Working out right before bed?

[HairyScandinavian]

Any concerns with working out right before hitting the sack? Lunch break at work is my preference, but schedule changes have made it impossible now. I picked up a bunch of equipment thinking I could work out when I get home, but the family demands too much attention and I don't like feeling like I'm ignoring them. Kids are down by 9:30 or so and wife leaves for work at 10:00 PM so I'm thinking of hitting the weights from about 10:00 to 11:30 PM, down some sort of postworkout meal and then hit the sack around midnight. Any concerns with this or thoughts?

[67fastback]

I have swim workouts 3x a week, late. Spend 5-10 mins in the hot tub after practice. Usually I get home at 10:30 and bed is 11:00

I find I am pretty hyper and hungry after I get home, so I eat a lot and watch boring TV shows to unwind. Sometimes I get to sleep by 11:30, sometimes 12, sometimes later.

It's kind of good though, I think. Your body gets rest and recovery right away.

Try it, you may have to use some strategies to relax, or maybe you might feel tired and flake right out

Good luck

[Bando]

It's not ideal. I don't think you'll sleep well.

That said, working out, then a protein shake and a nap is the choice for many professional bb'ers, so for hypertrophy you could do worse.

[JollyHumper]

Even though I'm not +35 yrs, I feel that training before bed is very nice. I work at night and do my workouts in the morning before bed.

As 67fastback mentioned, I'm also pretty hyper when I get home, and sometimes I have to force myself to go to bed. But it's only my body that's bristling with energy, therefore it's not that difficult falling asleep though.

I have no problems sleeping what so ever. I've never slept better imho. I think it's because working out is a good way for me to unwind mentally.

Training wise, I've actually never done better after I started working out before bedtime. But if that is the main reason, I honestly have no idea.

[rockeo]

Even though I'm not +35 yrs, I feel that training before bed is very nice. I work at night and do my workouts in the morning before bed.

As 67fastback mentioned, I'm also pretty hyper when I get home, and sometimes I have to force myself to go to bed. But it's only my body that's bristling with energy, therefore it's not that difficult falling asleep though.

I have no problems sleeping what so ever. I've never slept better imho. I think it's because working out is a good way for me to unwind mentally.

Training wise, I've actually never done better after I started working out before bedtime. But if that is the main reason, I honestly have no idea.

i just gotta say ur user name is to funny !!!

[HairyScandinavian]

Thanks yall. Yeah I have pretty severe trouble falling/staying asleep problems anyway so I was wondering how a late workout would affect it. With any luck it'll improve things.

[TN_Mike]

I lost 160 pounds in 9 months working out from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm every night. All cardio. Then when I reached my target weight of 155 I switched to lifting and cardio. I now mostly lift but after my knee heals up (I had surgery last Thursday) I will be incorporating more cardio back into the routine.

I do all of this just like you. I get home from work at about 6:30pm, spend time with the family until the kids go to bed at 9pm or so, the wife goes to bead at 9:30pm, then I go to the gym.

I get home at about 11:30pm from the gym and down a whey protein shake, have a cup or so of cottage cheese. Then I hit the sack after a quick shower.

I sleep fantastic. I love working out at night right before bed. It seems to work for me better than anything else.

[JollyHumper]

i just gotta say ur user name is to funny !!!

Yet very descriptive hehe :P

@ justletmein
Just be careful about drinking too much water. Otherwise you'll wake up feeling like your bladder is gonna explode.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

I work out late alot. Not unusual for me to be working out at 10pm or even a bit later. Personally, I've never had trouble going right to sleep, so I think it depends on the person.

I remember once when I was younger, due to my schedule I was working out at 3am and then going to bed. Didn't bother me then either......... maybe I'm just odd......... well actually, no maybe there........

[JOHN GARGANI]

JUSTLE: most of my workouts are at night...usually after 9 PM.....

a couple of suggestions:

1. don't overload your system with too much solid food that late....be satisfied with a nice post workout drink.....

2. even though it is already getting late after the shower, take some time to relax by watching TV or reading before you hit the sack.

