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What is the best time in the day to exercise?

kristinalupp

Hey, I was wondering if there was a certain time in the day where it would be most efficient to work out? Do I burn more by doing it in the morning? I personally think no, but my sister in law and a friend insist that I need to work out in the morning and on an empty stomach - that would be most efficient. What say YOU? Thanks in advance

Replies

Kalikel

I'm a fan of exercising on an empty stomach. A little exercise early on gives me a boost of energy that lasts all day.

A hard workout near bedtime will prevent me from sleeping well. So will skipping a day of exercise.

I'm not convinced that early exercise is more beneficial than late exercise, but so many people swear by it that I'm not convinced it isn't.

dobsm

That's a myth! You don't burn any extra calories by exercising before you eat - in fact, your exercise won't be as efficient or feel as good if you exercise on an empty stomach. The ideal time to work out is 30-60 minutes after having a light snack of carbohydrates (something like a small bowl of cereal / toast / apple - breakfast-type foods). And make sure you're well-hydrated - another reason not to work out as soon as you get out of bed, because most people dehydrate somewhat overnight.

In terms of burning more calories, the key time is immediately after you've worked out - your metabolism will be raised from the exercise, and refuelling with protein & carbohydrates in the 30 minutes after a workout is ideal, and your body will burn it efficiently.

I also don't like working out (well, running in particular) in the morning because exercise makes me need the bathroom if I haven't already been that day, and going for a run first thing always means I'm caught short halfway round!!

Source: I've run two marathons in the last two years so I've experimented a lot with working out at different times of day during training!

oneloopygirl

When it works for you... I've been known to exercise in the mornings, afternoons, evenings... Depends on my schedule. Getting the exercise in matters more. As long as you exercise and make the effort, you will see the reward.

And I don't subscribe to the empty stomach party either. That's crazy. How can you work your hardest and your best with no fuel? I don't exercise right after I eat. I wouldn't feel well from that either, but I don't go on a completely empty stomach. You're not going to be able to put as much effort in because you're body isn't going to have immediate fuel to use.

Branstin

Anytime that works for you.

Lasmartchika

I workout during the day, sometime between after breakfast and before dinner. I've never been able to exercise on an empty stomach. I'm still losing weight, so it works for me.

ChantalGG

whenever you have time. I lost the most weight years ago, when i broke up my workouts into 10 to 20 minutes 3 times a day. Just calisthenics too. I work up did it, when i watched tv i did it, and then before bed i did a few more things.

successgal1

When you have the time.

999tigger

Whatever time you like its more importnat to get in there and do it rather than worry about time. I'd agree with dobsm about having some food beforehand to give you the energy, but its down to the individual imo.

jemhh

Whenever it works out for you. It sounds like you are a beginner exerciser. You'll likely find that what time of day works best for you and whether or not you can finish a workout on an empty stomach will vary and change over time. When I first started I was fine running on an empty stomach. Once I got up to a certain mileage/time, I needed a small snack beforehand. Right now I am fine lifting weights on an empty stomach first thing in the morning but only if I've eaten well the day before (i.e., not a low calorie day.)

Bottom line: experiment and figure out what's best and ignore your SIL and friend.

KylaDenay

Whatever time you will actually do it.

TossaBeanBag

Simply, exercise and burn off more than you consume.

yopeeps025

It depends on the exercise. Sometimes things interrupt my sleep and there is only one thing I like to interrupt it.

kristinalupp

Sister in law and I are trying to lose weight - we have been exercising for a good 4 months 5-6 days a week and are currently doing INSANITY and are on week 6 of INSANITY. We work out together. I used to work out at midnight when all kids were asleep but she works evenings now - it is easier for me to have breakfast, feed all kids, start the day, then do it, but she keeps telling me that if we work out shortly before we have lunch, there is no point in working out...she says body will burn what we had for breakfast instead our fat.

YalithKBK

I exercise on an empty stomach only because I get those annoying rib cramps VERY EASILY if I've had food in the last 2-3 hours. There are certain advantages to different parts of the day (I have changed my routine a few times depending on my various class schedules):
-Working out in the morning tends to "snap" me awake. I definitely do not drag after forcing myself to pedal my brains out on a bike first thing in the morning.
-Working out in the evening gives me a better feeling while working out because I've been moving all day and am already warmed up and stretched out. I do warm ups/stretches if I'm working out in the morning, but still feel like I'm more loose in the evenings.

Seriously, I think it's just whatever works for you and your schedule. Try each for a few weeks and see which one you like! Good luck!

TimothyFish

I like to exercise when it is cool outside. When it is hot, your body puts a lot of effort into reducing core temperature, so you muscles end up slowing down.

Liftng4Lis

When it works best for you. I like going at 5 in the morning, prior to eating, because this is when I feel best doing it.

MelanieRBrace

The best thing is that you are working out. Whenever it fits into your schedule is the best time.

amessam8

I'm sure that there is scientific proof that says that exercising at X time of day is more impactful [in fact, I know there is because I just read an article in Fitness RX about that], but the bottom line is, you have to do what works for your schedule. I like to be at the gym at 5am. That works for me and my schedule and keeps me motivated. if I try to go to the gym afterwork, I just feel sluggish and unmotivated and don't feel as if I get the same out of the workouts.

Do you. Just be consistent about it.

hortensehildegarde

whenever I actually do it

I do prefer not to do too much activity on an full tummy for comfort reasons alone.

Sued0nim

Right after you think "right, let's do this"

lookingforlittleme

Like most I'm time poor so I usually squeeze in exercise whenever I can. I always make sure I eat at least half an hour before I work out. After repeatedly hearing this myth I decided to try it out for myself. I found that my performance was reduced. I couldn't finish a normal workout routine. For me working out without eating first is not something I'd make a habit of doing.

SLLRunner

kristinalupp wrote: »

Hey, I was wondering if there was a certain time in the day where it would be most efficient to work out? Do I burn more by doing it in the morning? I personally think no, but my sister in law and a friend insist that I need to work out in the morning and on an empty stomach - that would be most efficient. What say YOU? Thanks in advance

Anytime you want.

unknown

This content has been removed.

lynn1982

KylaDenay wrote: »

Whatever time you will actually do it.

This.

For me, that's first thing in the morning. I know myself, and if I leave it until after work, then I most likely won't go. I do wear a heart rate monitor, and i have noticed that I tend to burn more calories in the afternoon/evening than in the morning, so I probably have more energy then (since I work out on an empty stomach - 5:30am is just too early to eat anything...). But, I still choose to exercise first thing in the am since that is the time that when I am most likely to get it done.

RHachicho

In my opinion cardio is best done early resistance training best done later on. Since early cardio carries it's benefits for the rest of the day. And the stimulation from lifting heavy weights will result in better muscle growth from the anabolism of sleep. However whenever you can is also valid. It's not a night and day difference. Basically it's like you get 90% out of it at the right time and 100% out of it at the wrong time. Timing isn't a big deal. But it's a nice bonus.

kerrilucko

I work out in the evening after my kids go to bed. I wish I could do it in the morning (to get it over with, I'm tired by the end of the day! ). I think the best time to do it is anytime.