Working Out at Night?

rosec005
rosec005 Posts: 67 Member
edited September 26 in Fitness and Exercise
I recently got a membership at a gym and I've been trying to go regularly, but I've been having issues with going at "normal" times during the day. I feel like I'm much more likely to go later in the evening - after 9 or later, but all of the research I've read says to avoid that time because it may disturb sleep. Are there any late-night exercisers out there that could tell me how much it really affects your lifestyle and ability to sleep?

Replies

  • PeaceMe
    PeaceMe Posts: 53 Member
    I like working out first thing in the morning, but I usually do late ones a couple times a week, like 7 or 8 pm. I start work at 6 am half the week and 5 pm the other half, so I just get it in when I can. Working out any time is better than not no matter what time!
  • glendeb
    glendeb Posts: 129 Member
    :happy: I only really have the time at night too. I walk for 30-60 minutes a night (or do once a week strength training), then come home, shower, have a small snack and then relax for an hour or so before bed and I have no issue with sleeping.

    In fact I can't remember the last time before this that I slept so well.
  • theidarisafa
    theidarisafa Posts: 46
    It depends.

    for me, I feel energized after working out.

    It also helps me to destress.

    So I stay up late, but I also work a late shift, so it all works for me.

    what's your schedule.
  • CaroseH
    CaroseH Posts: 72
    I love and prefer working out later in the day, I have to get up really early for work (4:30am), and when I work out, I try to finish an hour before I'd like to go to sleep. It usually doesn't affect my ability to sleep at all, as long as I give myself enough time to shower, get my stuff ready and hop into bed!

    But that's just me. I'd say try working out whenever you can/feels right to you, and if you notice it affecting your sleep, then change it up! Working out late at night is way better than not working out at all! :) Best of luck.
  • Sigra
    Sigra Posts: 374 Member
    I adore going late at night, it used to work amazingly because my SO worked until 9:45 and didn't get home until 10:30 - working out at night is great because the best TV is on at that time. I kind of wish I could go back to it, because I lost weight a lot better than I do now that I switched to mornings since my shift change.

    >>As for the sleep part, I slept the best in my life because I was so pooped after I got out of the gym, guess it just depends what type of person you are!

    Best of luck :)
  • pitterpat4353
    pitterpat4353 Posts: 12 Member
    Well, I think it is all relative. I work night shift 1830-0630...so I often work out at night because that is the time that I am awake. I say give it a try and check it out.
  • Limeinthecoconut
    Limeinthecoconut Posts: 234 Member
    It honestly depends on the person! I go when I have time, which at the moment means I'm going at very odd hours. I find that when I go in the afternoon/evening I have a lot more energy and also I don't want to eat afterwards (which is handy if you're trying to stop snacking :) )

    It depends on when you go to bed as well.
  • GTI_Girl
    GTI_Girl Posts: 207
    I go after work...so from about 10:45 to 12am. I don't go to bed until about 3am anyway so It works out for me. I feel great afterward. A long day at work, an hour at the gym and I am ready to zonk out haha
  • brndygrl98
    brndygrl98 Posts: 196 Member
    I always work out around 8 or 9pm. When I finish, I hop on here, enter my daily stuff, get on FB for awhile, then I shower, read a book and go to sleep. I wouldn't say that it keeps me awake or makes me sleepy. It's just part of my daily routine.
  • ramius
    ramius Posts: 91
    I have worked out at night before.. but I agree with what you've found.. I definitly can tell if I work out too late.. I'd better be planning on staying up really late too.. else I just can't go to sleep or I'll toss and turn for a few hours before falling asleep.. too much energy.. so now I only go at night if I know I'm going to also be up half the night.. like for example .. I would go at 9 - 10pm and then stay up until 3 - 5am

    I've found that going first thing in the morning.. (however distasteful and trust me when I tell you i was a committed night person) has been awesome and now my body will wake me up before my alarm goes off..

    But if your choices are go in the evening or don't go at all.. IMHO go and get in the excercise...

    perhaps some experts on here may have a different opinion.. but thats just been my expierence..

