Deadlifts in the Morning?

[svd201]

I checked out Stuart McGill's "Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance" because I have a history of herniated disks and sciatica. (I still feel some mild pain several times a week.) Anyway, the only time I have to work out is before work in the morning and McGill says that squats and deadlifts are dangerous to do within two hours of waking. This is because the disks are still filled with excess fluid from sleeping.

I can't stop doing squats and deads/RDLs, and I can only workout in the morning. What should I do? Any way to protect myself against the risk of herniating another disk? Anyone else in the same boat?

[Lost Dog]

As crazy as this sounds, when I workout out in the AM, I got up two hours before workout time. I make my food for the week, answered some work emails, cleaned the bathrooms, etc. I actually got a lot accomplished in a short amount of time.

I didn't do this every day. I planned it around squat and deadlift days. Monday (cooking lunches for the week) and Wednesday mornings (cleaning), for instance.

Also, if you're doing full body workouts, if your higher rep "finishers" are squat or dl based, you may already have been up two hours by the time you get to those.

Hope this helps.

[LT Hebert]

I work out in the morning, and if I had to get up 2 hours early when I do squats, etc. that would put me getting up at 3 AM. I'm dedicated, but NOT that dedicated. I've been doing it this way for a long time, and the morning is the only option for me. Am I really at that big a risk for injury?

[Blackjack]

I'm with lthebert, I've been working out first thing in the a.m. for about two years now. I've never avoided deads or squats and have never had a problem. However, I would say to listen to your body, if you back feels stiff or if you (God forbid) get injured, this may be an indication that it's not a good idea for you. Try it and see what happens, may or may not be an issue for you.

Ted