Better to Exercise in the morning or evening

dadzzz
dadzzz Posts: 16 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
hi as the subject say any tips on morning or evening exercise i do alot of cycling and its starting to get dark in the evenings here in the uk should i bite the bullet start before i go to work

any advise and tips on this many thanks
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Replies

  • misskate1987
    misskate1987 Posts: 54
    Different people will tell you different things.

    I believe that the best time to exercise is when you're actually going to do it - for me it's in the evening because I'm not a morning person (in an ideal world it would be middle of the day - alas, I have to work).
  • jamiemommy
    jamiemommy Posts: 58 Member
    I think it just depends on the person? I hate exercising at night because then I can't sleep? I always run and go to the gym in the morning.
  • emergencytennis
    emergencytennis Posts: 864 Member
    I think it just depends on the person? I hate exercising at night because then I can't sleep? I always run and go to the gym in the morning.

    Me too. I used to play night fixtures, get home by 10pm, have a shower and finally come down from the evening so that I could sleep at about 11:30pm.
  • brandon_2A
    brandon_2A Posts: 35
    I work nights so my times are backwards from most people but my answer is "either". Some days I feel like going in the morning after work, some days I'm tired when I get home but I'lll get up a little early in the afternoon and go.
  • honkytonks85
    honkytonks85 Posts: 669 Member
    Makes no difference in terms of weight loss, but I know some people who find doing exercise at night makes it more difficult to sleep.

    Just choose whichever works best for you.
  • elliej
    elliej Posts: 466 Member
    I hate to exercise on an empty stomach so early morning isn't good for me. I always train after work, even on the weekend I'll go late morning.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    Better to Exercise

    Fixed it for you.
  • vicksg1973
    vicksg1973 Posts: 55
    As I sit here trying to find any excuse or task to stop me having to start my daily dose of Jillian Michaels, I was hoping someone would have conclusive proof that morning exercise is bad for you!

    Now I suppose I will just have to grit my teeth and get on with it. Morning person or no morning person!
  • lrobson555
    lrobson555 Posts: 97 Member
    I used to get up early and exercise in the morning, but now I start work earlier and get up at 6.15 as it is!
    Haven't been exercising for a while, but going to start again tonight I think when I get home from work. Never exercised in the evening before so it'll be a new experience for me!!
  • LeanButNotMean44
    LeanButNotMean44 Posts: 852 Member
    For me, it is "better" to exercise in the morning because there is nothing to derail my plans (i.e. getting stuck at work, train delay, etc.). It seems whenever I push it out into the evening, something inevitably happens to thwart my plans.
  • wiserebel
    wiserebel Posts: 28 Member
    I do both. Mornings is insanity, I usually get up around 5.30. Evenings are for runs between 30mins and an hour after the kids are in bed!
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Whatever works for you
  • Hodgie12345
    Hodgie12345 Posts: 51 Member
    You will burn more fat if you exercise in the morning because as you eat through the day you will increase glycogen levels and then exercise in the evening will burn this and your body will be lessen resistant to releasing fat for burning. My Dad was a Doctor and I remember him saying this too me; I checked it out - as well all can - and its seems to be the case. So for me, morning is best. Hodgie x
  • emergencytennis
    emergencytennis Posts: 864 Member
    You will burn more fat if you exercise in the morning because as you eat through the day you will increase glycogen levels and then exercise in the evening will burn this and your body will be lessen resistant to releasing fat for burning. My Dad was a Doctor and I remember him saying this too me; I checked it out - as well all can - and its seems to be the case. So for me, morning is best. Hodgie x

    Pardon?
  • dadzzz
    dadzzz Posts: 16 Member
    thank you my friend!
  • sugarysweet110
    sugarysweet110 Posts: 16
    I think it's all just personal preference. The best thing to remember is that you should always exercise at a time that you're most likely to stick to.

    I am NOT a morning person and I don't like working out with nothing in my stomach, so mornings are never an ideal time for me to exercise. I usually exercise after I get home from work or in the evening-- and I still manage to get a good night's sleep. But, that's not ideal for everyone.
  • tialynn1
    tialynn1 Posts: 884 Member
    It depends on what feels right for you and what works best with your schedule. I walk every morning before work during the week. But, if that doesn't happen then I do it in the evening.
  • MzzFaith
    MzzFaith Posts: 337 Member
    Different for everyone. Whichever works better for you.
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    You will burn more fat if you exercise in the morning because as you eat through the day you will increase glycogen levels and then exercise in the evening will burn this and your body will be lessen resistant to releasing fat for burning. My Dad was a Doctor and I remember him saying this too me; I checked it out - as well all can - and its seems to be the case. So for me, morning is best. Hodgie x

    There is very very LIGHT evidence that training in a fasted state can increase fat burning, but the differences are very small, particularly if you are eating late in the evening. The hormones that would release to encourage fat mobilization don't kick in until like 12-16 hours in a fasted state if I remember properly.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    You will burn more fat if you exercise in the morning because as you eat through the day you will increase glycogen levels and then exercise in the evening will burn this and your body will be lessen resistant to releasing fat for burning. My Dad was a Doctor and I remember him saying this too me; I checked it out - as well all can - and its seems to be the case. So for me, morning is best. Hodgie x

    Erm, sorry - no.
    Fat loss is related to calorie deficit and not time of day.

    As to the topic "Better to Exercise in the morning or evening" - the answer is yes, either or both.
  • Buckeyegirlbritt
    Buckeyegirlbritt Posts: 69
    Depending on what I have to do for the day, I'm a morning person therefore I exercise in the morning, but will occasional workout mid-afternoon.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    You will burn more fat if you exercise in the morning because as you eat through the day you will increase glycogen levels and then exercise in the evening will burn this and your body will be lessen resistant to releasing fat for burning. My Dad was a Doctor and I remember him saying this too me; I checked it out - as well all can - and its seems to be the case. So for me, morning is best. Hodgie x

    Sorry but no. You can work out at any time of the day, just as long as you work out and are consistent with it.

    I work out in the morning, I've worked out at night, both the same.
  • bluestarlight19
    bluestarlight19 Posts: 419 Member
    I am a morning person but I hate exercising in the morning because everytime I try, I always hurt myself some how. My mind is awake but my body doesn't function. Plus, I get up at 5am for work anyways...so...I would have to get up at 4am to exercise and I love my sleep too soooo....no. I love exercising after I get home from work, but it is a time crunch and if I miss that time period, its gone and I have to wait til tomorrow. I don't usually have trouble sleeping unless I exercise past 8pm.
  • MsFitnessDivaLuv2Run
    MsFitnessDivaLuv2Run Posts: 2,168 Member
    I think it depends on the individual.... I like to workout in the mornings because that's when I have the most energy and I know it is done for the day and I don't have to think about it ... also if I do get that burts of evening energy I can always go for round 2.
  • summer8it
    summer8it Posts: 433 Member
    For me, it makes a difference what kind of exercise I'm doing. I do better if I do my strength training in the morning, partially because I'm not exhausted from a day of work already, and partially because I like to be alone while I do it (I work out at home, so if I want to be alone, I have to get up before my husband and son.)

    In the evenings, I practice hooping and stretch, because those are things I can do while I'm hanging out with my husband, listening to music or watching TV. I'm doing an intense program of stretching right now, and I also like doing that in the evenings because my muscles are looser from moving around all day.
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    Whatever works for you

    This exactly. Just get into a routine that works for you.
  • Hodgie12345
    Hodgie12345 Posts: 51 Member
    Glycogen burnt means fat not burnt. Dummies. x
  • japar
    japar Posts: 51 Member
    Agree with all who are preaching the best time to work out is when you can! That said, I am not a morning person, but that is the most manageable part of my day (competing priority...wake up earlier). Here is a site (NowLoss.com) and some links that have some interesting information about morning workouts and workouts while fasting (not always the same thing). Enjoy.

    1. www.nowloss.com/Weight_Loss_78.htm
    2. www.nowloss.com/intermittent-fasting-diet-plan.htm
    3. www.nowloss.com/fast-weight-loss-tips.htm
  • bobbystrongarm
    bobbystrongarm Posts: 72
    You can find information on both sides of the camp. IMO do whatever you find more convenient. Worrying about trivial stuff is a quick road to excuses, and excuses lead to missed workouts and failed diet plans.

    There are people who swear working out fasted burns more fat, there have been a few studies that suggest that might be true.

    Then there are others who have their workouts suffer because they don't have enough energy to get a good work out in while fasted. I fall into this camp. I'm half as fast, half as strong, and much more inclined to cut my workout short when I'm fasted. It might not be an issue for people who work out with low intensity, but I 100% kick my *kitten* every time I'm out there. Fasted makes it miserable.

    When it comes to strength training there are two camps as well. Natural body builders will do whatever they can to keep their natural testosterone levels high. It is highest in the AM for men. Many claim to be stronger while taking advantage of this and lift in the morning to push the heaviest weight. There are others who focus on keeping their test levels elevated throughout the entire day. Lifting heavy increases your natural test levels so these guys will lift in the afternoon. The idea behind it is your test is already high in the AM naturally, so increasing it in the afternoon will leave them having more time throughout the entire day in a more anabolic state. I really have no idea if this makes a huge difference, but test being high in the AM and lifting heavy to increase test has been proven to be true. I just don't know if it makes a difference in overall body composition. Then again I have never trained at this level, and they must be doing something right because those natural guys can get freaky huge still without good ol steroids.

    Basically, if you aren't a top tier athlete just get out there. Minuscule advantages or changes are nothing compared to getting your butt out there consistently.
  • rose228822
    rose228822 Posts: 186 Member
    hi as the subject say any tips on morning or evening exercise i do alot of cycling and its starting to get dark in the evenings here in the uk should i bite the bullet start before i go to work

    any advise and tips on this many thanks

    Well if you can fit it in your schedule in the morning you could try it out...you say it gets dark in the evenings so I would just make sure to be safe and well lit if you continue to cycle at night...I workout in the morning and evening sometimes both sometimes when I can fit it in...take care and have fun.

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