3. keep the workouts shorter if possible: use minimum rest periods...the faster the workout, the more time afterwards to wind down before sleeping.


and another note: you would think that your body is shot at that time of the day, but all too often, our "tiredness" is more mental than physical and there is more left in the tank than you think.

[Need2fly]

I lost 160 pounds in 9 months working out from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm every night. All cardio. Then when I reached my target weight of 155 I switched to lifting and cardio. I now mostly lift but after my knee heals up (I had surgery last Thursday) I will be incorporating more cardio back into the routine.

I do all of this just like you. I get home from work at about 6:30pm, spend time with the family until the kids go to bed at 9pm or so, the wife goes to bead at 9:30pm, then I go to the gym.

I get home at about 11:30pm from the gym and down a whey protein shake, have a cup or so of cottage cheese. Then I hit the sack after a quick shower.

I sleep fantastic. I love working out at night right before bed. It seems to work for me better than anything else.

congrats on the work

[lotokids]

When I'm on my midnight rotation I workout after work then drive home about 40min and have now problem falling asleep.

[mp9750]

I used to work out late just before hitting the sack for years - i learned a few tricks:

- Be careful with what you take as your pre workout intake (for example don't take caffeine that late in the day if you know you're not tolerant - it will make sleeping nearly impossible).
- Keep your training short (1h or under)
- Take a light port workout meal or shake with a good protein intake
- Take a hot shower to relax muscles

It worked pretty good for me and i did not have any issues falling asleep.

[bodyhard]

Any concerns with working out right before hitting the sack? Lunch break at work is my preference, but schedule changes have made it impossible now. I picked up a bunch of equipment thinking I could work out when I get home, but the family demands too much attention and I don't like feeling like I'm ignoring them. Kids are down by 9:30 or so and wife leaves for work at 10:00 PM so I'm thinking of hitting the weights from about 10:00 to 11:30 PM, down some sort of postworkout meal and then hit the sack around midnight. Any concerns with this or thoughts?

I have been working out late night for as far back as I can remember. Right now I am working out at 11:00 PM I get home drink my post workout shake take a shower and hit the hay.

All this crap about what time is best to work out, is just that, crap. Find the time man, find the time and stay consistent with it, you will see results period.

[joestrom2002]

My work is in construction and I work out at about 9pm.
Sometimes by the time I wind down it's very late.
Someone had suggested Melatonin, I take it when I know It's going to be a tough night because of the heavy workout. The hours of sleep are short but the quality of sleep is much better then without it.
Do your homework on Melatonin before you take it.
Joe

[HairyScandinavian]

Excellent info, thanks yall. I'll start this up next week and see how it goes.

@ justletmein
Just be careful about drinking too much water. Otherwise you'll wake up feeling like your bladder is gonna explode.

See that's exactly the type of thing I'm missing. Man I drink buckets of water while working out, probably close to a gallon. I'm just constantly thirsty. I'll definitely have to be careful because with my sleep problems if I have to wake up to pee too much I'll be in trouble.

[BJE]

I don't sleep well soon after a workout.

[pmartel]

On my 'off gym day's' I work out at home with a weight routine. Regardless of how crap my day at work has been, I need about 45 minutes to decompress when I walk in the door & then hit the weights. This is about an 1.5hrs before bed.

I think I'd be too wound up if I worked out right before bed

[rpaul11]

I often work out after 9 pm. it's no my favorite time to work out, but it is when I can......I don't find it effects my sleep, but surely you may react differently. Give it a try and see how it works for you.

The best ime to work out is when you an get to the gym IMO

[ExCompetitor]

I like to pose right after workouts in the bedroom mirror.If i were to w/o just before bed my wife would get all hot and bothered thus cutting into my sleep time

[sactown]

If you can consistently work out at home immediately before bedtime, then that's the way to go.

I do not miss waiting for a bench, machine, or cardio equipment. I also don't miss being hit on by members of the same sex, so the home set-up is the way.

It takes a little while to get a full set-up. (I still lack a lat pull-down and a calf machine)

Free weights can be had for pretty cheap. I constantly scan Craigslist for used equipment. My dumbbells are both hex and the old-school standard style, but I have 'em from 20 to 75 and a full olympic barbell set.

