[spitboy2000]

What's your opinion on cardio on empty stomach in morning?

[excalibur]

Originally Posted by spitboy2000

What's your opinion on cardio on empty stomach in morning?

I think its not a good idea!....

I always use a protein shake 20-30 min before I do morningcardio that to prevent muscle catabolism..

[Swanson52]

I'm still trying to figure it all out. However, I have spent a lot of time doing cardio first thing in the AM on an empty stomach, then following it up with a meal containing 40-50g protein, and I have noticed no appreciable amount of catabolism versus eating something high in protein and low/no carbs prior to doing the AM cardio. Like everything else in training, probably individual-specific.

At least we should all agree AM cardio is the ****!

[Sheesh]

Read Me!

[DieTrying]

My feeling has always been that AM cardio on an empty stomach is a good thing as long as it is low-intensity (walking, bike-riding)..It has worked well for me.

[JBlaze]

Originally Posted by spitboy2000

What's your opinion on cardio on empty stomach in morning?

i agree w/ DT. I think it depends on the duration and intensity.

High intensity cardio for an hour and 15 minutes on an empty stomach is very difference from a 35 minute brisk walk on an emty stomach.

[PiKappaWRX]

i agree, low intensity in the AM is good, i did a highly intense cardio session in the morning a few times, and i get the feel like i'm taking a double-dose of ephedra. personally, i'm not a huge fan of the jitters and feeling your heart pump through your back.

[Paul2200]

Neither! The correct answer is...... (drumroll please)

"Depends"!! (No, not the diapers)

If one were planning to do very high intensity exercise, such as sprinting intervals, it would be a pretty bad idea. Catabolism would be a definite factor.

Moderate intensity cardio (65-75% max HR) for 30-60 minutes would be fine. Although many people think the whole "it burns fat directly" is nothing more than an old wives' tale.

[jminis]

It depends on bf%. Someone overweight I would suggest cardio in the AM on an empty tank, those at lower bf% (single digit) I would suggest 25g protein shake about a half hour before to prevent muscle breakdown.

[NPursuit]

From my experience AM cardio on an empty stomach is the best way to lose fat. I have much better results than if I do my cardio in the afternoon. My endurance is lower, but large doses of Clenbutrx take care of that.

[Manu20]

I agree...for me I have seen the best fat loss results doind cardio in the morning.

[Chunky]

I guess it depend of the intensity of cardio training.

Sure you can do HIIT on empty stomach too, and sure you can burn fat, but when you are concerned about muscle loss, I don't think it is a good idea.

[IHateGymMorons]

It's a great way to lose fat. Don't go too long, or don't be too intense, you may risk muscle mass. Take some glutamine/BCAA before if you can afford it.

[taffer]

i do fasted cardio only once a week, very low intensity (walking) for 30mins MAX
i figure at that rate, because walking burns a large amount of of fat for energy and not much glucose, so protein(muscle) will be spared, however, in your morning fasted state you will burn slightly more fat than after a meal, but keeping this very controlled so you dont sacrifice muscle mass, to lose a few extra pounds! but still burn a bit more fat, than if you were just walking after a few meals!

every little bit counts, but dont go overboard!

[SureShot]

First off, most HIIT sessions are 20-30min tops, you really think you are going to have that much muscle loss after a 20min workout a few times a week?

[taffer]

Originally Posted by SureShot

First off, most HIIT sessions are 20-30min tops, you really think you are going to have that much muscle loss after a 20min workout a few times a week?

yep, HIIT mainly uses glucose as an energy source (since your going at 85+% HR) if there is no glucose in your blood, your body will turn to body-proteins!

the advantage in HIIT is the "afterburn" the additional fat you lose by the increase in metabolism throughout the day!

i dont know if there is anyone that would recomend HIIT on an empty stomach, furthermore if you did try it, i wouldnt imagine you would get much of a workout without any energy!

[IHateGymMorons]

On a normal balanced type of diet, you would wake up with lower glycogen stores, they wouldn't be completely empty. A 15-20 HIIT session would hardly burn any muscle (if it did it'd be negligble) and would burn what's left of your morning glycogen stores. If you really want to play it on the safe side, you could walk on the treadmill at a 4-5% incline for about 30-40 minutes. The net calories burned would not be the same, but there's even less of a chance for burning muscle tissue. You can also supplement with glutamine and BCAA's if you're worried, this is almost a guaranteed defense against burning muscle during morning cardio.

[IHateGymMorons]

I would have to agree, though. Empty stomach is NOT the best time to do a serious HIIT session. It's almost like waking up and performing weight training on an empty stomach!