Waking up really early for work outs?

Queenblyn

Does waking up hours before normal wake up time and hitting the gym really give you more energy? I just joined a gym and would like to go in the mornings before work, but as of now I have no energy.. Was wondering if I will get an energy boost from this, or just feel more fatigued?

ndj1979

personal preference..

and why is this in the debate section?

wdunnett1

I get up at 2 somedays to workout at 3 am

rhtexasgal

It is a personal preference. I get up at 5 am and stumble around and am in the gym by 5:30 a.m. I find that I am more focused throughout the day without feeling the need for a nap nor am I trying to nod off or anything like that. I will say that it took a month or two for the "shock" to wear off waking up that early when I first started. I do early mornings because I know that by the end of a work day, I will be tired and won't want to do anything else.

Capt_Apollo

crack of dawn? why so late?

iangelab

I think I like getting up early in the morning because then it is done and I don't have to worry about other things in the day sabotaging that time. its guaranteed to get done in the early am. I think I feel better but can't really say for sure.

Capt_Apollo

Queenblyn wrote: »

Does waking up hours before normal wake up time and hitting the gym really give you more energy? I just joined a gym and would like to go in the mornings before work, but as of now I have no energy without the gym.. Was wondering if I will get an energy boost from this, or just feel more fatiqued?

the secret isn't waking up earlier. it's going to bed earlier. and that generally involves avoiding caffeine, heavy foods, and alcohol before bed so you can sleep comfortably. i also suggest turning off or avoiding electronics so you can fall asleep quicker and easier.

Jruzer

emdeesea

If that works for you, do it. There's absolutely no way I would get up that early just to work out but that's me. I do mine late afternoon. Early mornings would just set me up to fail miserably.

kgirlhart

It is personal preference. I could never do that. I go to bed between 11-11:30 and get up at 7. I can't imagine getting up at 5:30 and 2 am? That's the middle of the night. It is much easier for me to workout in the evening even if I'm tired from working all day but whatever works for you is best for you.

chsberthelot

I personally can't work out after working all day so I love going before work in the morning. 330 Now like someone else said the key is to go to bed earlier.

positivepowers

I prefer to work out in the morning, I tend to be more energetic but I can't fit it into my schedule right now, so I go to the gym after work.

Afura

I can't do it, I'm exhausted and tired. It may all be mental as I can get in a walk at lunch with no problems.

brucealfred3

I for one love working out really early in the morning!! It makes the day so much more productive..and honestly...the days seem strangely wrong. Like seriou...on the day you work out, the next day will feel like it's been 2 days. But yes! You should totally go for it!

perkymommy

emdeesea wrote: »

If that works for you, do it. There's absolutely no way I would get up that early just to work out but that's me. I do mine late afternoon. Early mornings would just set me up to fail miserably.

Ditto this. I work out mid to late afternoon. But that's just what works best for me and my lifestyle.

tapwaters

Honestly it sets me up for failure. I am not a morning person by nature, so plans which require me to get up before my body wants to are doomed.

girlinahat

I realised that I was waking up, then hitting the snooze button for ages. I changed that into a get out of bed and into the gym routine, so that by the time I truly wake up I've practically FINISHED my workout and my body doesn't realise it's been tricked into exercise.

Otherwise I have great plans for evening workouts, then five minutes before I get there I create the most complicated excuses imaginable not to go. It leaves my evenings free for fun stuff like going out and dancing (although that too is a secret workout)

Hell_Flower

Mornings for me. It's way quieter, I get it out the way, it sets me up for the day and it helps me with my general sleep schedule.

I HATE how busy the gym is after work and mostly I just want to go home and not be surrounded by sweaty people.

If you decide to go with mornings, you need to commit to it. Takes 3 weeks to built a habit/routine, so keep it up! Oh! And have EVERYTHING ready to go the night before, so you can just roll out of bed into your gym clothes and out the door.

snowflake930

I get up very early, every morning and go in before work. I am a morning person though, and know that I am unlikely to go in after work. I work long hours from April through November so working out early is the only option, plus I love being done early. I have 15,000 steps in already this morning, 75 minutes on the elliptical, 30 minute walk outside.

girlinahat

Hell_Flower wrote: »

If you decide to go with mornings, you need to commit to it. Takes 3 weeks to built a habit/routine, so keep it up! Oh! And have EVERYTHING ready to go the night before, so you can just roll out of bed into your gym clothes and out the door.

yeah this too - I get everything ready, including clothes for showering at the gym, AND my lunch etc. for work. That way I can roll out of bed and get to the gym without faltering

xX_PhoenixRising_Xx

I find it easier to work out early in the morning but as others have said, it requires going to bed at a decent time and getting enough sleep. I'm not a morning person by nature but definitely have enough energy when I get at least 6 hours of sleep and exercise before work.

