Is is better to exercise in the am or pm

ktilton70130
ktilton70130 Posts: 211 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Is it better to exercise in the morning at the beginning of the end or at the end of the day before you go to sleep? Which has proven to be more effective for calorie burn ?
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Replies

  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited April 2016
    Neither. Just like when to eat meals, the timing of your exercise has no effect on calorie burn. Do what works best with your schedule and what makes you feel most comfortable.

    Personally, I have found that exercising later at night keeps me from falling asleep. The endorphins or whatever act almost like caffeine on my system. I also prefer to do my walking in the morning during summer so I can avoid the hottest part of the day since I don't deal with heat well.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,985 Member
    Matter of preference. While there may be some advantage for some due to how their day goes, as mentioned above, consistency is more important and that just goes back to preference.


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  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Whichever time works best for you and fits into your schedule.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    ktilton70130 wrote: »
    Which has proven to be more effective for calorie burn ?

    Calorie burn = time and intensity.

    Do what fits into your schedule.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    It's better to exercise whenever the hell you want
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    ktilton70130 wrote: »
    Is it better to exercise in the morning at the beginning of the end or at the end of the day before you go to sleep? Which has proven to be more effective for calorie burn ?

    Yes. B)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Right before bed? Unless it's gentle yoga - not good, winds me up, pushes back sleep.

    Otherwise, what the posters above said.
  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    I find I burn more calories if I work out in the morning...because I have far more energy and am willing to push myself an extra few minutes each day. I would have less to give my workout at the end of the day being tired. I'd probably be burning far less as a result because I'd do the bare minimum I "made" myself do.
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    I'm just one of those weird people who prefer nighttime workouts. I actually find they help me sleep better. But it's all personal preference. Any time is the right time.
  • robot_potato
    robot_potato Posts: 1,535 Member
    Whenever you can. I usually do cardio in the morning/early afternoon and strength train after everyone else is in bed. It's just what I can manage with my schedule.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Morning is when mine fit so morning is when they get done. I train just as well the occasional time I have to do afternoon though.
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    I find that I have more energy if I workout in the morning. But that's my personal preference.
  • FooDog82
    FooDog82 Posts: 9 Member
    I like to train in the mornings so that I can have a big breakfast afterwards and get a lot of carbs in afterwards. I then find hitting my macros for the rest of the day a lot easier.
    But really it doesn't matter too much when you train, just do it when you feel you can work your hardest.
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    I prefer mornings but with a new work schedule I am not getting up any earlier than I do already so I live with evenings.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Whenever you want. I workout in the mornings so I don't have to shower twice.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    ktilton70130 wrote: »
    Is it better to exercise in the morning at the beginning of the end or at the end of the day before you go to sleep? Which has proven to be more effective for calorie burn ?

    Why would it matter? Timing of exercise has nothing to do with how many calories you burn...calorie burn is dependent on mass moved over distance and intensity.
  • JoeCWV
    JoeCWV Posts: 213 Member
    I prefer in the late afternoon about an hour after dinner. It's just what works for me. The best time to work out is an individual thing. If I had to work out in the morning I never would. I'm not a morning type person.
  • lemmie177
    lemmie177 Posts: 479 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    ktilton70130 wrote: »
    Is it better to exercise in the morning at the beginning of the end or at the end of the day before you go to sleep? Which has proven to be more effective for calorie burn ?

    Why would it matter? Timing of exercise has nothing to do with how many calories you burn...calorie burn is dependent on mass moved over distance and intensity.

    It's a legitimate question, or at least legitimate enough that ppl have done studies about it. Ofc, in the real world, adherence is the biggest determinant of success. BUT I've seen studies where ppl actually do more work (=burn more calories) in the PM at the same rate of perceived exertion (RPE), i.e. exercise feels easier in the afternoon. Conversely, I've seen studies where the same workout is rated a lower RPE in the AM. *shrug* I suspect its personal, but most will do more work in the afternoon all else being equal.

