Lift before or after work?

TheKraken · 11-11-2009, 09:43 AM

I have a fairly physical job, moving and stacking baggage at the airport, and I'm wondering whether its best to lift before or after. I've tried both ways, and can manage either. Doing it after work has the benifit of already having the muscles warmed up from 9 hours of activity, but I worry that I don't put as much effort into it due to exhaustion. Lifting before work I have more energy but I'm not really letting the muscles rest afterwards as I then must go and work them for many more hours. Any advice is welcome.

FlexinMike · 11-11-2009, 09:47 AM

I lift after work. I find it gives me more time to warm up and stretch throughout the day. Plus and stress from the day can be worked out of my system.

rnicholes · 11-11-2009, 10:10 AM

yea,after work,I've tried in the mornings before work,and just don't seen to have the energy I need to do it right,and the weights sure to help melt the sress of a workday away.

Peanut_Butter · 11-11-2009, 10:11 AM

id suggest before work... too tired sometimes to do it after

Tifflex · 11-11-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKraken

I have a fairly physical job, moving and stacking baggage at the airport, and I'm wondering whether its best to lift before or after. I've tried both ways, and can manage either. Doing it after work has the benifit of already having the muscles warmed up from 9 hours of activity, but I worry that I don't put as much effort into it due to exhaustion. Lifting before work I have more energy but I'm not really letting the muscles rest afterwards as I then must go and work them for many more hours. Any advice is welcome.

Train when it's convenient for you.

Deborah_Lyn · 11-11-2009, 10:18 AM

No right or wrong answer.

If I lift before work, my energy for the day drops to zero. So, for me, it's during lunch break at the work gym or after work. When I used to go to Bally's gym, I'd lift work out from 7 to 8:30 and be home by 9 pm.

Because your job is very physcial, pre and post work out food and routine will be more important then when. if you lift before work, then your muscles are warmed up for the day's efforts, afetr and there's really no need for an extended warm up. try both and see how your body reacts? use your journal to gauge progress and see what works best?

Good luck!

Klayfish · 11-11-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tifflex

Train when it's convenient for you.

^^^^THIS^^^^^

Just food for thought. Does your job wear you out so that you wouldn't be able to workout as intense as if you did it before? But then again, do you want to wear yourself out before work and not be able to perform your job?

ironwill2008 · 11-11-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tifflex

Train when it's convenient for you.

^^^^This. The "best" time to train is when you can actually get in there.

beancntr · 11-11-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironwill2008

^^^^This. The "best" time to train is when you can actually get in there.

Hate to be a broken record but this^^^ whenever you can get there consistently.

dungeonmistress · 11-11-2009, 11:20 AM

after work. no time before, and i use the iron to vent the bs from the day so i don't go home and rip my family's heads off. also, the streets are safer once i've had my dose of iron.

SpiderJerusalem · 11-11-2009, 11:26 AM

I lift after work. Like some other people I just don't feel like I'm at full strength too early in the day (and I also remember reading something somewhere about people reaching their peak strength of the day around 8pm or so). I'd rather lift when I feel looser from casual activity throughout the day and like I'll be able to put more effort into it.

I was also just thinking that isn't it probably better to rest your muscles after a heavy workout rather than spending another 9 hours of work-related physical activity? Your body's trying to repair the damage you just did to your muscles. Personally, I'd rather eat a full meal and then sleep for 8 hours to give my muscles a chance to recover.

ironwill2008 · 11-11-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiderJerusalem

I was also just thinking that isn't it probably better to rest your muscles after a heavy workout rather than spending another 9 hours of work-related physical activity? .

Sure, but not many people have the luxury of training in ideal circumstances. Just make do with the best way you can juggle your personal schedule, and everything else will take care of itself. Might not be optimal, but if it's the best you can do, it'll work.

Another thought: the body is highly adaptable to physical activity. With even a really bad schedule, as long as you're consistent, your body will get used to whatever demands you put on it. This is provided, of course, that you get adequate rest and nutrition.

shunt1317 · 11-11-2009, 12:25 PM

Before work for me. I'm too tired after.

jlczl · 11-11-2009, 12:39 PM

I have a pretty demanding job too. Climbing poles, digging holes........ if I wait until after work I'm too tired. Early a.m. before work for me or else it won't get done. That plus I have loads of energy after hitting the iron. I actually feel more tired at work on my non-lifting days.

koa187 · 11-11-2009, 04:12 PM

I lift whenever i get in the gym.

Jess40 · 11-11-2009, 04:15 PM

I prefer after work...i bring my gym clothes to work and I make it a habit to stop at the gym on the way home from work everyday.

JoeyDoyle2 · 11-11-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironwill2008

^^^^This. The "best" time to train is when you can actually get in there.

this is what i do,i farm for a living and i have to train when i can,sometimes its before work and sometimes its at night

Bando · 11-11-2009, 05:01 PM

I think I'm fortunate to lift at lunchtime, before work is to early and after work just to many things going on.

2nd_chance · 11-11-2009, 05:16 PM

Neither. In the middle @ noon. It's great.

JOHN GARGANI · 11-11-2009, 07:25 PM

KRAKEN: in your case, prioritize your WORK first......on your higher energy days, you can lift at night, and then, whenever not working, take advantage of that and do a morning or afternoon lift......

as to your screen name, here are some images of Harryhausen's interpretation of that legendary monster:

plmb1 · 11-11-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKraken

I have a fairly physical job, moving and stacking baggage at the airport, and I'm wondering whether its best to lift before or after. I've tried both ways, and can manage either. Doing it after work has the benifit of already having the muscles warmed up from 9 hours of activity, but I worry that I don't put as much effort into it due to exhaustion. Lifting before work I have more energy but I'm not really letting the muscles rest afterwards as I then must go and work them for many more hours. Any advice is welcome.

"Most" days.......I train when I can fit it in.............

"some" days.......I train when I want to.........

bottom line.....it really does not matter in the long run as long as you train....