Is there any truth to the claim that you should wait (at least) an hour after you wake up, before you start a workout. I've heard something about "the back is not lubricated enough before that" but that doesn't make sense in my opinion.
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3To be honest, as I don't have enough time to wait around after I get up, I generally get up around 5am and start working out about 530, and have never had any problems. But I'm also not everybody.– James MertzMar 2, 2011 at 12:33
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That's basically what I do. I get up at 5am and aim to hit the weights at around 5:45 (I warm up with 100 Jumping Jacks first). It was when I described this that I got this claim shot back at me. I've since seen it repeated on some (but certainly not all) workout-related webpages.– PaulReinMar 2, 2011 at 14:04
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1Like @PaulRein said, warm-ups are important. Mostly because your body is going from a more-than-resting state to active workout. The only thing you have to be really careful about is taking it slow. You aren't fully awake mentally so your coordination will be a little sluggish or off kilter. BTW, I have done a lot of both lifting and running immediately after waking up in the past.– Evan PlaiceMar 29, 2011 at 19:13
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About 'warming-up': stretching before any exercise can increase the risk of injury, but dynamic and limited motions like jumping jacks are harmless.– MerrittApr 4, 2012 at 22:24
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1@Merritt Do you have links to studies that support this? I’ve mostly seen that pre-exercise stretching doesn’t prevent injuries, or can decrease performance, or under-/over-flexibility may increase injuries, but nothing directly relating stretching to injury. I’d be interested in reading about how it can be causative.– Dave NewtonSep 6, 2021 at 13:56
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6 Answers
I haven't seen any scientific proof as to whether you should or shouldn't work out straight out of bed.
While you might be a little stiff at first, simply strolling for five minutes should be more than enough to get everything going. Sitting indoors for one hour won't nearly stress your body as much as just walking a little bit.
So as long as you start the workout a little relaxed, there's probably nothing bad that could happen to you. As for pulling a muscle or straining your back: listen to your body! If it starts complaining, slow down and take it easy, nobody said you should be pushing yourself and there's zero benefit to getting injured.
I agree with @Eelvex that making sure you drink something before you go (or taking something with you) is important, because you probably didn't drink anything for the past 6-8 hours. For the rest, your body will adjust itself quickly enough when you start walking.
I have no experience with weight lifting in the morning, but I reckon the same applies there: start with something light to get the blood flow going and increase the loads from there
answered Mar 2, 2011 at 12:13
According to StrongLifts.com, the theory behind not working out within the first hour of waking is actually the opposite to the one you mention - it's because the spine is too well hydrated and heavy compression (e.g. from weight lifting) or bending movements could cause a disk to rupture.
Bottom line is that you should never do any kind of exercise during the first hour after waking up. Here’s why: when you’re lying horizontally for hours, like when you’re sleeping, your back has no compressive loading. As a result, water fills back into your discs to nourish them. That’s the nightly hydration.
Now imagine your discs are water balloons. If they’re half full and you push one side, the water will move around and return when you let go. But if they’re full of water, they can burst when you push. Well this is exactly what can happen to your spine if you do any kind of heavy bending first thing in the morning.
The good news as Dr Stuart McGill explained in his book "Low Back Disorders" is that after the first hour of being up, your spine dehydrates by about 90% of what it will for that day (this is why you’re taller in the morning). So the risk of lower back injuries plummets after that first hour.
Apparently it takes about an hour or so for the fluid to drain out once you get up, hence the suggestion for waiting an hour before exercising. However a good warm up can supposedly help speed up this process. Dr Stuart McGill's claim does seem to be backed up by at least one study on PubMed.
Personally, I lift weights most mornings within about 45 mins of waking. I normally spend some time stretching my back on the foam roller first and always do a good warm-up (e.g. dynamic stretches or light weight versions of the exercises I will be performing). Obviously it's important to listen to your body and if something doesn't feel right then stop, but I haven't had any problems so far (and I actually broke my back a few years ago so I'm quite cautious). YMMV.
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@claws - I've updated my answer to include some further references. It seems there is evidence to support the claim.– GrantAug 19, 2014 at 8:38
Given how difficult it is for the average person to maintain a regular exercise routine, I would encourage exercising first thing in the morning if that makes it more likely that you will exercise that day. Just give yourself some extra time during your warm-up.
It is good to delay a morning workout until you reach proper hydration and pressure levels (among other things).
To wait one hour is just a guideline. If you want to get up and have an easy work out right away, I don't see why not (if you feel that you can).
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How long does it take for the body to become hydrated? Is there a particular level that should be achieved? Mar 2, 2011 at 12:34
I find swimming great first thing in the morning, if this can complement your work out (assuming you are not restricted to lifting weights)
I have been working out in early morning (around 4.30 am) on empty stomach for past 6 months. I have yet to see negative effects on my body, but I have seen huge improvement in my strength, stamina and look.
I usually start with 20 minutes cardio which usually take care of everything (stiff body, hydration yada yada yada) and then I start hitting weights for about 45 min to an hour depending on body part I'm training. I drink a regular shaker bottle full of water and a 200mg caffeine pill right after I wake up and before I start getting ready for the gym.
Everybody has their different opinion about everything, what matters most is what is working out for you.
