Switching from Evening to Morning Training

[rickhussey]

I have tried a few times to train in the morning, but I find that I feel so very weak in the early hours. Any advice on how to make the switch painless? Will I adjust after some time?

I want to make the change soon since the wife and I just found out we are having twins next Oct/Nov! I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old already, so I sense that I will not have the opportunity to train during the evening or night. My other thought is that I will train only on the weekends.

[dopar66]

First and most important, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! To both you and the Missus!

Okay, I had to make the switch for 1/2 the same reason (one son, not twins). It took two to three months to adjust. One study will tell you the testosterone is higher in the morning, so that's the best time anyway. Another study will tell you mid-day to early afternoon is better because your body core temperature is up. I have found now that if I try to train any time other than the morning I just don't feel right. So I'm apt to swing towards the testosterone theory. However, and that should be all caps, if I were to go back to afternoons consistently, I'd probably prefer that.......

So here's the only two cents I have to offer. Do an extra set or two of warmups until you're used to the new schedule, but do them in more rapid succession, say 1 minute between warmups instead of two. And go into it with the understanding your clock is off and will be off for perhaps a coupla months.

All the best to you and the family!

God Bless.

[chancey]

No Mountain Dew?

[biglifter]

Hey Rick. Congrats!!!!!!!!!! That's great news. Just my experience/perspective, but you might want to do that weekend thing for awhile. Maybe split 1/2 and 1/2 to get all the groups on 2 successive days. I've tried the morning thing a few times and while I felt energized afterwards, I just can't amp up the intensity without a few meals in me and hours to look forward to train. And that's the numero uno goal for what we do is to approach the days' training with the best focus you can produce ((opinion)). If it's feasible, I put together a very basic home gym, and after my kids were born just snuck away during the few calm moments. All that being said, ya gotta do what ya gotta do .

[rickhussey]

Nice comment Chancey. You had me chuckling. Thanks for all comments. I do have a home gym (power rack, olympic weights), so logistics isn't a problem, but I do anticipate having an unpredictable schedule. At least for 12-18 months.

But when all is said and done, I will have spotters galore in about 15 years. Course they will be spotting me when I'm climbing stairs and shuffling to get the newspaper.

[Deleted]

Congratulations to you and your family, Rick! When my daughter wzs first born (10 years ago), I was working out at a World gym and switched to working out before work, which started at 7 a.m. So would leave my house between 4:30 a.m and 4:45 a.m. to get to the gym and get in a hour to hour and a half workout. I showered and changed there and headed to work. I did this for about 4 months, when the gym closed down. During this time it took me several weeks to be able to workout without getting a headache. Eventually I adjusted, but I had a difficult time going heavy. After the gym closed down, and I tried another, I finally decided to move all of my equipment (which was gathering dust in my folks garage), into my garage. Best lifting decision I've ever made. Now it is always open when I want to workout!! I also switched to working out at night - once I kid the kids to bed. The lsson is you need to do what you need to do, be willing to adjust, and maybe think about setting up a home gym for yourself (and the wife too!).

[3speed]

Congratulations!!

I tried working out in the early AM a few years. My hat is off to those who can do it. I was never able to go very heavy without pain during and after the workout. Besides that, I need at least 2 good meals in me before I attack squats or deads.

I switched to working out only 1 day a week because of my schedule. I dreaded it to begin with because I thought it was going to be much harder than it actually is. I generally do leg presses, bench, and deads one week followed by squats and bench the following week. It has actually become my preferred way to workout now primarily because it allows me more time with my family but also because I hit it, get it done, and I'm through for the week. I wouldn't go back to a 3 or 4 day split now if I had the time. The only change I might make is a light bench day thrown in somewhere.

Work on some cardio now.....you're gonna need it soon. ;D