I've done as early as 4.45am alarm for a 5am workout but right at the moment it's a 5.45am alarm and straight into workout (I have a good home gym).

iofred

... it does give you a boost to the day, but more importantly, it takes away any excuses you have at the end of the day why you should not go (...busy work day, knackered, too busy in the gym, late meal, etc)

coreyreichle

I enjoy working out in the mornings, but often, mornings don't agree with me. So, I've shifted to lunch time, only because it's the only time I have guaranteed (Almost) every day for me.

Abbie918

I work out in the mornings -- I'm there by 530. It's easier for me to go and get it done in the morning than convincing myself to go after sitting in the afternoon traffic. It does wake me up more and, oddly, keeps hunger at bay for me (which is the opposite of what it does for most people, I've learned!). All in all, it's a no-brainer for me to go in the morning. But, like someone already said, it's personal preference.

Joanna2012B

I am good either way. I like to run at 5am, the roads are not as busy and it's cooler in the summer. However, I have a lot of classes that I like to do after work. Even if I am tired after work I can always get the energy to workout. Just make sure you don't miss out on sleep just to wake up early to workout, that may mean having to go to bed earlier than usual.

OhMsDiva

I get up an hour early, 4 am, to exercise before work. Does not give me more energy, but I do start my day knowing that i have done something positive for my health and it makes me feel better about my day. I would agree with an earlier post that getting enough rest is the key to having more energy.

Oversyte

Queenblyn wrote: »

Does waking up hours before normal wake up time and hitting the gym really give you more energy? I just joined a gym and would like to go in the mornings before work, but as of now I have no energy.. Was wondering if I will get an energy boost from this, or just feel more fatigued?

Your energy comes from food right? So, I think it's safe to say you have more energy in the afternoon... in the morning, you don't eat all night and lose water weight in your sleep, so you can move around easier. It would be wise to have a post workout snack or something 1hr before... if you do choose to work out in the morning.

Packerjohn

Oversyte wrote: »

Queenblyn wrote: »

Does waking up hours before normal wake up time and hitting the gym really give you more energy? I just joined a gym and would like to go in the mornings before work, but as of now I have no energy.. Was wondering if I will get an energy boost from this, or just feel more fatigued?

Your energy comes from food right? So, I think it's safe to say you have more energy in the afternoon... in the morning, you don't eat all night and lose water weight in your sleep, so you can move around easier. It would be wise to have a post workout snack or something 1hr before... if you do choose to work out in the morning.

No to this. Many people work out in the morning without eating anything with no issues. Most people have plenty of energy reserves for an hour workout without a pre-workout snack.

Oversyte

Packerjohn wrote: »

Oversyte wrote: »

Queenblyn wrote: »

Does waking up hours before normal wake up time and hitting the gym really give you more energy? I just joined a gym and would like to go in the mornings before work, but as of now I have no energy.. Was wondering if I will get an energy boost from this, or just feel more fatigued?

Your energy comes from food right? So, I think it's safe to say you have more energy in the afternoon... in the morning, you don't eat all night and lose water weight in your sleep, so you can move around easier. It would be wise to have a post workout snack or something 1hr before... if you do choose to work out in the morning.

No to this. Many people work out in the morning without eating anything with no issues. Most people have plenty of energy reserves for an hour workout without a pre-workout snack.

I greatly appreciate the correction! Thank you for expanding my knowledge.

kyleliermann

I find waking up and doing it is far better because you can stretch it out all day and it gives a lil boost

Onhowtobelovely

I get up 3 days a week at 5 to train at 6 for about an hour and 40 minutes. I hate eating before training so I don't, I just drink my preworkout on the way to the gym and once I'm there I mix some BCAAs and sip them during my workout and follow my workout with some quickish carbs and protein. I have a ton of energy once I get in there and have PRd training early. I feel more alert usually during the day after working out this early. It is hard getting up that early but I think it's worth it.