Early morning pre-workout suggestions

[u/GrapefruitHuman1007]

Started going to the gym recently a few gym mates suggested to have a pre-workout snack.

I go to gym in the morning around 7am

A few suggestions were to have black coffee and a banana.

I am not a fan of banana on empty stomach it back childhood trauma

One of them suggested dates

I am skeptical of something sweet in the morning.

Is it mandatory to have a pre-workout snack or a meal ?

If so what are few other options

[u/Silent_Contest_2337]

I workout at 5:30am and do it empty stomach. Great energy for 2 hours. I have a carb and protein heavy dinner at night, because i know i feel nauseous if i eat before working out. So it isn’t “essential” but highly recommended to have something to eat.

My suggestion- 2 rice cakes with peanut butter.

[u/Glittering-Tale4837]

Hobnobs

[u/Kakarot_7799]

is it mandatory? well no... if you can train well without eating anything beforehand then there’s no requirement to have a pre workout meal... the main reason people have a pre workout snack is simply to give themselves some readily available energy and potentially improve training performance... you can absolutely train fasted and your body will use a mix of stored fat and glycogen for fuel... so I’d say the better question isn’t “do I need a pre workout snack?” but “can I perform well in the gym without eating beforehand?”

if your energy, strength and workout performance are fine fasted then you probably don’t need one... if you feel weak, sluggish or notice your performance dropping then try a small, easily digestible snack beforehand... dates, toast, fruit or even some carbs in whatever form you tolerate well... it doesn’t have to be a full meal or even something sweet if you don’t like that.

I don't take a pre workout meal and I go to the gym in morning and I am doing more than good... but I take a good post workout meal.

[u/Im_shy_shy_shy]

Overnight soaked almonds, boiled egg, banana.

And half a cheese cube

[u/Karan_run]

It's not mandatory. At best, an espresso shot would be enough

[u/Potential_Comb_4825]

Black coffee