Best Time to Workout

[tbfrancis]

Is it better to workout in the morning or evening, or does it even matter.

[Leigh P.]

what matters the most is what time that you can give your 100% to your workout. So you figure out when that is and make sure nutrition is of #1 importance and you are good to go:)

[SumthinOrNuthin]

I prefer evenings for 2 reasons. One, I'm just not a morning person at all and find it difficult to get out of bed and get myself going. Two, I feel I get a better workout and am stronger after I've got 3 or 4 meals down :)

[terracotta]

what matters the most is what time that you can give your 100% to your workout. So you figure out when that is and make sure nutrition is of #1 importance and you are good to go:)

I agree, it depends on you. I am unable to get a good workout going in the mornings.. just not a morning person. I exercise about 7pm at night.

[Amanda76]

Another vote for it depends on you. :)

I personally can do steady state cardio or cardio where the intensity gradually increases in the morning. But that's about it. No sprints, no lifting. I'm not a morning person and anything that requires concentration is out. My brain can sleep while my body goes through the motions of easy cardio. :)

So far as anything that requires concentration and intensity goes, I'm at my best in the evenings. Aside from the fact that it takes me a long time to wake up, I think that having at least a couple of meals in me also enables me to perform better.

I have also read that the loosening/relaxing of joints overnight hurts your ability to lift (considering how uncoordinated I am in the morning, I'd say that's true for me). Also, cortisol levels are highest in the morning and while the hormone is beneficial to "waking up" it hurts your body's response to lifting (is catabolic and decreases protein sythesis). I'm not sure how much that really would effect a person's ability to make progress by lifting in the mornings (obviously, people do), but I suppose it's something to consider.

[twinnett]

I have a lot more energy in the morning..up to you..what fits best in your schedule? When do you have energy? Also, my gym is crazy busy at night..hate it!

[TurbulentFluid]

I agree with all the upper posts. Tho I'm curious, have there been studies involving daily hormonal cycles, and time of workout? In the sense that higher levels of some hormone (testosterone?) might produce better w/o results at a particular time of day?

[tbfrancis]

Thanks for all the great advice. I like working out in the afternoon. I just don't have the time sometimes.

[IronIc]

The best time to work out is when you can make time for it! :) I am definitely NOT a morning person :p


~I

[samizmom]

I prefer night time. You have more energy at night, metabolically that is.
It's hard to work out first thing in the morning, because everything is moving in slow motion, you haven't eaten anything and your blood sugar is way too low. Unless you have a lot of time to kill in the morning. Then you can wake up, relax for a bit, eat a healthy breakfast and an hour later, go to it! I on the other hand, would have to wake up at 4:30am to work out before work, so night time is the only time for me. If you work out no later than 9pm, you'll still be able to sleep come midnight, maybe even sooner!
I never have trouble falling asleep after a workout.

[Brendabep]

I perfer mornings. I have more engery when I wake thhan later on. I slow down once I get meals in me. And also I able get my wo done with no interuptions. MY spelling sucks sorry. Just like everybody else its what works for you.

[smdiskin]

From what I've read, physiologically it is better to train in teh afternoon or evening when your body has warmed up properly for daily activities...
Realistically it is better to train when it is convenient for you as you are more likely to kepp coming back.... I'm a 6am girl... not always good... but I know that by 5pm I'm just not up for it most days...