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Which do you prefer:

emilykayftw
emilykayftw Posts: 11
edited January 9 in Fitness and Exercise
Exercise in the morning, afternoon, or evening? And why?

I prefer the evening. I feel like I have more energy when begining, plus I'm properly stretched, and I love extra bout of energy I get after I exercise. I also like going to bed feeling like I've acheived something. And generally, I eat better throughout the day knowing I'm going to work out in the evening. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it (:

Feel free to add!
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Replies

  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    Middle of the day or early evening. I used to run in the morning but then my kids learned to sleep in and I decided that 10yrs of getting up early was enough. Now I run after work but before I pick up the kids. Lets me relax and refocus. During the summer (I teach) I will run in the early evening while the kids are at sports practice.
  • emilykayftw
    emilykayftw Posts: 11
    That's awesome that you're continuing to be active with children.. I really hope I have the same motivation when I have a family. It's so easy for me to take time for myself since I'm single, but I can't imagine keeping my same schedule with a family. I'm really encouraged when I hear of busy Moms sticking to their healthy lifestyle. Way to go (:
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    Early morning - like 5:30am. Because there's fewer people in the gym so I can (usually) get in, do what I want/need to do, and get out.
  • porkchop_13
    porkchop_13 Posts: 122
    The only time i have any kind of motivation is early in the morning, like 430am! I wish i could do it in the evening after work but i'm just too darned tired....hmmm maybe b/c i get up at 430 regardless LOL
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    Mornings. I'm a morning person and have waaaaay more energy then. Like, ungodly amounts of energy. By 2 PM, I'm half dead to the world. I occasionally drop in some cardio in the evening, but don't like it there as much. That's the only time the BF can workout, though, so I slog through it.

    Morning workouts also help keep me on track. I feel accomplished, so even if the food part of my day goes to hell, I know I at least did some good early on. Also -
    maybe b/c i get up at 430 regardless LOL

    ME TOO! Between 3 and 4:30 AM. My body is just wired like that. Glad I'm not the only one!
  • VeinsAndBones
    VeinsAndBones Posts: 550 Member
    Evening, allows my mind to think i'm burning off all my junk xD
  • sixpacklady
    sixpacklady Posts: 582 Member
    This^^. I burn more calories for an afternoon/eve workout than I do in the morning.
  • RobfromLakewood
    RobfromLakewood Posts: 684
    Right after work, I leave for work by 6:00 and just can't get into working out at 4:30 or so.
  • bejuled74
    bejuled74 Posts: 191 Member
    MORNINGS!!! I am not a morning person, but because of my commute to work and where my gym is located, I had to go in the mornings...and I love it. I try to get there before 6:00, there's not a lot of people there...certainly none of the chit chatters. I get my work out done with ease and I shower and go to work. I've tried evening workouts but I don't have as much stamina after work..I get a much better work out in the morning. Ideally, I'd like to do cardio in the morning and lift in the evenings...but I haven't figured out how to fit that in yet.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Crack of dawn. I have no excuses and none of life's daily fires gets a chance to stop me from working out. I can't blame work, or my kids, or missing lunch. Alarm goes off and i put on shoes and hit the door. If i miss it's all on me. I don't miss.
  • _DaniD_
    _DaniD_ Posts: 2,186 Member
    Depends which day of the week it is. Fridays, always morning.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    evenings, always. I'm more warmed up and able to lift more.
  • SatchGallamax
    SatchGallamax Posts: 549 Member
    Evenings, after work. On running days (which I do outside) I often don't even go until 9pm or later.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Morning! Early morning - love starting my day with it. Plus, since I workout at home, I need to get it done before the rest of the family is up and in my way. Or I'm in their way. Or both. :tongue:
  • marthathebear
    marthathebear Posts: 498
    morning if at all possible. get going, get done.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    I prefer early-mid morning, but my life mandates that I go to between 4 and 5:30 Monday through Friday now. My daughter takes her martial arts class at that time, so I hit the gym, which is downstairs from her class. Wouldn't make sense to go to the same building twice if I can go once.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    i feel strongest at about 11 a.m. so thats when i prefer to weight lift. as for cardio it doesnt really matter to me.
  • Zumaria1
    Zumaria1 Posts: 225 Member
    Generally early eve, around 6-7:30. If I'm at home I will work out earlier. So funny, I was just about to ask what time is better to work out! I guess from the answers here it just depends on the person.
  • dandandee
    dandandee Posts: 301 Member
    always around lunch time or sometime in the afternoon. it just works best for my class schedule, but I also actually really like it. I could never be motivated enough to do a morning workout, and even if I were chances are it wouldn't be as intense as my early afternoon ones.
  • MaximizedGains
    MaximizedGains Posts: 12
    All of them, you mad?
  • Shamrock_me
    Shamrock_me Posts: 161
    4:30 AM - that's the time for me
    I'm not a sharer so waiting for equipment makes me really grumpy.
    I'm also not super social at that time of day & the gym is empty except for the one guy who does a quick 30 minutes and goes to work. We nod at each other.. that's about it for social ability.
    Sometimes I fart a lot so if I'm at the gym by myself no reason for embarrassment!!
    I can steal fans from in front of other equipment. No one else needs them and as stated I fart a lot some days so with the fan it's dissipated!!
    No one is staring at my *kitten* while I'm on the elliptical (creepy guy on the machine behind me YOU know who you are!!)
    I can try any equipment out and not feel like I look like an idiot on it.

