Better to exercise in morning or at night?

Korrora
Korrora Posts: 8
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been doing them in the morning, but I think it would be better at night, because I tend to eat more after exercise. If I exercise at night, I wouldn't eat because it's already late. Would I burn less calories if I exercise at night?
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Replies

  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,659 Member
    I've been doing them in the morning, but I think it would be better at night, because I tend to eat more after exercise. If I exercise at night, I wouldn't eat because it's already late. Would I burn less calories if I exercise at night?

    Burning calories is not determined by the time of day (or night) that it is done, it is determined by the amount of effort put in.

    There is no better time to exercise, but the best time to exercise is the one that you enjoy the most.
  • mikeykhan2003
    mikeykhan2003 Posts: 177
    You can do some fun things with your newly awake hormone levels. but most of that is probably more trouble than it's worth.

    I will say that going to sleep hungry is not fun.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    doesn't matter.

    do which ever fits in your schedule that is sustainable.

    I love working out in the AM- but two things.
    1.) I hate waking up early- I can barely get up at 6 as it is
    2.) I'm STARVING all day- and I tend to over eat.
    ...

    wait... no three things
    3.) getting to the gym is more efficient at 9 PM for me. (granted I live alone with no SO or kids or anything- so it works for me- also contributes to my barel waking up since i'm there till 11 LMAO)

    do whatever is best for you- the timing is kind of irrelevant. if you hate AM workouts- you probably won't stick with it. And you need something you can stick with long term.
  • jfauci
    jfauci Posts: 531 Member
    Either one is fine - as long as you get it in. Personally, I hate working out in the morning. I've tried it and it just doesn't work for me. I get a great workout done in the evening. Whatever makes you most comfortable.
  • DMZ_1
    DMZ_1 Posts: 2,889 Member
    I like doing it in the morning if I can. But sometimes it is easier to do at night. If I am playing a sport with others, that's more likely to be done in the evening than the early morning hours on a weekday.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    It's a matter of personal preference as far as I'm concerned.
  • rbear713
    rbear713 Posts: 220 Member
    [/quote]
    Burning calories is not determined by the time of day (or night) that it is done, it is determined by the amount of effort put in.

    There is no better time to exercise, but the best time to exercise is the one that you enjoy the most.
    [/quote]

    Dont know where the quote box whent, but ^^THIS

    VERY WELL PUT. In slang, it comes out like this: U GOTTA DO U!
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Obligatory joke.

    If you're not starting at 2:22 am and ending exactly 3 seconds prior to 3:33 am, you're doing it wrong.


    Nah you're fine, workout whenever you like. Also, doesn't make a difference if you do it with an empty stomach or not, and it's actually a good thing to eat afterwards, helps with recovery.

    Remember there's no difference from what your body needs as an athlete or as someone who wants to loose weight... give your body what it needs. Be healthy.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Just like meal timing doesn't matter, it doesn't matter when you exercise as long as you do it. I personally exercise at night because I can't get up any earlier than 5:30am (the time I get ready for work).
  • laineybz
    laineybz Posts: 704 Member
    I prefer it in the morning, first thing i do. Today i had to go out early so did it when i got home around 1pm. Didn't put as much effort in as i normally do. I've noticed it a few times so morning is always better for me. BUT if it has to be done later, i do it later.
  • Ideabaker
    Ideabaker Posts: 531 Member
    I think the best time to work out is whenever you have the most energy and desire to get moving.

    I prefer working out in the morning, before my sleepy body knows what I'm doing ;)! Fifteen minutes into the workout, I feel energised and alert.

    Usually, I eat a small mini-breakfast before the workout, then always eat breakfast afterwards to stave off the hungries.

    I have been known to do a second workout after work if it was a particularly stressful day, just to get rid of energy. Both times seem to work equally well for me.
  • Denjo060
    Denjo060 Posts: 1,008
    I do both (well for the last two weeks) I didnt have time to go after work so now I get up at 5:30 and do an hour at home and on Monday and Thursday night I work out in the morning and do a zumba class at night So do what works for you
  • admegamo
    admegamo Posts: 175 Member
    It doesn't matter when burning calories but it depending on your health, it can affect your blood sugar. I'm pre-diabetic and when I exercise before bed my blood sugar drops too low so that my body release more insulin than needed and when I wake up in the morning and check it, it runs high.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    Whenever.

    I prefer nights because it is more convenient for me. I am not a morning person at all, and I like arriving at the gym when it has calmed down a little. I hate working out when I feel like I am in the middle of a circus or if I have to compete for a station. Then after the gym, I like to go home, eat, relax and eventually sleep.

    There's no magical time where you'll burn more calories. Truly it is all about what you prefer.
  • Korrora
    Korrora Posts: 8
    I will say that going to sleep hungry is not fun.
    Well, I'm not too hungry at bed, just peckish.
  • CountryGirl8542
    CountryGirl8542 Posts: 449 Member
    I've been doing them in the morning, but I think it would be better at night, because I tend to eat more after exercise. If I exercise at night, I wouldn't eat because it's already late. Would I burn less calories if I exercise at night?

