AM or PM exercising??

Christiethorn1
Christiethorn1 Posts: 30 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Just curious about what people think the best time to exercise is?? My husband and I work out every weeknight evening, with 4 kids its our only time. On the weekends we usually find time in the afternoons. I am assuming anytime to exercise is great but I am wondering if AM exercising is better to burn more calories throughout the day??

Replies

  • ChrisLindsay9
    ChrisLindsay9 Posts: 837 Member
    The scientific studies seem to be all over the place, which has led to other studies (and most people) to come to the right conclusion that the best time to exercise is when you can fit a good, solid workout into your schedule. There's no significant advantage to when you exercise to your physiology, rather the effect is going to be best realized when it fits your schedule and how you fit in nutrition before and afterwards.

    Your schedule is exactly the same as mine. Weekday evenings and early or late weekend afternoons. I like to have a somewhat empty stomach before working out, and then eating a meal (dinner or lunch) directly afterwards.
  • justmeg86
    justmeg86 Posts: 40 Member
    I go to the gym after work during the week. FIrst of all, no matter how many times I say I'm going to start geting up in the morning and go before work, it will never happen! Second of all, I feel like I get a better work out in if I have already put in a full day of "work". On weekends when I go I tend to go mid/late morning just to get it out of the way. When I do that it seems like it takes me a good 30 min to "warm up" before I start feeling like I'm being productive. Anyways, I have read several different articles and haven't ever come to a conclusion. I have heard that strength training in the AM and cardio in the PM in beneficial. (don't quote me on that, it could be the other way around) but as I see it, whenever it fits into your schedule, do it! You certainly aren't huring anything =)
  • micheleb15
    micheleb15 Posts: 1,418 Member
    No clue about the science part, but personally I work out at 5:45am. I roll out of bed, brush teeth, change and am out the door in less than 5 min. Working out in the evening is too much of a gamble for me. If I work late it ruins my exercise time. I have to admit though, the time between waking up and working out is the worst part of my day.
  • hatethegame
    hatethegame Posts: 267 Member
    Whatever time of the day you can get it in is good! I've always thought that if you have the option, exercise when you have the highest energy levels. For me, that IS NOT early in the morning but it is nice to get it knocked out first thing. I don't beleive that it makes a big difference in terms of how much weight you lose.
  • rmdaly
    rmdaly Posts: 250 Member
    I like to exercise first thing in the day because I feel like I then start my day with an accomplishment which then makes it easier to eat well throughout the day. Even on weekends, I try to exercise first thing and then tackle the rest of the day.

    If I tell myself that I am going to exercise "later" and sleep in, it is very hard for me to do. I can sometimes do lunchtimes, but almost never late afternoon. By then I am tired and I talk myself out of it.

    Thats just me.
  • Amyes1
    Amyes1 Posts: 41
    I do two 15 minutes walks during the day (breaks at work) and then try for additional evening exercise. I find that if I exercise in the morning I am too hungry during the day, if I do it an hour or two before bed I sleep better and don't know I'm hungry!
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Regardless of studies showing it's better to do it fasted in the morning, I would say the best time to do it is when you feel most up to it. The fact is not everyone is a morning person. Not a morning person? Do it in the PM. If you are, do it in the AM. The best time to exercise is the best time FOR YOU. Not when some study says you burn x more amount of calories.

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