    Hope you smiled!!!
  • sovannac
    sovannac Posts: 445 Member
    Evening workouts work out best for me. I've tried working out in the morning and yes I get that extra jump of energy but by the afternoon, I'm ready for a nap. I look forward to my evening workouts even though I workout a little bit later than most people.. It's ranges from 7pm - 10pm depending on my schedule.
  • culuriel
    culuriel Posts: 11 Member
    Early evening, right after work. For most of the reasons you've already described - a body that's been up and about during the day is partly warmed up, just needs a few minutes of easy activity and stretching. Exercise is also a great de-stresser after work. I've tried working out when I get up and it's just miserable.
  • becujo
    becujo Posts: 26 Member
    I prefer afternoon workouts since my brain is more awake by then, but I dont always have the opportunity. So I usually work out evenings after kids go to bed. It helps me keep my dinner light, knowing Im going to be doing cardio later. Plus on days I overeat, I have an idea of excess calories I need to burn off.
  • 1brokegal44
    1brokegal44 Posts: 562 Member
    5pm-ish--right after work. Great way to blow off stress from the day. Plus I have an hour commute home, so no way I want to work out after sitting in a traffic jam for that long.
  • imthejenjen
    imthejenjen Posts: 265 Member
    MORNING definitely. you feel good for the rest of the day. And the best part: you dont have to think, "dang, i still need to exercise today, blah!" throughout your day. ;] Mornings are the best, imo
  • kellyrae1189
    kellyrae1189 Posts: 14 Member
    Evenings. I always feel gross after a workout and have to shower immediately, and then I am ready for bed. :) On a day I don't have much going on I'll work out in the morning, but usually I'd rather sleep in the extra half hour!
  • emilykayftw
    emilykayftw Posts: 11
    Evenings. I always feel gross after a workout and have to shower immediately, and then I am ready for bed. :) On a day I don't have much going on I'll work out in the morning, but usually I'd rather sleep in the extra half hour!

    Same hereee. That extra 25-30 mins is just the best.
  • cloud9mn
    cloud9mn Posts: 1
    Definitely not a morning person - I've tried morning workouts a few times, and it's just painful for me to get up early enough to get a workout in before work.

    Plus - you know how people say, "I love working out in the morning - I feel energized all day!" - well, the times I tried it, I just felt tired all day, lol.

    So it's evenings for me. I also like that I don't have the time pressure and if I want to do an extra 15 minutes, or do a nice long stretch afterwards, I can do that.
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    i prefer to workout in the afternoon- i usually take my lunch break at the gym. Its a nice stress reliever in the middle of my day. I wish I could be a morning workout person but no way am i getting up early and losing any precious sleep. Working out in the evenings tends to keep me awake at night
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