Should You Work Out on an Empty Stomach?

Many people believe that working out on an empty stomach will burn more calories and more fat than a workout done after consuming a snack. The premise is that the body will have lower blood sugar levels and this will in turn promote more fat burning. While it is true that you do burn more fat while on an empty stomach, you also break down more muscle tissue at the same time. This causes a negative result for your workouts!

Instead of working out on an empty stomach, try having 200-500ml of water one hour before your workout and have a snack of 100-300 calories. This will give you carbohydrates that will be energy for the workout so you don’t bonk, and the carbs actually help with fat loss. The water will help your muscle to work at optimum levels so you receive the greatest possible benefit from all your hard work.