Are intra workout carbs necessary if you consume a meal 1-1/2 hours before training?

[LoveCompeting]

I see many intra workout carb supplements out there currently. I always make sure I get a meal in me about 1 - 1/2 hours before I train. Only time I will not do this is when I am performing fasted cardio in the morning. If I take in a meal before I train, are intra workout carbs a waste of money or beneficial to supplement with?

 

[mbonheur]

It depends on your goals I guess. I add carbs intra for my heavy compound lifting sessions and it definitely makes a big difference.

 

[LoveCompeting]

It depends on your goals I guess. I add carbs intra for my heavy compound lifting sessions and it definitely makes a big difference.

Alright well thank you for the feedback. I am currently bulking after prepping for the two shows I competed in earlier this year in May and June. I recently added an intra carb supplement to my stack so I was just curious to see what your opinions were on using one.

 

[The Solution]

Nothing is “necessary”
Per say but there is an easy answer to this

Do 2 weeks with your calories the same and no intra workout carbs

Do 2 weeks with calories the same and allocating some carbs intra

See how you respond and go from there . Trial and error is the answer here

 

[Whisky]

Sooo many variables and individuality at play I just don’t think you can call it either way.

Generally speaking the difference isn’t going to be huge but clearly if your competing then every little 1% is key.

T nation have loads of articles on the importance of peri workout nutrition......however, big studies have shown that nutrition timing throughout the day has no statistical impact on body composition.

Exactly as TheSolution says, try both and see what works best for you. Me personally, I don’t notice any difference in the quality of my session at all.

 

[AntM1564]

I see many intra workout carb supplements out there currently. I always make sure I get a meal in me about 1 - 1/2 hours before I train. Only time I will not do this is when I am performing fasted cardio in the morning. If I take in a meal before I train, are intra workout carbs a waste of money or beneficial to supplement with?

Sooo many variables and individuality at play I just don’t think you can call it either way.

Generally speaking the difference isn’t going to be huge but clearly if your competing then every little 1% is key.

T nation have loads of articles on the importance of peri workout nutrition......however, big studies have shown that nutrition timing throughout the day has no statistical impact on body composition.

Exactly as TheSolution says, try both and see what works best for you. Me personally, I don’t notice any difference in the quality of my session at all.

I love T-Nation, but sometimes they cherry pick the studies they use. Studies that back their products and their intra has carbs.

I have been experiencing with intra workout carbs for a few months now OP. My timing is 1.5-2.5 hours pre workout. I do not use intra carbs on my hypertrophy days, where I lift with lighter weights, more reps, and less rest time. I find that because I am in and out, I do not need them.

However, on my heavy 5/3/1 days, I do use intra workout carbs. On my heavy push day, I can only get one small meal in pre workout, so I have found the carbs help me get through the workout. I use them on my heavy pull and leg day even though I can get another meal in pre workout. My number one reason is because I cannot eat a lot pre workout before I deadlift or squat. Even if I wait close to three hours before lifting, I feel too bogged down. So those carbs intra help me get through those sessions as well.

If you do use intra workout carbs, I would say experiment for yourself, do not jump on a supplement per say. Go with Gatorade powder first, it is a lot cheaper. Some people do not like Gatorade because it bloats them. If that happens to you, look for a supplement. I like Glycofuse and Super Carb.

Right now, I just use Orange Gatorade powder and Orange IntraMax, works like a charm.

 

[muscleupcrohn]

I love T-Nation, but sometimes they cherry pick the studies they use. Studies that back their products and their intra has carbs.

I have been experiencing with intra workout carbs for a few months now OP. My timing is 1.5-2.5 hours pre workout. I do not use intra carbs on my hypertrophy days, where I lift with lighter weights, more reps, and less rest time. I find that because I am in and out, I do not need them.

However, on my heavy 5/3/1 days, I do use intra workout carbs. On my heavy push day, I can only get one small meal in pre workout, so I have found the carbs help me get through the workout. I use them on my heavy pull and leg day even though I can get another meal in pre workout. My number one reason is because I cannot eat a lot pre workout before I deadlift or squat. Even if I wait close to three hours before lifting, I feel too bogged down. So those carbs intra help me get through those sessions as well.

