AM workouts vs. PM workouts

htmlgirl

I'm not much of a morning person so I hardly ever go in the morning. I prefer to go a couple hours after lunch so that I have more energy. Doesn't mean I'm working less, I'm just doing what works for me.

Gionni

I guess the moral of the story is that I don't have anything against PM workout people. I just feel that morning workout are better! I seems that all you guys agree and if, time willing, most of you would like to workout in the AM.

SteveHunt113

I've heard that people that work out in the mornings feel more self righteous.

Wanna make something of it?

LOL, just kidding! :flowerforyou:

bunnylvr

I have to workout in the PM, like late afternoon, because I have to be at work at 4am then after work I have school.

im_blessed

I prefer AM workouts as well, because i can plan my food intake around how many calories i burned. It also makes me feel good and energized for the rest of the day.

Sidesteal

-You burn more calories

This part isn't actually true.

Secondarily, if you're trying to differentiate between fed exercise and fasted exercise, you're also not going to see much of any difference long term. There's at least some evidence that suggests that fasted cardio can help to mobilize fatty acids for people who are already lean (at which point mobilization can sometimes become problematic),but this applies pretty much to people who are already lean (15% and below for males per Lyle) so it's not really going to be relevant for most people.

While some of the other points you bring up might be true depending on the gym you workout at, I think the best answer is: Workout when you're most likely to stick to it. If you're a morning person and you enjoy working out in the AM then do it. If you'd prefer PM, then do it.

It's not going to matter all that much, if any, regardless.

Sidesteal

I've heard that people that work out in the mornings feel more self righteous.

^ LOL

Blueyz82

I work out in the PM because I just cannot get up in the AM to work out. I barely can get up in the morning much less the thought of exercise. So I do it in the PM.
But it all depends on you and what your preferences are....there is no wrong time...what's important is that you are working out.

I completely am the same way! I know that I definitely would do better in the evening! I am sooo not a morning person! I am more awake later in the day, so I am able to push myself more and burn more calories then. It doesn't matter at all when you work out, all that matters is that it is being done, like others have said. It's all preference.

Fieldsy

I love working out in the AM, but its not for everyone.

Different strokes for different folks

Stewie316

I love working out in the morning (even though I'm not a morning person at ll). But I burn slightly less calories in the morning than the evening. I think it's because I'm still so tired and my heart rate takes more time to raise.

raineraven78

This is very interesting. I wish I was a morning person and could get my workout done in the AM. Having a daughter to get ready before work and school makes for a crazy busy morning and we have very long days - I am gone 11 hours a day and don't get home until 6 in the evening. Then I have to get in my workout, make dinner, spend time with my daughter and work on her homework and then there's pretty much no time left for me. Having said all that, there are many evenings that I end up skipping my workout because I am simply too tired and/or want to spend the time with my girl. I wish I had time to get the required 8 hours of sleep and get in an AM workout because I think it would be more beneficial for me.

dinosnopro

I trying to explain the benefits of AM workouts to a friend, can you help? I am an avid MORNING workout person. The reason is that I feel the morning is when all the SUPER serious people go to workout because :

-It's less crowded

-You burn more calories

-You start the day off with a bang

-You workout after being well rested.

Most of the SUPER fit people that I know workout in the morning (or at least try). I am not saying that "afternoon people" are not as motivated BUT you have to admit that the PM is where you see all the "posers" and the fashion shows at the gym. Also afternoon people tend to flake and fail more often. What do you think ?

PM "poser" checking in. I prefer the pm that way if I have a **itty day I can let some aggression out. It beats clubbing baby seals.

OkieinMinny

I swing both ways!

I have classes I like to go to and there is an EARLY *kitten* one on Tuesday and Saturdays I go to - BUT then on Mon/Wed/Thur and Fri there are classes at 7:30 PM - I used to be an AVID early am person - but have switched it around and like a little of both -

I agree get it where and when you can!!

Becky_Boodle

I am definitely a morning workout person...

Azdak

I trying to explain the benefits of AM workouts to a friend, can you help? I am an avid MORNING workout person. The reason is that I feel the morning is when all the SUPER serious people go to workout because :

-It's less crowded

-You burn more calories

-You start the day off with a bang

-You workout after being well rested.

Most of the SUPER fit people that I know workout in the morning (or at least try). I am not saying that "afternoon people" are not as motivated BUT you have to admit that the PM is where you see all the "posers" and the fashion shows at the gym. Also afternoon people tend to flake and fail more often. What do you think ?

This is just a lot of self-congratulatory boo-yah.

Different strategies work for different people. There is no inherent benefit --physical or otherwise -- to working out in the morning.

Many people like to do it for behavioral or psychological reasons, but that just means the particular schedule meets their needs, not that it has some universal benefit.

For all of your chest thumping about the SUPER fit people, I see just as many people at 5 am who are rigid and mechanical about their programs and do the same thing EVERY day. They are no more fit today than they were 2 years ago.

