Cardio on empty stomach - good or bad?

[Riprorin]

I haven't been able to get a definitive answer to this.

I do my cardio first thing in the morning on an empy stomach. Is there any risk of burning lean muscle?

 

[ColonelMustard]

There are both pros and cons to morning cardio. Bodybuilding.com had a huge thread on this, I suggest you check it out
Bodybuilding.com's Morning Cardio Thread

 

[Megamorph]

Cardio first thing in the a.m. is the absolute most effective time to do it (on an empty stomach). There is always a risk of burning lean muscle when doing cardio.

 

[TubStain]

You burn a lot more fat when doing cardio early in the morning on an empty stomach, as opposed to in the afternoon/evening.

Your carb levels are really low after waking up when you havent had anything to eat all night, so your body looks for other sources of energy, namely fat. Most of this fat is used post workout though.

 

[Geekbabe]

I walk a 1/2 hour to work at 6:30am most mornings,there's a lot of incline culminating in a HUGE hill that could be used as a ski slope,I vary my pace and find that it's a lot more effective than walking further but later in the day.I also don't eat till later in the morning.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I agree that cardio in the morning is best, but I find it's much harder to complete my daily 2-miles in the morning as compared to the evening. I know why, and it's the same reason that cardio in the morning burns fat -- no carbs in my system.

 

[alkemyst]

First are you overwieght....if not there is no reason to do cardio on an empty stomach/glycogen depleted body. There is a danger to burn lean mass yes.

If you are overwieght your body hopefully turns to the fat stores more than attacking your muscle....

What's your goal?

 

[whaleskinrug]

I do cardio in the evenings (usually 9-10pm) after I have eaten, but I am not trying to lose or gain any weight.

 

[Riprorin]

No, I'm not overweight - 5'8" x 150 lbs with about 13% body fat. I'm 43 by the way.

Here's a recent pic: Pic

I'd like to burn a little more fat, but mainly I just want to be fit.

Running/biking is most convenient for me before work and I don't get up early enough to get breakfast before my workout.

 

[whaleskinrug]

you look good! If you have the energy to run on an empty stomach then go for it -- but try to eat soon after.