Pre-Workout Nutrition

[NateW]

I didnt find a thread on this so I thought Id start one. I am kind of clueless as to what to do for pre-workout. What is the best way to go? are there different techniques for different goals? Lets say you want to have a good workout but want to do some fat burning cardio at the end, do you avoid carbs? eat only protein? how long before your workout? also what is best before fasted cardio to avoid muscle loss? any advice would be much appreciated thanks.

[B-natural]

Originally Posted by NateWA

I didnt find a thread on this so I thought Id start one.
I am kind of clueless as to what to do for pre-workout. What is the best way to go? are there different techniques for different goals?

Lets say you want to have a good workout but want to do some fat burning cardio at the end, do you avoid carbs? eat only protein? how long before your workout?

also what is best before fasted cardio to avoid muscle loss? any advice would be much appreciated thanks.

Pre-workout is goal dependent, some prefer BCAA's, others don't, some prefer some form of an AA, which is goal dependent...
I prefer 3g AAKG, 3g Beta-Alanine, 3g Citrulline Malate, 200mg Raspberry Ketones, 1g Glucuronolactone...phosphatidylserine is of new interest to me as well...

I would sip the protein/bcaa mixture at the end of your workout and continue to sip throughout the cardio section...

fasted cardio is not beneficial, it was promoted by chemically enhanced bb-ers and has stuck around for too long, you are generally burning muscle and fat at the same rate...

No fasted cardio if you like the muscle you have...

[LBVT]

I typically just have a normal meal before working out. I think you need the carbs before lifting for the energy, so definitely ingest some complex carbs and protein before lifting.

[NateW]

thanks guys. Yeah I have tried like just a shake and no carbs before lifting in the morning cause I thought it would burn fat but I just felt like crap and had no energy. I'll def eat a meal now.

[temper35]

Originally Posted by B-natural

Pre-workout is goal dependent, some prefer BCAA's, others don't, some prefer some form of an AA, which is goal dependent...
I prefer 3g AAKG, 3g Beta-Alanine, 3g Citrulline Malate, 200mg Raspberry Ketones, 1g Glucuronolactone...phosphatidylserine is of new interest to me as well...

I would sip the protein/bcaa mixture at the end of your workout and continue to sip throughout the cardio section...

fasted cardio is not beneficial, it was promoted by chemically enhanced bb-ers and has stuck around for too long, you are generally burning muscle and fat at the same rate...

No fasted cardio if you like the muscle you have...

I don't agree. To think that 30 minutes of cardio on an empty stomach is just going to eat your muscle is crazy. I'm not saying that the subsequent rise in cortisol levels won't trigger catabolism, but still, it isn't a 2 hour run.I don't think there is any harm whatsoever in doing low intensity cardio either upon rising or post workout. Overanalyzing things like this are going to keep people at a standstill.

I think that mixing high intensity cardio(eat pre and post workout meals just as if you were weight training) and low intensity cardio in a fasted state is the best way to lose fat. Some people only need HIIT cardio.

[NateW]

I have heard taking in glutamine before fasted cardio should protect against muscle loss to some degree and wont raise insulin levels.

[LBVT]

I think people worry way too much about muscle loss due to fasted running. Unless you're competing in the Mr. O, I don't think doing fasted cardio is going to hinder any of your gains.

[B-natural]

Originally Posted by temper35

I don't agree. To think that 30 minutes of cardio on an empty stomach is just going to eat your muscle is crazy. I'm not saying that the subsequent rise in cortisol levels won't trigger catabolism, but still, it isn't a 2 hour run.I don't think there is any harm whatsoever in doing low intensity cardio either upon rising or post workout. Overanalyzing things like this are going to keep people at a standstill.

I think that mixing high intensity cardio(eat pre and post workout meals just as if you were weight training) and low intensity cardio in a fasted state is the best way to lose fat. Some people only need HIIT cardio.

do you have articles, or are you just sayin, hey its not so bad....
think about it.... you are going on 6-8hrs with no food, then you get up and do a "fat burning" (lol) aka low intensity cardio session?

I also didn't say just muscle, but a your muscles will be broken down to aid in this workout... whens the last time you didn't eat for 6-8hrs, then thought cardio was a good idea? just a question....

With future books coming out from reputable authors, you'll see that your hamster wheel approach is less than stellar, and walking for the purpose of fat loss is a waste....

Not tryin to be a dick here, but read up, seriously the info on low intensity cardio being a waste is out there. The only ppl pushing the low intensity cardio are usually in bb-ing magz, and its recommended by bb-ers, as they've been taught. Yes it works, but again, is it the best or better choice, I'd have to say NO.

[B-natural]

Originally Posted by LBVT

I think people worry way too much about muscle loss due to fasted running. Unless you're competing in the Mr. O, I don't think doing fasted cardio is going to hinder any of your gains.

The addition of being in Mr.O makes no sense here, its those fellas that say to do fasted cardio as its the best option, which is completely false...

You are slightly depleted of glycogen, yes, but it doesn't mean that your body just up and goes for fats....

and I think it is a good idea to worry about muscle loss while fasted, being HYPOCALORIC causes the release of cortisol and an abundant amount is released during this fasted cardio... so when you eat afterwards, your catabolic state will generally cause your freshly digested meal to be stored as fat, some as glycogen, but mostly fat due to the constant need to store, since you will be doing a daily session of fasted cardio....

Don't just jump in when one guy responds and says that low intensity and fasted cardio is ok, know what you are saying, have some info on it, that truly supports it....

Why is it better or why is it your preferred choice? because others say its ok, you should truly look at what is burned during that fasted session...

At least have some BCAA's before or during this, at least your body has something to burn or your body can replenish SOME of the stores pulled and depleted from your muscles....