Why do boxers wake up at 4:30am in the morning to run?

[boxer1234]

I realise its a mental strategy to prepare for the fight but couldn't it wait till during the day?

Surely a goodnights sleep is the most important thing!

[rjj tszyu]

Not all boxers do. Tyson used to get up early because he said it gave him the psycological edge over his opponent knowing they weren't doing it.

Also the air is cleaner at that time due to less traffic and therefore less polution to the lungs and cleaner breathing.

[Beanflicker]

^Good answer.

I always wondered this myself, surely if you are putting your body through the kind of physical and emotional stress one goes through while training for a fighter, a good night's sleep would be essential.

[Markusdarkus]

I think its a psycological thing.

I preffer a good nights sleep tbh.

[The Fightfan]

Not all boxers do. Tyson used to get up early because he said it gave him the psycological edge over his opponent knowing they weren't doing it.

Also the air is cleaner at that time due to less traffic and therefore less polution to the lungs and cleaner breathing.

That is right on the money. Do you realize how much shit is in the air at 4:30 in the afternoon as opposed to 4:30 in the morning.I don't want to get all global warming happy on ya but do the math this is the main reason.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Running very early in the morning, before taking in any foods forces the body into a catabolic state - eating itself.

This means at the start of training when a fighter may have a few extra pounds it is an excellent method of cutting fat.
Nearer to the fight these long early runs will be dropped in favour of short-fast carb fuelled runs.

[SweetPea]

Running very early in the morning, before taking in any foods forces the body into a catabolic state - eating itself.

This means at the start of training when a fighter may have a few extra pounds it is an excellent method of cutting fat.
Nearer to the fight these long early runs will be dropped in favour of short-fast carb fuelled runs.

I never knew this. Rep for teaching me something.

[Clanger]

They like to steal milk off doorsteps.

Since people buy it in the shops now, early morning runs are less popular.

"I listen to my body" is their excuse now !

[wesrman]

Running very early in the morning, before taking in any foods forces the body into a catabolic state - eating itself.

This means at the start of training when a fighter may have a few extra pounds it is an excellent method of cutting fat.
Nearer to the fight these long early runs will be dropped in favour of short-fast carb fuelled runs.

Most people think they shouldnt eat before exercise because they will burn more fat and calories that way. While this is somewhat true, and can be usefull when trying to cut weight fast (like donny said), it can also force your body into a catabolic state (again like donny said). Besides, you dont burn that much fat/calories during an hour or two of exercise. You lose fat because the exercise causes a boost in your metabolism. Which causes the body to burn calories faster, and use food as fuel much better for hours after exercise. This way there is much less catabolizing of your hard earned muscle.

I personally like to eat a solid meal about an hour and a half before a workout, but i know a lot of people that like to have a small meal of quick carbs (gateorade, fruit or juice) and fast protein (whey) about half hour before a workout.

This is especially true for anyone trying to add muscle.

[boxer1234]

Running very early in the morning, before taking in any foods forces the body into a catabolic state - eating itself.

This means at the start of training when a fighter may have a few extra pounds it is an excellent method of cutting fat.
Nearer to the fight these long early runs will be dropped in favour of short-fast carb fuelled runs.

Well, I dont see why you can't just wake up at normal time and do your running before breakfast.
Same thing

[wesrman]

Well, I dont see why you can't just wake up at normal time and do your running before breakfast.
Same thing

Most boxers work full time and go to the boxing gym after work. So getting their roadwork in early is the best option.

It could be any time obv.

[ono]

Running very early in the morning, before taking in any foods forces the body into a catabolic state - eating itself.

This means at the start of training when a fighter may have a few extra pounds it is an excellent method of cutting fat.
Nearer to the fight these long early runs will be dropped in favour of short-fast carb fuelled runs.

Training in a catabolic state is a bad idea.

I'll be going into it in my other thread when i get chance.

[Chris Nagel]

Running very early in the morning, before taking in any foods forces the body into a catabolic state - eating itself.

This means at the start of training when a fighter may have a few extra pounds it is an excellent method of cutting fat.
Nearer to the fight these long early runs will be dropped in favour of short-fast carb fuelled runs.

Training in a catabolic state is a bad idea.

I'll be going into it in my other thread when i get chance.

Your body pretty much uses up most of its glucose while you're sleeping, this is the first major source of energy that you use when you go for a run. If you fresh out of glucose, then your body will start converting the protein from your muscles into energy to burn. Moreover, it takes your body takes a few hours after waking to be ready to go full throttle with any vigorous exercise. In the morning your blood is little thicker than it is later in the day, this would mean your heart rate or blood pressure be higher than it would be if you were running in the afternoon.

However, there's more to consider. If you can't run at any other time but in the morning, then the benefits of running would far outweight the any loss of muscle mass. You could also also minimize the effects of catabolism by consuming some simple carbs, protein as well as amino acids and then giving your body enough time to get it in your system before you go and run.

[Master]

Not all boxers do. Tyson used to get up early because he said it gave him the psycological edge over his opponent knowing they weren't doing it.

Also the air is cleaner at that time due to less traffic and therefore less polution to the lungs and cleaner breathing.

That is right on the money. Do you realize how much shit is in the air at 4:30 in the afternoon as opposed to 4:30 in the morning.I don't want to get all global warming happy on ya but do the math this is the main reason.

Fighters have been running in the morning for years even before pollution was invented

[Trainer Monkey]

Pure masochism
No actually,alot of boxers still have jobs,you got to get a good run,get a shower,get cleaned up and punch in at the factory