What is your PRE-workout routine?

[cantdrv55]

My wife drinks a protein shake and a tall glass of water then heads off to an hour long CrossFit workout. She’s starved by the time she gets home.

I, on the other hand, will have the same shake plus a sammich and a tall glass of water. I’ll either do a quick paced 3.5 mile hike or lift weights for an hour, depending on the day. I’ll do an ab workout everyday but absolutely hate those. Anyway when I’m done, I can’t eat for a few hours.

Our routines work for us but I’m wondering what you do and how it’s working for you. Do you eat immediately after exercise?

[Jeff Higgins]

Coupla beers. Carb loading.

Seriously, though, I get right up out of bed and hit the gym before eating or drinking anything. I'm done, back home, and in the shower before my wife even stirs. When I get out of the shower, we share breakfast and a cup of coffee. I usually have a bowl of oatmeal or cold cereal with milk.

[rwest]

I tend to cramp if I eat much before going running. I might eat if It is going to be several hours before I run, otherwise I might have a bit of chocolate bar, some Swedish Fish and some Gatorade.

If I’m going on a bike ride, I can eat most anything before and during as long as I don’t stuff myself.

Afterwards I raid the fridge and cupboards!

[greglepore]

Sometimes I eat nothing, but I try to consume 60-90g of carbs every hour or so in liquid form while on the bike (usually a 2:1 maltodextrin//fructose homemade mix with grapefruit flavoring). If I do eat, unless its something simple like a bowl of rice with soy or other non spicy flavoring, it has to be at least an hour before. Try to take in caffeine in some form prior as it does help with perceived effort; there is a liquid product that I can have in water (much less acidic than coffee, but I do like my espresso). Can also add that to the carb bottle to keep topped up.
After, a protein shake, usually.

[herr_oberst]

Like Greg, my "main" workout is cycling, so carbs and protein less than an hour before. Usually an egg sandwich and a shake with protein powder, spinach, oat milk blueberries and a banana. It's a lot, but I have a fast metabolism, and except for the egg, that combination is easily digested. An electrolyte gel or a power bar every hour while I'm pedaling. One nuun tablet in one bottle, the other is clear water. My heartrate is about 145 average, max 175 or so according to my monitor.
I know what it is to bonk and I don't like it.

Beet root powder helps the recovery. That and fig newtons.

[gacook]

BCAAs and Creatine roughly 20-30 minutes before the workout, water during, protein shake after.

Can eat (but don't like to) before lifting weights; can NOT eat before running.

I'm working out with my son now, and he prefers to go after dinner, so I accommodate him, though I'd rather go before dinner. On my run days, I just don't eat the evening meal till we're done.

[manbridge 74]

Haven’t worked out in 20 years but when I did it was half a cup of coffee and an aspirin 30 minutes before lifting. I found I could push a lot harder. I was at 7500 feet above sea level back then so YMMV.

[Zeke]

Gotta take a crap. The rest is optional.

[Marine Blue]

Great topic and kinda cool to glean information from others who maintain a workout routine.

I typically start with a tall glass of water followed by a couple shots of espresso before hopping on the Peloton or doing a strength workout. I’ve tried eating before workout but it definitely doesn’t agree with me.

If I’m going more than 45 minutes I’ll throw in some Tailwind in the water bottle to boost my glucose.

[Esel Mann]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Gotta take a crap. The rest is optional.

Yep. Nothing more miserable than running with kids that want to be dropped off at the pool.

[cantdrv55]

I wish I could crap before my workouts but I’m a 10 am crapper.

[cantdrv55]

I used to be able to drink coffee before food but not anymore. Shots of espresso before any exercise would give me so much energy.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Just stretching before a bike ride or run. Never go far enough that food before is an issue. Always ravenous after a ride or run.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I wish I could crap before my workouts but I’m a 10 am crapper.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Gotta take a crap. The rest is optional.

Pretty much.

I get up, have my morning constitutional, then walk the dogs, that's it.

Had a friend of mine ask me what I did to stay fit, and was surprised when I told him I walk the dogs every day. You have to understand, we are talking two dogs that are about a hundred pounds each, with a healthy interest in turkey, pheasant, squirrel, cat, whatever. That, combined with fortunate genetics, is all it seems to take.

Dogs don't care about hummingbirds though.

[astrochex]

My gym time is after work. I simply make sure I have eaten enough and attempt to stay hydrated. At the gym, the warmup routine is always prescribed stretching and light exercises.

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by astrochex

My gym time is after work. I simply make sure I have eaten enough and attempt to stay hydrated. At the gym, the warmup routine is always prescribed stretching and light exercises.

Same. I have tried pre-workout supplements w/o seeing much change other than getting jacked up on caffeine, which for me does not help my workout quality and increases cramping.

[wdfifteen]

I have a cup of coffee, and do the daily crossword before I get serious about the day.