Does Time Really Matter????
NJSunshine13
Posts: 116
I usually take an early lunch at work and go to the gym at 10:30, but I was wondering if it would benefit me more if I went earlier in the morning. I know the mindset of "just get to the gym, it doesn't matter when" and I've read many articles that debate this topic. Has anyone ever noticed an energy or calorie benefit of going to the gym at different times during the day?
0
Replies
-
I am no expert on the subject but in my experience i feel like i have more energy throughout the day if i workout in the morning. When i started working out in the mornings i no longer had the need for a caffeine boost that i had needed desperately every morning before.0
-
I found working out i the morning really sets you up for a great day. Some studies show markers of increased muscle building when training fasted in the morning but its not 100% proven yet. As long as its not messing with your sleep do it when ever your likely to stick to it:laugh: midnight runs can be amazing though.0
-
The biggest change will come from your energy level and mindset.
If you're dragging your butt to the gym early in the day and kinda phoning in your workout, it's not going to be nearly as beneficial as going later when you're more awake.
Also, maximal strength output tends to be lowest early in the morning, peaking in the evening, but a recent study found this can be overcome with a nice dose of caffeine before early morning training.0 -
Im sure someone a little better versed then me will be along - but Id go with the idea that the best time to go to the gym is when you will go and not fight with yourself about it. I used to go first thing after getting the kids to school and spend probably too much time spinning my wheels and not really making progress.
These days I get outside and walk/run when I feel the urge and I lift weights 3x a week as my schedule allows (no set time but I make it happen even if its late which is not ideal but better than missing) And Im more focused this time, making better use of my time.
I have enjoyed this new lack-of-schedule. I go to zumba when the mood hits and I will drop and give myself 20 (or 8 LOL) when the mood hits. I'll throw a vid on if I find a cool one to follow the work out with. Since Im luvin' it - I will stick with it.
Exercising early is probably better for a few reasons - but not SO much more that you're 'doing it wrong' if you dont go early. I for one will NEVER be that chick that peels out of bed before dawn to go work out- NO WAY. Id rather right before bed which never agrees with me- but mornings are the devil and I cant get down with that.0 -
I do my workout fist thing. I feel more energised at that time of day and..................... then I won't spend the rest of the day trying to fit it in/ find excuses why I can't do it today !!!0
-
I usually take an early lunch at work and go to the gym at 10:30, but I was wondering if it would benefit me more if I went earlier in the morning. I know the mindset of "just get to the gym, it doesn't matter when" and I've read many articles that debate this topic. Has anyone ever noticed an energy or calorie benefit of going to the gym at different times during the day?
Just go whenever is convenient to you and a schedule you can be consistent with0 -
I go by "the best time to work out is when you will do it." If you've got a good, regular habit going already, don't mess with it other than to push harder and give it your very best. I discovered when taking my measurements yesterday that during the past year of gym membership (going first thing in the morning), I accomplished absolutely nothing. No measurement had improved by more than about 1/2 inch, and I actually added an inch around my belly.0
-
It doesn't matter. Some people have more energy when they work out first thing in the morning, but I drag so much in the morning that working out would only annoy me and make me feel more tired since I get sort of sleepy two hours post-workout (I know this from experience). I always workout at night, when I have the most energy. I make sure to time it at least 2-3 hours before I go to bed so I'm not all hyped up at bedtime.0
-
I don't think it really matters. I do mine mid-morning and notice results.0
-
I don't think it matters. The "optimum" time for you to work out is most likely the time that works best for YOU (and that differs from person to person).0
-
do what works for you.0
-
The body will adapt, even if it seems a little hard at first.0
-
I do my workout fist thing. I feel more energised at that time of day and..................... then I won't spend the rest of the day trying to fit it in/ find excuses why I can't do it today !!!
This .............exactly!!0 -
I wake up between 4-5 every morning ... I'm not in the mood for much until I've "woken up" .. But I still like to get out there for my walk between 6:30-7:00 every morning .. I walk about an hour and half.
I do have more energy throughout the day. Before I started walking 3 weeks ago - you'd find me taking a good nap in the afternoon for an hour or so. Not anymore - I haven't had a nap in 3 weeks now! I don't need it! Energized and able to make it through the day and being a lot more productive!
I agree with everyone though .. it's really what feels good to you! Taking an early lunch because that's when you know you can get to the gym is perfectly fine. If you're not an early morning person .. then getting up an hour earlier and getting ready at the gym might just not cut it for you.
I don't know about working out late in the evenings .. those endorphin's would keep me up all night! LOL0 -
If I work out early the day is ruined, as I will be tired all day. I don't get a high from working out, not even after years of it. My body just doesn't respond like that. I also can't work out too late, as it makes me too sluggish, and I don't manage to get anything out of it. The optimal time is 3 in the afternoon. At that time I am too tired from a long day of desk-work, and my brain has taken a break. If I work out then, I am done in time for an early dinner, I still have energy to cook something decent, and afterwards I can settle on the couch with my computer, and do a combination of light work and fun until bedtime.
