Should You Workout On An Empty Stomach?
Greetings Athletes!
Should you workout on an empty stomach to burn more fat? That is a great question with a lot of different answers even from the experts. See what the following articles have to say about the pros and cons of working out on empty stomach.
Here is my bottom line broken out by groups of athletes:
Amateur Athlete
For the amateur athlete, there isn’t sufficient evidence to suggest that working out on an empty stomach would benefit you. There are potential downsides to eating on an empty stomach including exercise induced low blood sugar and the breakdown of protein (muscle) to supply the your energy needs during a workout. If you workout three times a week, my recommendation is to enjoy your workouts and not worry about the slight potential benefits that you might gain by working out on an empty stomach
Those Trying To Lose Weight
It gets a little trickier if you are trying to lose weight as you are looking for ways to maximize your fat reduction. My recommendation is to work with a professional and develop a weight management program that will focus on a holistic approach to losing weight. There are many other areas of focus that you should be worried about besides working out on an empty stomach. You should know your macro targets (percentage of Carbs, Protein and Fats) and need to have the right balance of workout routines which should include both cardio and resistance training. Starving yourself before a workout could also impact how you “recover” and may impact how “hungry” you feel after you workout.
Professional Athletes
If you are a professional athlete or bodybuilder, you should obviously follow the training regimen specified by your trainer. There could be potential benefits depending upon the sport you are involved with, or, potential downsides.
Bottom Line. For most of us, it doesn’t make sense to try to workout on an empty stomach as the cost/benefit ratio isn’t really there. Sure, you “may” see “some” benefit by working out on an empty stomach, but is it really worth the time and effort?
You are… Built For More,
John
Disclaimer: I am not a Nutritionist and any advice given here should not be construed as recommendations to diagnose or treat any medical condition. If you are under the care of a health care provider, you should follow the advice of your healthcare provider. The information provided here is for information and perspective only.