Exercising before bed?

keegalie
keegalie Posts: 82
in Fitness and Exercise
Will exercising before bed keep me awake longer or will it tire me out and help me get to sleep faster?

Replies

  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    That tends to be an individual thing. See what works for you.
    I was talking to another woman at swimming the other night (it was a late swim 9-10) and she was saying how she'll be awake for another couple of hours now. I could barely make it home. Swimming makes me really sleepy.
    I never have a problem sleeping after any exercise.
  • keegalie
    keegalie Posts: 82
    I'll see how it goes, thanks!
  • silencioesoro
    silencioesoro Posts: 318 Member
    Yeah, it definitely is an individual thing. For me, I sleep better if I do my workouts in the last couple hours before bed. Some people love doing it in the mornings. I hope you figure it out. :)
  • JusticeGirl25
    JusticeGirl25 Posts: 703 Member
    I won't exercise at least two hours before bed. I need time to wind down a little bit before I head to bed and if I work out then go straight to bed, it's not going to work for me.
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    Never seems to phase me, then again, I can down a cup of coffe and go to sleep. Lol.
  • JusticeGirl25
    JusticeGirl25 Posts: 703 Member
    Never seems to phase me, then again, I can down a cup of coffe and go to sleep. Lol.

    Is it decaf coffee that you drink? Haha.
  • auzziecawth66
    auzziecawth66 Posts: 476 Member
    If I exercise at night I tend to be wide awake for 3 or 4 hours after so it is def a no-no if I want to get any sleep... That even includes yoga lol but I'm also a horrendous sleeper to begin with
  • keegalie
    keegalie Posts: 82
    Yeah I always have a hard time sleeping anyways so I'll try it out and see, thanks everyone : )
  • LazyGuy91
    LazyGuy91 Posts: 171 Member
    I usually need an hour or two (at least) after exercise to fall asleep. My energy is way too high.

    HOWEVER... Sometimes I do basic stretches before bed wake up feeling better.
  • Eileen889
    Eileen889 Posts: 117
    Due to my work schedule flip flopping, I always end up working out an hour before going to bed. After a warm shower I have no trouble falling asleep in less than 10 minutes.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Will exercising before bed keep me awake longer or will it tire me out and help me get to sleep faster?

    Well, that is really up to the person. I get energized working out so it would keep me up. usually takes another hour or so to settle.
  • jasondcooper
    jasondcooper Posts: 125
    I definitely fare better in the sleep department when I get my workouts in the morning. I hope you find a schedule that works for you!
  • bbbgamer
    bbbgamer Posts: 582 Member
    try it!
  • CrystalDreams
    CrystalDreams Posts: 418 Member
    I find that working out makes me uber pumped and ridiculously hyper. So I try not to do it before bed. Though I will do some yoga before bed. stretching helps me sleep.
  • shirleygirl910
    shirleygirl910 Posts: 503 Member
    I try to exhaust myself when I workout. By the time I get to the shower I can barely stand. I fall into bed after that. ZZZZZZ
  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    I think if it is immediately before showering and bed, it may keep you awake longer but if it is a couple of hours before it could help you rest... if it is pretty strenuous. Then again, as some said, it is relatively individualistic. Try it.. if it don't work for you, change it ... best wishes on your journey.
  • funforsports
    funforsports Posts: 2,656 Member
    Definitely something you will have to experiment on your own with. It usually takes me a few hours to simmer down after a workout.
  • Trilby16
    Trilby16 Posts: 707 Member
    For me, it's the only block of time I have during the week. I ride my stationary bike while I watch TV in my BR with the lights dimmed low. I have no trouble-- well, no more than usual-- sleeping after it. In fact it's become such a habit, I feel like something's missing if I don't do it.
  • MagJam2004
    MagJam2004 Posts: 651 Member
    I'm really sorry about the necro-bumping, but the thread was my same question. However, what I am concerned about is the build up of lactic acid or some other thing I barely understand inhibiting the repair and growth of my muscles as I just lie there. When I have time to exercise after work, I like to walk it out or do light stretches through the rest of the evening. When I run out of time, I do my 15-20 minute AMRAP, and then with much trepidation, close my eyes not knowing the chemistry that is now at play...
  • mbeuchert24
    mbeuchert24 Posts: 204 Member
    Never seems to phase me, then again, I can down a cup of coffe and go to sleep. Lol.

    Ha, this is me as well!

    I've tried the whole getting up in the morning to work out...yeah, doesn't work for me. But working out at night is perfect for me. My husband does better in the late afternoon before dinner.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Keeps me awake longer.
  • Mizzhill
    Mizzhill Posts: 33 Member
    I workout before bed. The cons is sometimes it is hard for me to fall asleep, the pro is after a good work out it drains me so I fall asleep easier. I'm not a "morning" person so at night works better for me.
  • fitformidlife
    fitformidlife Posts: 103
    Very individual thing. I actually do better with exercise at night in terms of not having it disturb my sleep and being energetic for the workout. Unfortunately I usually have to do it in the morning or time will get away from me and I don't get around to it. Go by your own body's preference as well as which time works best to make sure you get that workout in.
  • AestheticStar
    AestheticStar Posts: 447 Member
    For me, it depends on what I do. Most of the time, I do some relaxing yoga before bed, so I can sleep. It's helped me. If I do cardio, it seems to make me more awake.
  • JanieJack
    JanieJack Posts: 3,831 Member
    Depends on your body. My "bestest" time is right after work, but that rarely happens! Right before bed is better than nothing. Of course, I say this because I can work out right before bed and fall right asleep. People tell me best time is first thing in the morning, but I find that I'm so stiff I don't perform as well as if I wait til later in the day.
  • ashantiallen96
    ashantiallen96 Posts: 2 Member
    I always exercise around 8-9 at night, even though today i'm just about to exercise so pretty late. I'm not a morning person and i don't mind the burst of energy after exercise since i go to sleep pretty late anyway.

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