Does it influence the calorie burn? I have no idea, but since it lets me remain resonably active and also leaves energy and time for healthy food, I think it's good.0 -
Working out in the morning helps wake you up and start your metabolism so you process foods better and have more energy through out the day.0
-
The best time of day is the time when you can work out consistently.
:flowerforyou:0 -
Absolutely agree with -do what works best for you and just get it done. Can vary as needed for you personal schedule as well. Try not to over think and over complicate -just get the exercise in to your day and control the food going into your body. Everything else will fall into place.0
-
I'm confused by the responses. It makes no difference at all. None, nada, zilch. Do it when you can.0
-
The "more energy" thing you guys are feeling is because you dont have great blood circulation early in the morning...when you go work out you dilate all those vessels and therefore feel more "energized". Same thing caffeine does to you.
I cant believe people are still preaching the "go in the morning thing" Just go whenever you can...if it kills you to go in the morning...dont do it...go in the evening....if you have no time in the evening to squeeze the gym in....go in the morning....just do it.0 -
I'm confused by the responses. It makes no difference at all. None, nada, zilch. Do it when you can.
this pretty much.
If there is a certain time of day that ensures that you won't miss a day, then thats the optimal time.
That being said, I've read several things that say evening is the most optimal time. Clearly if it doesn't fit your schedule, it's not really best for you. But hormone levels are ideal in the evening for best performance, and you've most likely been up and mobile for a while.
overall just go when you will actually go0 -
I get a burst when I work out in the morning. I actually prefer it because if my feet or knees hurt more when I get home, then I don't work out as long.0
-
I'm confused by the responses. It makes no difference at all. None, nada, zilch. Do it when you can.
this pretty much.
If there is a certain time of day that ensures that you won't miss a day, then thats the optimal time.
That being said, I've read several things that say evening is the most optimal time. Clearly if it doesn't fit your schedule, it's not really best for you. But hormone levels are ideal in the evening for best performance, and you've most likely been up and mobile for a while.
overall just go when you will actually go
Whatever time you can get there consistently is the best time. However, timing your nutrition around the workout is important. Once you become a more advanced trainee, it matters more the time you get to the gym. But for 99% of trainees, it isn't important what time, just that you are consistent and you plan your nutrition properly around the training time.0 -
Of course there are different times of the day that I might have more energy than others, but ultimately it's not going to make a significant enough difference in my results as long as I'm putting in the work. Don't worry so much. Just get to the gym and get your workouts in whenever you can!0
-
I absolutely notice a difference when I workout on my bike in the morning versus the afternoon/evening. It really sets me in a great mood all day and makes me sooo much more energetic throughout. You would think it would make someone less energized but its exactly the opposite. I workout every morning and in my opinion if you can do it in the A.M. then do it. As for weights i do them in the afternoon/evening because like someone stated before, muscles are usually not at their maximum until later in the day. I also always have a nice protein smoothie before my workout every morning for extra energy.0
-
Whatever time you can get there consistently is the best time. However, timing your nutrition around the workout is important. Once you become a more advanced trainee, it matters more the time you get to the gym. But for 99% of trainees, it isn't important what time, just that you are consistent and you plan your nutrition properly around the training time.
exactly.
inb4 someone comes into thread to argue about nutrient timing
0 -
I'm one of those people that my perfect time and my actual time are different. Ideally, I would love to be able to get up, have some breakfast and coffee and hit the gym about an hour later. Enter two school age kids and a full time job and it's not going to happen! So for me, the only time to fit it in is 5am. LIke the others have said - that's the time I can stick to it and do it so that's the time I choose. Are my workouts the best they can be? Maybe not 100% but I'm so used to it after all these years that I don't think the suffer all that much. Better than nothing.0
-
Body temperature is highest for most people at around 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Physical ability is enhanced when body temperature is highest.0
-
Personally, as I work two jobs and one of which has no set schedule, I find it's best for me to just wake up an hour earlier and do my workout then. That way, if I end up having to go straight from one job to another or wouldn't have time to work out AND eat between, I am not forced to make that choice (I will choose eat if it comes to that). My boyfriend complains a bit, but he'll get used to it. :-)0
-
I agree, I think you should work out when it's best for you - when you can fit it in and when you'll give the best effort.
For me, it's in the mornings, not first thing though. I get up and drop the kids off then head back home to work out. I am lucky since I work from home. I have 1-2 hours (depending on the day) from the time I drop the kids off til the time I have to connect to work (via a VPN tunnel). I find that working out in the morning gets me going for the day. I feel energized and accomplished. Plus I work til 7pm and once work is done I have to worry about dinner, baths for the kids, and time with the hubby so working out in the evening would be difficult. I do however, sometimes squeeze in a work out on my lunch hour if needed.
Just kep doing what's right for you. Good luck!!0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.8K Introduce Yourself
- 43.9K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 428 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 15 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions