Better to workout in the morning or night

[Rickbo]

I am cutting, what time is it better to workout, morning or night time? (as far as burning the most calories and cutting fat)

Heres what I do

M - Chest & back, Abs
T - Plyometrics (a lot of jump training and different squats)
W - Shoulders & arms, abs
Th - Yoga
F - Legs & Back, abs
Sat - Kenpo (Martial Arts)
Sun - Stretch routine

Each workout is 1 hour.

Currently I have been working out at night. I just had an idea that when your body is fully rested it can burn more calories. So when is better morning time or night time, and support your answer.

[crazymutha]

I am cutting, what time is it better to workout, morning or night time? (as far as burning the most calories and cutting fat)

Heres what I do

M - Chest & back, Abs
T - Plyometrics (a lot of jump training and different squats)
W - Shoulders & arms, abs
Th - Yoga
F - Legs & Back, abs
Sat - Kenpo (Martial Arts)
Sun - Stretch routine

Each workout is 1 hour.

Currently I have been working out at night. I just had an idea that when your body is fully rested it can burn more calories. So when is better morning time or night time, and support your answer.

Nightime
-key hormones are highest at this time
-body should be well fed by this time (assuming proper diet)

I am not one to get into posting studies and all that...but I'm sure everyone will agree that

nightime is optimal...but morning is still great...do the best you can do

[NoTimeLikeNow]

Nightime
-key hormones are highest at this time
-body should be well fed by this time (assuming proper diet)

I am not one to get into posting studies and all that...but I'm sure everyone will agree that

nightime is optimal...but morning is still great...do the best you can do

Hmm, I absolutely agree. But the general consensus that I see is that everybody likes to workout in the morning. Then again these people seem to say you should workout on an empty stomach which seems wrong to me.

I do remember reading the book "Body for Life" where Brian claimed that working out in the morning is 300% more beneficial... But that book was written like 10 years ago so things may have changed.

In the end I feel as long as I get my ass in the gym it doesn't matter, I try not to nitpick if I don't have to.

[NoTimeLikeNow]

Over-analysis + perfectionism = procrastination & wasted years

oh yes, quoted for truth

[crazymutha]

Hmm, I absolutely agree. But the general consensus that I see is that everybody likes to workout in the morning. Then again these people seem to say you should workout on an empty stomach which seems wrong to me.

I do remember reading the book "Body for Life" where Brian claimed that working out in the morning is 300% more beneficial... But that book was written like 10 years ago so things may have changed.

In the end I feel as long as I get my ass in the gym it doesn't matter, I try not to nitpick if I don't have to.

With cortisol elevated in the morning, one can easily get "wired" from any form of stimulation, especially in a fasted state...beit exercise/caffeine...this would cause one to feel good for pretty much the rest of the day. So, I can understand the logic.

For muscle growth, though, I have read and heard (no sources) that night time is optimal too many times to even second guess it.

Personally, I do cardio in the morning before work, and then I lift after work...this way, I get the best of both worlds.

--start the day optimally
--end the day optimally

[TheNormalMan]

I prefer morning because I'm so burnt out at night after most days that I couldn't even come close to working out as intensely at night as I can when I'm fresh in the morning.

It's always the same every morning, wake up, scarf down my egg whites and oatmeal, take an EC stack, 45 minutes later, get my ass to that gym. By this point, I'm wired, alert, pumped up, and I only have to deal with two other people in the gym. Last time I went to the gym at like 5 or 6, there was so many people in my school's weight room that there lines for some of the machines.

As long as you're lifting hard, and doing everything right, it really doesn't matter when you lift.

[ss4vegeta1]

I do mine in the morning cause I don't have time at night but I believe at night is the best for the reason, right after you workout at night before your last meal is optimal because the muscles need recovery and to rebuild and sleep is the ultimate recovery time along with the correct nutrients.

[papagunz]

I thought test levels were highest in the morning? Anywho, I lift in the morning, after a good breakfast. Loving it at the moment.

[-Aaron-]

nightime is optimal...but morning is still great...do the best you can do

Actually, you're wrong. Clinical studies have shown that testosterone is higher in the morning and drop as the day goes on.

[MK32]

i'm lifting in early the morning, one hour after a breakfast. i'd prefer to workout in the mornings anyway, but a bit later. have no time however, maybe evenings are better than early mornings, but by the time i can go to gym i completely tired + gym is full of people

[crazymutha]

Actually, you're wrong. Clinical studies have shown that testosterone is higher in the morning and drop as the day goes on.

