Exercise in the morning or afternoon?

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katiev67blah
katiev67blah Posts: 26
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, just wondering.. Does it matter what time of day you workout? People tell me that working out in the morning is better for you than working out in the afternoon but I just dont really know if thats true. I just want to know what works for you. Oh and should you eat before or after a workout?

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  • jagwab
    jagwab Posts: 93
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    I say workout when you can. Any workout is better than no workout.
    I am not a morning person so it makes no sense for me to try and get up and workout then.
  • now_or_never12
    now_or_never12 Posts: 849 Member
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    I don't think it really matters what time of day you work out... You just have to go with what works best for you and your schedule. Some people love working out in the mornings.. some don't. My schedule doesn't always allow for it so I workout when I can.
  • ashshields12
    ashshields12 Posts: 54 Member
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    Research and the Best Time to Exercise
    While there is specific research being conducted on this topic, unfortunately the answer to the question, "What is the best time for exercise?" varies based upon the specific question you ask, your training goals, and your exercise adherence. Here are some of the latest specific research findings:

    • Late Afternoon is Best for Exercise
    Research shows that the optimal time to exercise is when our body temperature is at its highest, which, for most people is 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (body temperature is at its lowest just before waking).
    • Strength is Greater in the Afternoon
    Dr. Hill reported that strength output is 5% higher at around mid-day; anaerobic performance, such as sprinting, improves by 5% in the late afternoon.
    • Endurance is Greater in the Afternoon
    Aerobic capacity (endurance) is approximately 4percent higher in the afternoon.
    • Injuries Are Less Likely in the Afternoon
    Afternoon exercise is the best if you want to avoid injuries for many reasons. We are most alert; our body temperature is the highest so our muscles are warm and flexible; and our muscle strength is at its greatest. These three factors make it less likely that we will get injured.
    • Morning Exercisers Are More Consistent
    Even though afternoon exercise might be optimal from a physiological standpoint, research also shows that morning exercisers are more likely to stick to it that late-day athletes.
    • Evening Exercise and Sleep
    Most research supports the idea that exercise can improve sleep quality. But does exercising too late in the evening keep you up? Studies have shown improvements in sleep from both morning and afternoon exercise, so it's not yet clear if evening exercise keeps you up. One study even showed that vigorous exercise half an hour before bedtime did not affect sleep.

    (http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/WhenToExercise.htm)
  • Kara_xxx
    Kara_xxx Posts: 635 Member
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    I looked into this years ago cos I couldn't work out why I found it so much harder to run in the mornings than the evenings. Something to do with circadian rhythms and aerobic capacity being more optimal in the afternoon.

    http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/WhenToExercise.htm

    But essentially it just depends what you prefer and when you can fit it in.
  • Kara_xxx
    Kara_xxx Posts: 635 Member
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    :laugh:

    great minds think alike...
  • Goal_Line
    Goal_Line Posts: 474 Member
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    I always eat something small but with a lot of energy before I work out (granola bar, fruit, etc).

    I mix morning and afternoon workouts depending on my scheduling and also to keep my body out of a routine. I find I can be more intense in the afternoon. But when I work out in the morning, I "feels" like my metabolism is kicked up a bit and I tend to be more hungry through the day. - But this is just a feeling - I have no hard evidence of it.

    I think the most important thing ti to just work out whenever, any benefit of timing in minor relative to the overall benefit of just doing it.

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