If you do use intra workout carbs, I would say experiment for yourself, do not jump on a supplement per say. Go with Gatorade powder first, it is a lot cheaper. Some people do not like Gatorade because it bloats them. If that happens to you, look for a supplement. I like Glycofuse and Super Carb.

Right now, I just use Orange Gatorade powder and Orange IntraMax, works like a charm.

This. Orange Gatorade with IntraMax is my go to. I have a moderate carb meal about 1.5-2 hours before hitting the gym, and I enjoy intra-workout carbs, but it isn’t an absolute necessity really. It does help if I’m bulking; extra calories/carbs, and if I’m doing long workouts.

 

[rodefeeh]

I just subscribed to John Meadows' youtube channel not too long ago. He said even if you have a good preworkout meal that you still should have some intraworkout carbs purely for recovery. Now you'll have to note that he makes an intraworkout supplement.

Just another opinion/viewpoint to add.

 

[john.patterson]

I have always found intra carbs to improve training endurance and help with recovery. Even if I eat a balanced meal 1-2hr before training, drinking 30-40g intra helps me to keep my energy through the end of my training, and I find that I recover quicker. I also notice a much better pump when I drink carbs during my workout too.

I would experiment with and without it to see if you notice it.

 

[LoveCompeting]

Well I have to admit I really enjoy intra workout carbs and are a firm believer in them during a workout now. Been using them the last couple weeks and gotta say I just feel more focused and refreshed when I sip on them during workouts. A pre workout meal only goes so far and I believe that if you don't use intra carbs your gas tank will always be half empty instead of full. I also sometimes will take some gummy bears and pop them also in the middle of a workout if its very intense. That helps big time as well not allowing blood sugar levels to get too low which can be dangerous.

 

[AntM1564]

I just subscribed to John Meadows' youtube channel not too long ago. He said even if you have a good preworkout meal that you still should have some intraworkout carbs purely for recovery. Now you'll have to note that he makes an intraworkout supplement.

Just another opinion/viewpoint to add.

I'm pretty sure he advocated intra carbs before he got in the supplement game.

 

[AlexPowell]

The people that say you need intra workout nutrition are the same people that sell intra workout nutrition

 

[3clipseGT]

I just subscribed to John Meadows' youtube channel not too long ago. He said even if you have a good preworkout meal that you still should have some intraworkout carbs purely for recovery. Now you'll have to note that he makes an intraworkout supplement.

Just another opinion/viewpoint to add.

He recommended them before he ever launched his supplement company. I used him for diets and training back in 2012/2013 and he had me use intracarbs and eaas then.

 

[muscleupcrohn]

For the less than $0.25/serving that Gatorade powder costs, I enjoy the intra-workout carbs. I personally tolerate it fine, so I personally don't see a reason to spend more on fancy carbs, but some people don't tolerate it all that well I suppose. I do enjoy intra-workout carbs and EAAs, particularly if I'm working out after not eating much at all in the morning, or if it's been several hours since I had a meal.

 

[Aleksandar37]

He recommended them before he ever launched his supplement company. I used him for diets and training back in 2012/2013 and he had me use intracarbs and eaas then.

Exactly this. It just makes sense that if you're going to find benefit in something and drive people to buy other people's products, you might as well make some money off of it as well. John has bills to pay like anybody else, but he's a very honest person.

 

[AntM1564]

For the less than $0.25/serving that Gatorade powder costs, I enjoy the intra-workout carbs. I personally tolerate it fine, so I personally don't see a reason to spend more on fancy carbs, but some people don't tolerate it all that well I suppose. I do enjoy intra-workout carbs and EAAs, particularly if I'm working out after not eating much at all in the morning, or if it's been several hours since I had a meal.

I am the same. Gatorade works fine for me. It is easy to use with some products, but more difficult with others. For example Orange Gatorade and Orange IntraMax. I do keep unflavored Gylcofuse on hand because I have some aminos that would not mix well with orange gatorade and some flavors that wouldn't mix well with any Gatorade flavors.