Morning or Evening
taragaddy26
Posts: 22 Member
Hello all,
Just curious about opinions on which is more effective on weight loss, morning or evening workouts?
I have attempted many times to get myself up at 430 am to get my workout in but I just absolutely cannot make myself do it. I get plenty of sleep, I use food for fuel, but I'm just so tired in the mornings. What ends up happening is that I set my scheduled workouts, then completely obliterate my entire schedule.
However, if I take the time after work to set aside for a workout, I get it done, without fail.
Should I just stick to this, considering it seems to be no fail for me on actually accomplishing a daily workout?
Or should I try to find a way to get myself in gear in the mornings? Is there a difference in effectiveness?
Any information is greatly appreciated.
Just curious about opinions on which is more effective on weight loss, morning or evening workouts?
I have attempted many times to get myself up at 430 am to get my workout in but I just absolutely cannot make myself do it. I get plenty of sleep, I use food for fuel, but I'm just so tired in the mornings. What ends up happening is that I set my scheduled workouts, then completely obliterate my entire schedule.
However, if I take the time after work to set aside for a workout, I get it done, without fail.
Should I just stick to this, considering it seems to be no fail for me on actually accomplishing a daily workout?
Or should I try to find a way to get myself in gear in the mornings? Is there a difference in effectiveness?
Any information is greatly appreciated.
1
Replies
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The one that's more effective for burning energy is the one you'll actually do. If you won't do it, it burns 0 calories.16
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^ Exactly. The most optimal time to work out is the time you’re most likely to consistently do it. Other than that, it makes no difference.The one that's more effective for burning energy is the one you'll actually do. If you won't do it, it burns 0 calories.
I’m not a morning person at all. If I scheduled my workouts at 5:00 am, I’d miss a lot of workouts. Therefore, they’d be a lot less effective than doing them at a time when I actually am awake and feel human enough to work out.4 -
Weight loss is more about the food you eat, than the workouts you do. But if you wish to include workouts, time of day doesn't matter. I find it a lot easier to do evenings consistently.7
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Thank you all. It was just something I was curious about. I know diet is the most important but since I am including exercise I wanted to know what others thought. There seems to be widespread belief online that morning workouts are more effective. However, I agree with you all, it is most effective when I'm doing it at all. Thanks again.1
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I’ve tried for so long to be morning exercise person. I just can’t. But my evening workouts have been very effective!2
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taragaddy26 wrote: »Thank you all. It was just something I was curious about. I know diet is the most important but since I am including exercise I wanted to know what others thought. There seems to be widespread belief online that morning workouts are more effective. However, I agree with you all, it is most effective when I'm doing it at all. Thanks again.
There are a lot of "widespread beliefs online" that aren't backed by any kind of reliable evidence. That's one of them. The most sub-optimal thing I can think of would be training at a time of day when your energy levels are low and/or when you're more likely to blow off workouts.4 -
For me it's the other way around, I get much better/harder workouts in the mornings when I'm still full of energy rather than after all day at work. I guess it's just a personal preference and will be different for everyone1
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^ Exactly. The most optimal time to work out is the time you’re most likely to consistently do it. Other than that, it makes no difference.The one that's more effective for burning energy is the one you'll actually do. If you won't do it, it burns 0 calories.
I’m not a morning person at all. If I scheduled my workouts at 5:00 am, I’d miss a lot of workouts. Therefore, they’d be a lot less effective than doing them at a time when I actually am awake and feel human enough to work out.
See, I'm better if I get up and go to the gym before I have a chance to wake up and ask wtf am I doing
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Ugh. I WANT to do morning workouts. I once was at home full time with our youngest. Those were the good days. I had plenty of time. Did a full one hour workout in the mornings & had plenty of energy. Then when I started working, I was able to go in later than now. Had plenty of time to get up and around and tet it done. Now, I have to have kids at the bus stop by 620 and be at work by 7. I get up at 5 and still have zero energy & no time. I am seeing results. 5 days a week. 3 cardio/hiit, 2 strength, and one stretch day. I keep count of calories and I RARELY LOG (that's my laziness, not that I'm cheating). I was just curious as to whether it would be worth my effort to change my routine, to try hard to make the mornings happen. Seems the consensus is that it's up to me and what I will stick with. 0
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whichever time you're going to do them.
I do weight training before work because the gym isn't packed in the 7:45-8:30 am time window (I start nearby at 9) and I rarely have to wait for the squat rack (unlike the overpacked hell that most of the gyms are right after work).
I run/ride after work.1 -
Yep, whichever is convenient for you. I also have kids and work FT so morning work outs make the most sense to me. After work I just feel bad because that's my only time I get to spend with my kids, plus i have to make dinner and whatnot.1
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I think there is some evidence for small performance differences at different times of day but that is a concern for serious athletes who need any edge they can get. As long as evening workouts don't disrupt your sleep there's nothing wrong with them.1
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Timing of your exercise really has no bearing on weight loss. My exercise timing is largely driven by the season...ie, in the summer I try to ride in the morning to beat the heat. Right now I'm mostly doing some interval work on my indoor trainer because it's dark in the morning and getting dark in the evening when I get home...I try to do them in the morning because it's way easier for me to blow them off when I get home from work.0
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It's purely a matter of personal preference. Some of us are morning people, others not.......
Over the years there have been some studies published suggesting that you burn more fat as fuel exercising fasted in the morning but a) the differences were miniscule and findings inconsistent and b) the fuel surce is irrelevant in the context of weight loss.
Pick a time that fits your schedule and that you'll stick to.1 -
I exercise throughout the day ... whenever I can fit it in.
Walk before and after work as part of my commute.
Walk or run at lunch.
Walk or cycle after work.
Climb flights of stairs at different times of the day.1 -
You can google a lot of information about when is the best time to workout, but the best time to workout is the time that you will actually do it.
Stick with what's working.1
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