    Personally, I like morning workouts. My energy just feels a lot steadier. But if I actually look at my #'s, I'm able to move more weight during pm workouts.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Why not both?
  • cocobee2016
    cocobee2016 Posts: 11 Member
    For me,definitely the am cos it keeps me motivated to stick to my plan for the day and not make excuses to get out of exercise or when that feeling of laziness sets in,you know,when u start sayin to yourself "ugh I can't be bothered" or "i feel like pigging out all day on junk food without tracking and start again tomorrow". It also stops me from overeating or bingeing. It's a mental thing. At the moment I do both tho, only because I have the flexibility in hours working from home so it's a brisk walk in the morning I love the fresh air and then late afternoon my workout for the day and more walking with my fitbit.
  • noah_mac
    noah_mac Posts: 30 Member
    I used to work out around 9-11pm; i changed to morning workouts (4am) a few weeks ago and while it's hard getting up to begin with I actually feel a lot more rested and energized now ☺ give both a shot and see which works best for you!
  • ktilton70130
    ktilton70130 Posts: 211 Member
    Thank you guys for your feedback, it is greatly appreciated.
  • ktilton70130
    ktilton70130 Posts: 211 Member
    MissusMoon wrote: »
    I find I burn more calories if I work out in the morning...because I have far more energy and am willing to push myself an extra few minutes each day. I would have less to give my workout at the end of the day being tired. I'd probably be burning far less as a result because I'd do the bare minimum I "made" myself do.

    I agree with your statement "made myself do", because depending on how my day go I have found myself doing the bare minimum because I am making myself do it. I will however begin doing something in the morning and do a little something at night. Perhaps this may work. Thanks for your feedback.
  • ktilton70130
    ktilton70130 Posts: 211 Member
    noah_mac wrote: »
    I used to work out around 9-11pm; i changed to morning workouts (4am) a few weeks ago and while it's hard getting up to begin with I actually feel a lot more rested and energized now ☺ give both a shot and see which works best for you!

    I will try that. I will give both a shot and see which works better. I may do part of my workout in the am and part in the afternoon. Thank you for your feedback, greatly appreciated.
  • paulajobelle
    paulajobelle Posts: 23 Member
    I mix it up, exercise in the evenings during the work week and in the mornings on the weekend. Ultimately it does not matter when you exercise as long as you do it consistently and keep challenging yourself. Sometimes I break it into (3) 15 minute mini sessions just so I can try something new (such as 15 min on a stair climber, 15 minutes on a rowing machine and then 15 minutes on the old faithful elliptical).
  • ktilton70130
    ktilton70130 Posts: 211 Member
    streem26 wrote: »
    I m hate go to gim so I do my exercise at home. In the morning 5 times per week I run. 2 times per week go to pool and try do that activity which enjoy. Also want to buy some inexpensive treadmill home like this.jonsguide.org/best-treadmill-home/ perhaps it will be elliptical. If it lasts a couple years, it's cheaper than a gym membership and way more convenient for me.

    I also workout at home,outside in my neighborhood and at the park. I have began building a home gym. I feel that I have no excuse if I have the equipment at home.I have free weights, kettle bells, jump rope, my stairs and go to the park for the track or run around my neighborhood.I agree it is cheaper and more convenient. I exercise 6 times a week with one rest day being Sunday.Thanks for your feedback I greatly appreciate it.
  • jonjaxmom
    jonjaxmom Posts: 77 Member
    My schedule is crazy, I work all day and I have 2 boys who are active on several sports teams. Most times I wait until nighttime... kids have eaten, homework done, and settling in for the night. I go to the gym 9pm most times. In bed and asleep by 11:15. Not sure if I would burn more in the early am, but this is what fits into my lifestyle, so I embrace it.
  • wonko221
    wonko221 Posts: 292 Member
    I find that if i get up in the morning and go for a run, my whole day at work goes better. I feel better. I've got a sense of accomplishment early on. My thoughts are more orderly. I feel more prepared for whatever the day will bring.

    That alone has been enough to drag me out of bed before the sun comes up.

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