Are workout benefits the same?

Labrum3 · June 2013

I am wondering if I go to workout in the early morning around 4am. Then come home and catch back up on sleep to get my 8 hours would that be fine? Will I get the same benefits as waiting till later in the day to workout? My delimia is my husband goes to work at 6am and then I have the kids and no babysitter. So I was thinking if I get up before him hit the gym, then come home go back to bed when the kids are alseep would this be fine. No only would I get my workout in for each day. I would also get my 8 hours asleep. Any input would help, this seems to be the method that will work best for me. I am just wondering if this would be okay and would still see and get the same benefits as working out later in the day.

Chrystal

jacksonpt · June 2013

Time doesn't matter much, but intensity does. If you're workouts are stronger, harder, faster, etc at one time vs the other, then that can make a difference. But to your specific question... no, the time of the workout won't matter.

Labrum3 · June 2013

Does is matter that I will be going back to bed for about two hours afterwards to get my 8 hours in?

jacksonpt · June 2013

Nope.

Labrum3 · June 2013

I thought if anything I will continue to burn calories while I sleep since three of the days will not only be cardio but strength too. Also another question, should I eat before of after? Or should I eat breakfast about 8am when I get up for the day? Sorry for all the questions I just wanna know what is best before I start this new routine. Thanks

toutmonpossible · June 2013

There are articles and studies about the physiologically most efficient time to work out for most people, but the practical rule is that the best time is when you have the time and will do it. Your plan is fine. It's not like your body is going to "forget" that you made intense energy demands on it.

Studies have shown that people who exercise at the beginning of the day tend to be more consistent because they get it out of the way before there are interruptions and unexpected events.

Congrats on coming up with a solution that works for you.

toutmonpossible · June 2013

I thought if anything I will continue to burn calories while I sleep since three of the days will not only be cardio but strength too. Also another question, should I eat before of after? Or should I eat breakfast about 8am when I get up for the day? Sorry for all the questions I just wanna know what is best before I start this new routine. Thanks

If you can work out without eating (fasted), you should burn a little more fat. Otherwise, have a small snack, a cup of coffee, whatever you need.

I'm not an expert on this, but from what I've read the stuff about burning after exercise overstates the amount of calories (or at least people think there's much more benefit than they actually get) Focus on creating a calorie deficit and getting in an intense workout and you should be fine.

petechiae · June 2013

Like others said, I do not think your workout benefits will change if you go back to bed to complete your 8 hours sleep. However, after I workout, I am super hyper for at least the next 3 hours. Can't sleep. I hope it works differently for you!

Good luck and keep us posted!

toutmonpossible · June 2013

Like others said, I do not think your workout benefits will change if you go back to bed to complete your 8 hours sleep. However, after I workout, I am super hyper for at least the next 3 hours.

It is a common recommendation not to exercise too close to bedtime. That's never been a problem for me. I'm usually pleasantly tired. if I work out in the day, I'm a little too mellow and relaxed and shifting gears to start working again is a pain.

acampbe2umd · June 2013

Well I can definitely relate to you. I go to the gym at 4 a.m. as well because of the husband/kids aspect of life. I prefer to not eat before I workout, but I do have a basic protein shake right afterwards and before I crawl back into bed. I have to get up and get going for the day by 7, so it's not like I sleep for too long afterwards and sometimes not at all, but I get close to my 8 hours overall. Also I eat a normal breakfast around 7:30 after I'm ready for work. I've functioned like this for close to 10 years. It's just that 10 years ago, I started going at 4 a.m. because I liked how less busy the gym was and now it's out of necessity.

Labrum3 · June 2013

There are articles and studies about the physiologically most efficient time to work out for most people, but the practical rule is that the best time is when you have the time and will do it. Your plan is fine. It's not like your body is going to "forget" that you made intense energy demands on it.

Studies have shown that people who exercise at the beginning of the day tend to be more consistent because they get it out of the way before there are interruptions and unexpected events.

Congrats on coming up with a solution that works for you.

I was thinking the same as long as I do it I should be good. I use to go while the kids were in school but now it's summer and that is not a option but I must keep going. As soon as they go back to school in August of coarse I will go back to going at about 8am to the gym but till then I must get there just like you said. I usually shoot for 300 to 400 in calories burned in 30 minutes and then some days I hit strength machines afterwards. I suppose I will probably skip food due to no time but will bring a cup of coffee and of coarse water with me to the gym. I might get some looks bringing coffee but oh well I think I might need it,lol.

Labrum3 · June 2013

Like others said, I do not think your workout benefits will change if you go back to bed to complete your 8 hours sleep. However, after I workout, I am super hyper for at least the next 3 hours. Can't sleep. I hope it works differently for you! Good luck and keep us posted!

I should be fine to go back to sleep but who knows never tried this before.

LorinaLynn · June 2013

When you exercise doesn't matter, but the interrupted sleep might be a problem.

Labrum3 · June 2013

Well I can definitely relate to you. I go to the gym at 4 a.m. as well because of the husband/kids aspect of life. I prefer to not eat before I workout, but I do have a basic protein shake right afterwards and before I crawl back into bed. I have to get up and get going for the day by 7, so it's not like I sleep for too long afterwards and sometimes not at all, but I get close to my 8 hours overall. Also I eat a normal breakfast around 7:30 after I'm ready for work. I've functioned like this for close to 10 years. It's just that 10 years ago, I started going at 4 a.m. because I liked how less busy the gym was and now it's out of necessity.

This is what i am shooting for exact schedule. I plan on getting up at 4am back home by 5:50am since that is when my husband gets ready to go to work. Go back to bed by 6:15 sleep close to 8am. I figure when I do strength I will do a protein shake or some sort of homemade shake. I will make the homemade with greek yogurt, cottage cheese ,something with a lot of protein. Maybe even eat one of those two things by their self before going back to bed.

jacksonpt · June 2013

I thought if anything I will continue to burn calories while I sleep since three of the days will not only be cardio but strength too. Also another question, should I eat before of after? Or should I eat breakfast about 8am when I get up for the day? Sorry for all the questions I just wanna know what is best before I start this new routine. Thanks

As with exercise timing, nutrient timing doesn't matter much. Assuming you are getting in your cals and hitting reasonable macros, the timing doesn't have a significant impact either way. You are far better served putting your time and effort into hitting your cals, having good macro balance, and kicking *kitten* during yoru workouts rather than the ultra fine details like nutrient timing, workout timing, sleep cycles, etc.

Labrum3 · June 2013

Thanks for all input and if any of you out there do a exercise regiment similar let me know how it works for you guys. How you do it because I believe this in gonna be a task. I have no choice though at least not till August when the kids go back to school.

jacksonpt · June 2013

Thanks for all input and if any of you out there do a exercise regiment similar let me know how it works for you guys. How you do it because I believe this in gonna be a task. I have no choice though at least not till August when the kids go back to school.

Lots of people are up early to workout, then take naps later in the day... you should be fine.

Are workout benefits the same?

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