I would never assume that my particular routine is the "best" for everyone, just because it suits me.

Azdak

I've heard that people that work out in the mornings feel more self righteous.

+1

kidakiwi04

I'm an am workout person. Mostly because I found that if I put it ouch to later in the day I wind up coming with several very good logical excuses why I can't make it to the gym. So for me it's simply to get it out of the way.

CalJur

I trying to explain the benefits of AM workouts to a friend, can you help? I am an avid MORNING workout person. The reason is that I feel the morning is when all the SUPER serious people go to workout because :

-It's less crowded

-You burn more calories

-You start the day off with a bang

-You workout after being well rested.

Most of the SUPER fit people that I know workout in the morning (or at least try). I am not saying that "afternoon people" are not as motivated BUT you have to admit that the PM is where you see all the "posers" and the fashion shows at the gym. Also afternoon people tend to flake and fail more often. What do you think ?

Different strokes for different folks. Whichever produces your best workout results should be the #1 objective. Period. The rest of the stuff is window dressing.

petreebird

:drinker: PM poser here!!

Oh and just had to say...Azdak, I your avatar!!

maryloo2011

^^^ YES

I trying to explain the benefits of AM workouts to a friend, can you help? I am an avid MORNING workout person. The reason is that I feel the morning is when all the SUPER serious people go to workout because :

-It's less crowded

-You burn more calories

-You start the day off with a bang

-You workout after being well rested.

Most of the SUPER fit people that I know workout in the morning (or at least try). I am not saying that "afternoon people" are not as motivated BUT you have to admit that the PM is where you see all the "posers" and the fashion shows at the gym. Also afternoon people tend to flake and fail more often. What do you think ?

YIKES. Jaw dropped with seeing your initial post as it is overly generalistic and pretty judgmental. I am an AMer... but to each their own. Anyone at the gym, no matter what time, is doing more than sitting on their *kitten* in front of the TV.

nnylee

I trying to explain the benefits of AM workouts to a friend, can you help? I am an avid MORNING workout person. The reason is that I feel the morning is when all the SUPER serious people go to workout because :

-It's less crowded

-You burn more calories

-You start the day off with a bang

-You workout after being well rested.

Most of the SUPER fit people that I know workout in the morning (or at least try). I am not saying that "afternoon people" are not as motivated BUT you have to admit that the PM is where you see all the "posers" and the fashion shows at the gym. Also afternoon people tend to flake and fail more often. What do you think ?

What the heck did I just read?

Edit: Also, I work out in the evening.

MMarvelous

I am an advocate for whatever fits you and your lifestyle the best. I am NOT getting up at 6 am to workout! NOT GONNA HAPPEN! I will workout at 5 pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10 pm and maybe even 11 pm. Only time you see AM behind a workout is Saturday mornings and it is 9 am for the gym that is 5 blocks away LOL I can roll out of bed 15 mins before class - get dressed, brushed me teeth and walk there right on time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More of the classes I like are offered in the evening in my area.

chevy88grl

I am a late night workout person. I am a night owl. I work second shift. There's NO WAY in hell that I'm getting up early to go workout. I have more energy at night and am in a far better frame of mind to face working out at night.

Everyone is different and I don't like that we label AM workout people as more productive than people who work out at night. That's just plain silly. You make it sound like AM people care MORE about weight loss, working out, etc than people who workout at night. And that, is just plain silly.

katheharwood

I trying to explain the benefits of AM workouts to a friend, can you help? I am an avid MORNING workout person. The reason is that I feel the morning is when all the SUPER serious people go to workout because :

-It's less crowded

-You burn more calories

-You start the day off with a bang

-You workout after being well rested.

Most of the SUPER fit people that I know workout in the morning (or at least try). I am not saying that "afternoon people" are not as motivated BUT you have to admit that the PM is where you see all the "posers" and the fashion shows at the gym. Also afternoon people tend to flake and fail more often. What do you think ?

[maryloo2011]
YIKES. Jaw dropped with seeing your initial post as it is overly generalistic and pretty judgmental. I am an AMer... but to each their own. Anyone at the gym, no matter what time, is doing more than sitting on their *kitten* in front of the TV.
[/quote]

I agree with maryloo2011 and with most responses on here when they say that working out, no matter what time of day, is so much better than not working out at all. Gionni, if your friend is working out on a regular basis you should merit and encourage that person instead of criticizing those who workout in the PM. Each person has a routine that works best for them and that's awesome.

doughnutwretch

I flake and fail more at A.M. workouts because quite frankly, I like my sleep. I work my *kitten* off all day every day so when it comes time to rest, I rest.

In regards to P.M.ers, I seldomly see "fashion shows" or "posers" at my gym. I go and put in, at minimum, 40 minutes of strength training sessions and take myself to failer, and then ofter turn around and get in some sort of cardio. You ever done cardio after a leg day? Yeah... it's not for "posers".

It doesn't matter what time of day a person works out, it matters that they work out.

kateroot

Thanks for the burning info, Judgy McJudgerson.