timing of pre-workout meal

[oscarjones]

hey guys this may have already been asked... and i did a search without much good info.

so here goes... how long do you wait after eating your pre-workout meal and hitting the gym? does it vary whether you're cutting, bulking, or maintaining?

i've heard many different times. a buddy of mine who's a powerlifer says he has to be eating as he's walking in the door.

i on the other hand get really sick and sometimes crampy if i eat any sooner than like 45 mins to 1 hour before i workout, especially leg and back day.
any input is appreciated. thanks.

[kalspic]

i try to shoot for an hour and a half before

[Twist]

depends on your body. I am like your buddy. many are not. Just do what works for you. if you are one of those guys that can't eat before make sure you have a steak and some type of complex carb so that you are not left empty handed during your workout. get energy from things other than caffeine for your workout.

[the big 1]

Arnold always said wait two hours??? Personally, i eat my meal then take a half hour drive to the gym, by the time im actually working out its been 45-50 minutes since my pre wo meal, its all down to personal preference, just dont workout on a full stomach...

[Lil_bodybuilder]

I eat about an house befor gym. And 15min befor, i have a protein shake. 45gram protein and 64gram carbs.

[**TOP**]

The problem alot of people have with eating a big meal and volume training is that the blood is trying to compete for digestion,and also filling the muscles.Its also why they say you should wait 45 min after eating to go swimming. But like an earlier poster said ,figuring out what works best for you is what should be done.

[Critical Mass]

I take in 100gram oats and a can of tuna/chicken 1 hour before I head to the gym if that helps. I like working out on an empty stomach so the blood goes to the muscles instead of digesting the food.

[oscarjones]

Thanks for all the responses! That makes sense, the blood thing and digestion.

Sometimes I notice that when I wait longer after eating like over an hour... i fatigue quicker but my workouts are intense and i get a better pump quicker.

all preference i guess you're right!

[SuperLift]

ii wait about 1.5 hrs

[**TOP**]

Thanks for all the responses! That makes sense, the blood thing and digestion.

Sometimes I notice that when I wait longer after eating like over an hour... i fatigue quicker but my workouts are intense and i get a better pump quicker.

all preference i guess you're right!

Just figure out what is optimal for "oscarjones" and then apply!

[surferbrent87]

I like to time it where when im done working out its time to eat, say you eat every 2.5 hours and you train for an hour then i would eat about an hour to an hour and a half before working out so as soon as you leave the gym its time to eat

[Twist]

I think that when you take in no kinds of stimulants like caffeine your experience differs. I do not drink any type of caffeine or stimulant in any way so I rely completely on food for my energy. When I used to drink energy drinks then I was unable to eat before the gym. Now that I don't I need to eat otherwise my workouts suffer. I can really notice the difference.

[oscarjones]

I like to time it where when im done working out its time to eat, say you eat every 2.5 hours and you train for an hour then i would eat about an hour to an hour and a half before working out so as soon as you leave the gym its time to eat

that's good logic

I think that when you take in no kinds of stimulants like caffeine your experience differs. I do not drink any type of caffeine or stimulant in any way so I rely completely on food for my energy. When I used to drink energy drinks then I was unable to eat before the gym. Now that I don't I need to eat otherwise my workouts suffer. I can really notice the difference.

i agree. sometimes i'll have a meal then some green tea and after abs or my warmup i need to take a huge dump. i don't normally do caffeine.

[Twist]

I take like 5 shits a day... but that's cuz my diet is over the top

[Critical Mass]

I take like 5 shits a day... but that's cuz my diet is over the top

Me to.

[3day]

1 to 1 1/2 hours works best for me.I lift mid morning though so were talking about breakfast.For some reason i have no problems lifting just after eating @ night.

[hybrid83]

I need at least 2 hours before or I feel like a heifer in the gym. But like they said it depends because sometime 2 hours is 2 long and I get all shaky while I'm working out. I guess I still need to find my sweet spot. You also have to watch what you eat. For I while I was taking this carb drink called xplode something. It kept me feeling light. But gave me the carbs I needed to power through.

[krystal-diamond]

i have a pre wrk out shake like 30 min b4 wrking out

[zaggahamma]

i read in a magazine today where they advised having a shake b4 and during workouts

[krystal-diamond]

i read in a magazine today where they advised having a shake b4 and during workouts

i have it right b4 and after... wrks good 4 me..

[zaggahamma]

i have it right b4 and after... wrks good 4 me..

i used to eat right before and then a shake after but i thought i had read here to let the b4 digest b4 hitting the weights....guess the eating after IS THE MOST IMPORT

[krystal-diamond]

i used to eat right before and then a shake after but i thought i had read here to let the b4 digest b4 hitting the weights....guess the eating after IS THE MOST IMPORT

i think so 2. i have a shake within 15 min ater wrkin out.. then about 3o min after i eat my pwo meal.

[hybrid83]

i have it right b4 and after... wrks good 4 me..

I've tried that leaves me gassy as hell. Doesn't help when there are hot chicks around, and I'm trying to squat lol....Come on we've all let one go on a heavy rep hahah