You'll have fewer distractions and can lift AM, or PM.

I lift at night and usually do this right here between sets. While I am a little pumped after liftin', I always take a shower and read after hoppin' into bed. REading usually puts me right out.

My only difficulties have come from preworkout stims that might still have my pulse extra high, but I have learned to sleep through that. Might wanna regulate stims after a certain time ' till you get used to it.

Good luck. I know you'll benefit from this.

[dogguy]

Any concerns with working out right before hitting the sack?

--I think it depends on the individual. I have a sleep issue regardless of what time of day I workout. Working out in the evening generally does not make my sleep issue worse. What does make it worse is whenever I overtrain.

And while I'm at it here, I want to congratulate TN_Mike! What a success story! And it sounds like you're really in to this now!

[snoack]

All this crap about what time is best to work out, is just that, crap. Find the time man, find the time and stay consistent with it, you will see results period.

Saturdays and days like today (when I'm off), I like to hit it early (usually by 9AM). Sundays, I usually lift mid-late afternoon. During the week, I quite often lift after dinner (usually in the 7:30-9:30 range). To me, the only time that matters is the time spent putting the work in.

[JOHN GARGANI]

Saturdays and days like today (when I'm off), I like to hit it early (usually by 9AM). Sundays, I usually lift mid-late afternoon. During the week, I quite often lift after dinner (usually in the 7:30-9:30 range). To me, the only time that matters is the time spent putting the work in.

don't we all! LOL.....

actually, Snoack, that was an excellent reply...yes, when we can, go for it....

I have a rare SAT off today because of Thanksgiving weekend, and I will be working out in a few minutes, an unusual departure from my late night normals.....

[HairyScandinavian]

Well figured I'd give an update. I don't think this is going to work out too well for me in the long run. I'm struggling with consistency big time, once time rolls around I'm just too dang tired to have a good workout and sometimes too tired to work out at all. When I do hit the weights I'm awake for a solid 2-3 hours after finishing whether or not I use any supps at all, but then I have sleep issues to begin with... and yes workout nights I have to get up and pee a couple times too. I'm thinking of trying to do my workouts in the morning before the rest of the family wakes up, though I'm not sure what I'll do about pre-workout nutrition and not sure if I'll be able to drag myself out of bed that early.

[ironwill2008]

Well figured I'd give an update. I don't think this is going to work out too well for me in the long run. I'm struggling with consistency big time, once time rolls around I'm just too dang tired to have a good workout and sometimes too tired to work out at all. When I do hit the weights I'm awake for a solid 2-3 hours after finishing whether or not I use any supps at all, but then I have sleep issues to begin with... and yes workout nights I have to get up and pee a couple times too. I'm thinking of trying to do my workouts in the morning before the rest of the family wakes up, though I'm not sure what I'll do about pre-workout nutrition and not sure if I'll be able to drag myself out of bed that early.

In bodybuilding, there's always a price to be paid. It's up to the individual to decide for him/herself if he/she can afford it.

[Wildtim]

Whats early?

I'm up by five just to get to work on time. Thats why I work out in the evenings. I can't see getting up early to work out which for me would be 3:00

[StressMonkey]

Well figured I'd give an update. I don't think this is going to work out too well for me in the long run. I'm struggling with consistency big time, once time rolls around I'm just too dang tired to have a good workout and sometimes too tired to work out at all. When I do hit the weights I'm awake for a solid 2-3 hours after finishing whether or not I use any supps at all, but then I have sleep issues to begin with... and yes workout nights I have to get up and pee a couple times too. I'm thinking of trying to do my workouts in the morning before the rest of the family wakes up, though I'm not sure what I'll do about pre-workout nutrition and not sure if I'll be able to drag myself out of bed that early.

Sorry it didn't work out for you. Every person is different.

On weeknights I work out really late and I love it.

[Nunyas]

I personally can't see myself doing that... I'm usually too "amped" for an hour or two to fall asleep after a work out...