Is that enough to say that I am wrong?

How about, "To my understanding, Clinical studies have shown that testosterone is higher in the morning and drop as the day goes on."

[NoTimeLikeNow]

Actually, you're wrong. Clinical studies have shown that testosterone is higher in the morning and drop as the day goes on.

Hmm was reading Muscle & Fitness mag today and thought this little chunk of info might be useful. Seems there is a lot of conflicting information. Regardless of the elevated levels of T there must be some other factors involved that produce better gains from working out at night. Here is the direct quote.

Researchers from the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) discovered that when subjects worked out after 6 p.m. for 10 weeks, they gained more muscle and lost more body fat than a group that trained before 10 a.m.

Unfortunately, no info about the exact study was presented so who knows how controlled it was. But it certainly makes you wonder.

[Zee Deveel]

Main benefits I can see for both:

Morning: You have the whole day afterwards to eat protein instead of going to sleep.

Night: Your pain threshold in the morning is lower so you should in theory be able to push yourself harder at night.

[SDC77]

Whatever time allows you to workout with the most intensity. Don't overthink the situation, it's just a workout. Square away your nutrition and then bust your ass, it's that simple. Day, night, who cares.

[yott]

it depends. i personally workout both morning and night (not in the same day). they both have their strong points.

i like working out in the morning because im full of energy and the gym is less crowded.

night time is also good because its a nice way to finish the day. however i find that i have less energy at night due to school and work.

but as some have said, go with either one just as long as you do it.

[metallicide]

my lifts are always better at night for some reason, but I usually go mid afternoon.

[DefineYourself]

To my understanding, there is no optimal time of day to workout. For cardio some people do it when they first wake up before breakfast supposedly when sugar levels are the lowest therefore it's easier to get at the fat stores. Though I workout in the afternoon and cardio at night after not eating for a few hours at night it feels like the perfect way to finish off. Also doing any type of excercise without sufficient supply of nutrition will lead to lack of performance and endurance. So arguement goes either way. Do what works for you

goodluck with your progress

[Qijofeuih]

Well I'm not sure if this is optimal but I do it in the mornings because at night I usually tell myself "I'm so tired, I'll do it tomorrow morning" and wind up skipping a workout. It's really easy to crawl in bed after a long day. Mornings however there really isn't anything to do and you can look forward to your workout.

[Heathnz]

Whatever time allows you to workout with the most intensity. Don't overthink the situation, it's just a workout. Square away your nutrition and then bust your ass, it's that simple. Day, night, who cares.

I love this. Peoples days differ. In my experience as long as you eat right throughout the day, and get your workout in (always give your all). You’ll see results.

[MCrow]

The thing about this is there are legit evidence for and against both morning and evening workouts. The differences aren't that big. I really doubt if you choose one or the other that you will see a meaningful difference. The thing that matters the most about workout times is which you enjoy best, which fits your schedule best, and maybe volumes at your gym during those times. I wouldn't waste any time worrying about which is metabolically better, if there's any difference at all it's not big enough to matter.

[vince4bb]

Morning because the pre-workouts keep me up all night if I do a night session.

[SuffolkPunch]

If peak strength matters (e.g. powerlifter training) then early evening is supposed to be the time when neural output is at it's highest whereas early morning is relatively poor.

I don't read too much into such ideas though, convenience and mealtimes tend to dictate the issue for me instead.

[284Shooter]

I love this. Peoples days differ. In my experience as long as you eat right throughout the day, and get your workout in (always give your all). You’ll see results.

It’s a 12 year old thread, I am sure he figured it out by now.

[fairOne777]

If peak strength matters (e.g. powerlifter training) then early evening is supposed to be the time when neural output is at it's highest whereas early morning is relatively poor.

This. I found that strenuous moves like deadlifts, block pulls are best done in the evening (though I can't properly sleep if I pull heavy in the evening too). While lighter work, e.g. dips feel fine earlier in the day.

[fairOne777]

In general, it is going to be highly individual (as most things in bodybuilding) whether morning or evening is better for YOUR BODY. Morning person vs evening person thing going on. Experimenting with different times will yield an answer. I had a thread about training close to bedtime and some people basically said they can train late night and still be ok and sleep well others were saying anything serious in the evening and they can't sleep. So all depends on your individual genetics.

You will also probably find that some exercises will be best suited for morning others for evening FOR YOU. Just experiment.