    Burning calories is not determined by the time of day (or night) that it is done, it is determined by the amount of effort put in.

    There is no better time to exercise, but the best time to exercise is the one that you enjoy the most.

    This^^

    I do it every morning because that is the only time of day that I have time to workout and I like getting it "done and over with" kind thing... even though I do enjoy it... it is just nice not thinking all day that I am going to have to workout after I am done work.
  • Donald_Dozier_50
    Donald_Dozier_50 Posts: 395 Member
    I exercise periodically throughout the day every day. Today for example, I am doing my usual walking which I break up into various distances of between usually 3 to 6 miles. I set no time of the day or duration of exercise due to excessive pain from disability, instead choosing to set a number of mile. I exercise generally 5 or more times a day BUT then again being disabled, I am home to do that.

    Time of day is irrelevant, actually doing the exercise is all that counts.
  • punkahontas71
    punkahontas71 Posts: 73 Member
    My morning workouts always seem a bit weaker. I feel like my pm workouts I can pump out a little more. I feel like my muscles need all day to warm up. Works for me.:happy:
  • woolnimals
    woolnimals Posts: 10 Member
    I'm so relieved to read these replies. I've always felt guilty for not being able to drag my butt out of bed in the morning and work out. After 34 years, I think I can finally accept that I'm not a morning person. Exercise in the evening is better than no excercise at all...as far as I'm concerned.

    :bigsmile:
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Would I burn less calories if I exercise at night?

    If you are talking about relatively modest amounts of exercise, that's not something you have to worry about, unless you have very unusual eating patterns.
  • TuDominicano
    TuDominicano Posts: 120 Member
    Well said. I love my morning workouts, have the rest of the day to do whatever. Just consider that if you do workout in the evening, you'll still need something to replish yourself. You can go and have a lite meal, but you'll need to eat something. Your body is going to need the fuel. But what was said below, NAILED IT
    I've been doing them in the morning, but I think it would be better at night, because I tend to eat more after exercise. If I exercise at night, I wouldn't eat because it's already late. Would I burn less calories if I exercise at night?

    Burning calories is not determined by the time of day (or night) that it is done, it is determined by the amount of effort put in.

    There is no better time to exercise, but the best time to exercise is the one that you enjoy the most.
  • Samuraiko
    Samuraiko Posts: 180 Member
    I'm also an afternoon/evening person. I've seen several people mention that eating something light after an evening workout would be sensible... what would you recommend?
  • mkim3138
    mkim3138 Posts: 80
    I've tried going in the morning and I almost dropped a weight on my face :noway: I go at night now, lesson learned =D the only thing with going at night is you gotta make sure you go even if you don't feel like it.
  • tificreole
    tificreole Posts: 18 Member
    Having a family, I have to work around them. I work out 2 times a week in the morning and one in the evening.
    In the morning I usually skip my usual breakfast and have a banana/protein/strawberry smoothie which I have prepared to go the night before. Then I have a running session on the week end ... a Long Slow Run of about 45min which I am trying to build up to 1 hr.
    The evening session I have the same thing as it would be too late for me to have a huge meal. The potassium in the banana helps with recovery and the protein with staving off hunger. I found out after trial and error tha 100gm of banana is enough otherwise my sugar intake is too high.
    If I had the choice I would definitely work out in the morning as I find out that it puts me in a good mood for the day.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    The best time to exercise is when you have time, energy and motivation. Your hormonal levels at differing times of the day will not be vary enough to make a significant difference to overall weight loss or weight gain.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Meal frequency has absolutely no bearing on weight loss and that being said exercise when you can get it in...... Best of luck
  • staplebug
    staplebug Posts: 189
    People have success either way, I would suggest you be sure you've eaten something 45 minutes before working out (this is why I can't workout first thing in the morning anymore, I never had energy if I did it before breakfast). Also, if you work out at the same time every day, your body will get accustomed to it and start releasing more testosterone at that time to help you power through your workouts.
  • lainie644
    lainie644 Posts: 19 Member
    I believe afternoon exercise is the best. You will start your day around 6am with a shower and a 350 to 500 calorie breakfast.

    Then around noon you will eat a high calorie lunch. 30 minutes to 60 minutes later you can exercise.

    It is good not to eat after 6pm because your food will not have time to digest completely before you go to bed. It takes roughly 5 hours for your food to go through the digestive system. If it takes longer, then you are not eating enough fiber.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I would prefer to exercise in the morning because I am a morning person and am more energetic in the AM. However, I belong to a gym where the exercise classes given are in the evening so I usually wait until then. I find it harder to go to sleep when I exercise at night, but I try to stay up for a couple of hours when I do it so that I calm down some.
  • lisal11
    lisal11 Posts: 59 Member
    Do it whenever you are most likely to do it.

    I need to do it first thing, shower and start my day or it won't get done. If I try to do it at night, I'm already tired from a long day (and two toddlers burn me out) so I'll think up a million excuses not to.

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