    TTYL
  • rokikio
    rokikio Posts: 92
    Working out in the AM for me just isn't practical (I like the snooze button, LOL) so I do my exercise in the evenings usually between 6-8pm and I don't have a problem sleeping. I sleep like a rock. But everyone is different. Do what works best for you....try different times.
  • achapman01
    achapman01 Posts: 42 Member
    I think if that's the only time you have to work out, go for it! I like to work out at lunch time if possible, but sometimes workout in the evening too. Exercise seems to make it easier to sleep, because your body needs the recovery time even more. As long as you're not trying to sleep the minute you get home, I don't think exercise interferes with sleep. Great Job!
  • rosec005
    rosec005 Posts: 67 Member
    Thanks everyone! My schedule is pretty flexible - I normally work short shifts between noon and 9 pm, which is why I was wondering if I could still go after work and not disrupt my schedule too much! I'm definitely going to try it out and see what happens. Time to jump into sweats! Thanks for your advice!
  • 1113cw
    1113cw Posts: 830 Member
    Agree with the other posters. I personally am a morning person. My best workouts are either first thing in the AM (6am) or at least before noon. The few times I have to workout in the PM after work, I usually find myself dragging. Although it doesn't affect my sleep, I don't feel the energy I do earlier in the day. I say experiment and do what makes you feel best!
  • Jess21684
    Jess21684 Posts: 202 Member
    i hear ya girl. I tend to always work out later in the evenings as well. depending on what you do like I do a lot of high intensity stuff so yeah it does kinda get my endorphins going and then it takes a tiny bit of time for me to come back down but i usually always stay up really late bc i dont work till 2 or 3pm most days of the wk so im used to it and it doesnt affect my sleep much. but if you hafta or try to go to bed soon after, it may be harder for you to fall asleep.. but if you go to bed late and it doesnt affect your work schedule and you enjoy working out most that time of day, then go for it if it dont work, then try a different solution ;) good luck!
  • robinaddison
    robinaddison Posts: 232 Member
    I work evening shift which means I'm done at 11pm. I usually do my workout after work, then go home, have a snack and go to bed...and right to sleep. Even breaking 2 of the cardinal "rules"(working out and eating at night), I'm still losing weight, gaining muscle and feeling better than ever!
  • glendeb
    glendeb Posts: 129 Member
    Just wanted to add that if I exercise too early in the day I'm starving and want to snack all day. If I do it at night I'm about to go to bed, so I don't have the same hunger issues
  • MissbusyLizzie
    MissbusyLizzie Posts: 326 Member
    I usually work out at night because my schedule is sooo busy. I also used to be a very light sleeper- always waking up multiple times during the night. I sleep like a ROCK now. I am more rested after 5 hours of sleep after the gym than I am 8 without! I think it all depends on the person. Try it out and see what works for you! :)
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
    I can do strength training at night but not cardio. It winds me up and I can't sleep.
  • BigManonaMission
    BigManonaMission Posts: 1 Member
    We have new exercise equiptment here at my condo complex, but the fitness room is only open during office hours so it makes it hard to use the stuff. I have been walking at night too, usually around 9-10pm and its been pretty good. I vary the routine and try to get in an afternoon either in the fitness room or we have a rails-to-trails walking park here which is awesome! I try that sometimes, especially weekends. :smile:
  • makena78
    makena78 Posts: 162 Member
    I have 2 young kids and during the summer it's a pain in the butt to workout during the day. And still I am in the habit of working out when they are asleep. I read the articles too but, felt I should go with what my body tells me instead. If I'm not too tired to workout at night then I will. There is no way I can workout in the morning though, it ruins my day, too tired. Go with how you feel not what research says. Working out at night if you have the energy is better than not working out at all.
  • W0zzie
    W0zzie Posts: 262 Member
    I probably do most of my routine against the grain & it hasn't done me harm as yet - no stalls, all going to plan.

    I am seriously not a morning person :/

    I workout around 8-9pm followed by dinner, shower, bit of relax (MPF updates inc) and bed. Workouts can be 30-60min light to extreme. It sure doesn't do my sleep any harm in fact I"m sleeping better post fitness kick / MFP than I have in a long time.
  • vwbug86
    vwbug86 Posts: 283 Member
    What I have read is that it is not so much what time you are working out but how soon you are going to sleep. You shouldn't work out about 2 hrs before you plan to go to bed. For me my work out are in the morning when I just wake up and later in the afternoon again.
  • Peatrain
    Peatrain Posts: 2
    From what i read the only reason that it is not advisable to exercise at night is because your adrenaline goes high when you exercise so it will be difficult to sleep. However, different folks, different strokes. It really depends on you and your body. I run during the night because it is therapeutic for me, i get to relax my brain so i dont think of work when i get home . After an hour, i'm asleep! For me it's a better way to sleep - just tired and not thinking of work. Listen to your body. What works for you may not work for others and vice-versa. Happy workout!
  • jaygirl3
    jaygirl3 Posts: 320 Member
    I exercise at night only. hardly ever in the mornings. 11pm to 12 midnight. After which isleep like a baby
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