Does it REALLY matter?

ladybarometer
ladybarometer Posts: 205 Member
edited November 16 in Health and Weight Loss
I usually workout inthe evening before dinner but have considered changing my routine to going to the gym before work in the early morning. Just curious though of what your opinion is...Do you think there is any added benefit to working out the morning instead of the evening?
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Replies

  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    It's all personal preference.

    Me? I can't get my tail out of bed early enough to get to the gym, then home & showered before work.

    I say go for it and see how you feel :)

    ~Lyssa
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Nope. I work out early some days, later others, depending on my work/school/the gym's schedule.
  • cmcdonald525
    cmcdonald525 Posts: 140 Member
    As long as it fits in my schedule, I don't care what time it is! I can exercise at 6am, 4pm, or 11pm and it doesn't really make much of a difference. Though if I exercise right before making dinner I can eat more and not worry about going over my limit.
  • erialcelyob
    erialcelyob Posts: 341 Member
    I always try to workout in the morning as no matter how much I try and tell myself, I never seem to make it in the evenings
  • hezemakiah
    hezemakiah Posts: 157 Member
    I tried to work out very early in the morning for a couple of weeks. It just didn't work for me. I wasn't awake enough to get the most out of my workout. now I work out after dinner and it has made a huge difference. I guess it just depends on the time of day you are more focused and motivated.
  • jssprague
    jssprague Posts: 4 Member
    It would get your workout out of the way for one thing... And it will definitely give you more energy for the rest of the day.
  • tibby531
    tibby531 Posts: 717 Member
    I have to work out before I'm awake enough to talk myself out of it. ;) I also find it helps me deal with the day's rocky points if I've already let off some steam.
  • Justygirl77
    Justygirl77 Posts: 385 Member
    I usually workout inthe evening before dinner but have considered changing my routine to going to the gym before work in the early morning. Just curious though of what your opinion is...Do you think there is any added benefit to working out the morning instead of the evening?
    Probably once you get into a pattern it doesn't matter so much. I prefer very early morning 4AM. And I add to that exercise effort as much as I can throughout the day. I like this pattern.

  • not really, just personal preference.
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    I think its just what works for you. I work out in the morning but it takes me a couple of minutes more to warm up. For me this is the only real difference :-)
  • ScorpioJack_91
    ScorpioJack_91 Posts: 5,241 Member
    Yup as the other dudes say...just personal preference...personally I like working out in the afternoon-evening
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited April 2015
    just sleep issues. if you're cutting out on sleep to work out, that's no good. sleep = recovery, is v important for all health concerns. if working out at night is keeping you up, also no good.

    also if you're sloppy in the morning bc your body's not really warmed up and your mind isn't fully with it, that might make injury more likely (i think i saw a study to that effect)

    ideal time imo is mid-afternoon (head is in the right place, have enough energy, warmed up, fed), but who can do that
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    edited April 2015
    I work out mid-afternoon after all the worker bees go back to their offices. The gym is too crowded early in the morning and in the evenings.

    It seems to me that just getting it done, whenever, is the important part.
  • ladybarometer
    ladybarometer Posts: 205 Member
    Some people say a fasted workout is better, and that usually happens in the morning. Even if I workout in the morning (my morning is 6am) I'm going to eat SOMETHING, or I'll pass out. I love doing spin class in the morning, so I can't just do that on an empty stomach.
  • WestCoastJo82
    WestCoastJo82 Posts: 2,304 Member
    Workout whenever you'll do it. For me, that's first thing in the morning. I have mad skills at talking myself out of doing anything once I get home for the day.
  • newatthis2015
    newatthis2015 Posts: 22 Member
    I'd say work out whenever you are going to work out. Try to find a time that makes you want to work out.
  • em435
    em435 Posts: 210 Member
    Just depends on preference tbh. I used to be an afternoon/evening person but I hate late workouts now as much as I used to hate morning ones.

    The thing that changed it for me was having b'fast + coffee beforehand. I was finally fully awake and fuelled for a workout rather than distracted/tired from a day's work. (I'm up an hour earlier eating and catching up on emails/house errands/planning my day etc.. workout, shower, have a second b'fast and I'm at work by 9am with the whole day to do as I please.) I tried midday workouts too but mornings work best for me as they force me to be sensible the night before - less wine/netflix marathons and more early nights.

    Anyway, I think you just have to pick a time that works and stick to it. Your body will get used to it.

  • DearestWinter
    DearestWinter Posts: 595 Member
    No. Just whatever works best for you. My energy peaks in the mid-afternoon.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I'm an early riser so I take advantage of that.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    personal preference.
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    The only benefit I see from working out first thing in the morning is that I actually do it. After work I found excuse after excuse to not work out.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Some people say a fasted workout is better, and that usually happens in the morning. Even if I workout in the morning (my morning is 6am) I'm going to eat SOMETHING, or I'll pass out. I love doing spin class in the morning, so I can't just do that on an empty stomach.

    Those tiny little things may or may not help people who are very lean get even leaner (although the science is divided). For the general population dietary adherence is the most important thing and the second most important thing is fitting a workout in whenever works best for you.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    edited April 2015
    Only benefit I know of it possible higher testosterone during the afternoon (it declines as the day wear on). But that's in males. Not sure of how it affects a female.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • ElizabethKalmbach
    ElizabethKalmbach Posts: 1,415 Member
    Only thing that matters for me is that I now have short hair that doesn't weather sleeping well. So I work out with bed head to consolidate my day's showers down to ONE...

    (Today I was terrible and slept in, so I've had two showers... wasteful.)
  • StephanieKTerranova
    StephanieKTerranova Posts: 29 Member
    It's all a matter of personal preference. I found for myself that I work out better in the morning with no food in my stomach. I tend to have more energy in the morning and and get through my weight training better. But honestly do whatever works for YOU. :)
  • Smallc10
    Smallc10 Posts: 610 Member
    I find that I actually am stronger in the morning so I can lift a lot more and push through more intense workouts... that still isn't enough motivation for me to do it regularly though ;)
  • FoodFitnessTravel
    FoodFitnessTravel Posts: 294 Member
    I always try to workout in the morning as no matter how much I try and tell myself, I never seem to make it in the evenings

    exactly this
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    Do whatever you can stick with.
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    Nope. Personal preference. I work out when my energy level is the highest. Sometimes thats at 7:00 pm. Sometimes it's at 8:00 am. And sometimes when I'm pulling 24 hour days… it's right smack in the middle!
  • jmagdalena707
    jmagdalena707 Posts: 28 Member
    I workout when our work/family schedule dictates there is time.

    That said, I try to go in the morning whenever I can because willpower tends to favor the morning.
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