When is the Best Time to Exercise?
Monday, May 4, 2009
The age old question that never goes away: When is the best time to work out OR when is the best time to do my cardio? Many are convinced that they have to follow all the studies out there that tell them when to get the most effective workout. Well, here is the real answer.... The best time to work out or the best time to do cardio is the time YOU WILL DO IT & the best session is the one that you just finished!!!!
Listen, there are plenty of studies out there that will tell you it is better to work out in the morning because it starts the day off right & puts you on the right healthy track right from hour one, your mood improves, there is no conflicting appointments in the way & it increases your metabolic rate all day. Studies also say that for your cardio session, your body is primed to burn fat better in the morning.
On the other hand, I have heard the exact opposite about fat burning for your cardio session in the evening. There always seems to be disagreement among experts on things like this. One thing is true though.. It is more likely that work or other events get in the way of a later in the day workout OR you just decide you are too tired. Another thing about later workouts is if they are to close to bed time, they can interfere with sleep.
So, what is a person to do. Must long term studies do show that morning workout people tend to stick to their routine better & maintain weight loss better than late in the day exercisers. So, if you want to try this, feel free to do so & maybe start out by adjusting your body to the earlier time but spending a week or two setting the alarm gradually earlier to allow the body time to adjust. BUT, if you are just not a morning person & you get all your energy later in the day, than the best time will be that time for you. Some may feel that a lunch or early afternoon workout is best for them or their schedule.
It really all comes down to what is best for you, what time you will do it AND what time you will do it and not make excuses not to do it!!!!
Me, I am a very early morn person. No matter how I try, my stomach likes to be empty when I work out or I feel sick. Even as hard as I work out for those that read my post on my workout, I still need a fairly empty stomach. I know this goes against all the rules but this is me & I do what feels right for me. Also, I am most energized in the morning. My mind & bod seem to fade as the day goes on. I remember the olden days (HA!) when there were no 24 hour gyms & the gyms did not open early enough for me to get there before work. My after work workouts were much less effective then when I started to work out early. My mind was just so frazzled after work & all I wanted to do was get home. In the morning, I feel stronger, more mentally in tune with my workouts and body & just plain ready to roll. I may be tired once the alarm rings but once I get up & going, I always feel better & everything falls into place!
The conclusion to this post & the answer again to when you should work out... Work out when you will do it!
The age old question that never goes away: When is the best time to work out OR when is the best time to do my cardio? Many are convinced that they have to follow all the studies out there that tell them when to get the most effective workout. Well, here is the real answer.... The best time to work out or the best time to do cardio is the time YOU WILL DO IT & the best session is the one that you just finished!!!!Listen, there are plenty of studies out there that will tell you it is better to work out in the morning because it starts the day off right & puts you on the right healthy track right from hour one, your mood improves, there is no conflicting appointments in the way & it increases your metabolic rate all day. Studies also say that for your cardio session, your body is primed to burn fat better in the morning.
On the other hand, I have heard the exact opposite about fat burning for your cardio session in the evening. There always seems to be disagreement among experts on things like this. One thing is true though.. It is more likely that work or other events get in the way of a later in the day workout OR you just decide you are too tired. Another thing about later workouts is if they are to close to bed time, they can interfere with sleep.
So, what is a person to do. Must long term studies do show that morning workout people tend to stick to their routine better & maintain weight loss better than late in the day exercisers. So, if you want to try this, feel free to do so & maybe start out by adjusting your body to the earlier time but spending a week or two setting the alarm gradually earlier to allow the body time to adjust. BUT, if you are just not a morning person & you get all your energy later in the day, than the best time will be that time for you. Some may feel that a lunch or early afternoon workout is best for them or their schedule.
It really all comes down to what is best for you, what time you will do it AND what time you will do it and not make excuses not to do it!!!!
Me, I am a very early morn person. No matter how I try, my stomach likes to be empty when I work out or I feel sick. Even as hard as I work out for those that read my post on my workout, I still need a fairly empty stomach. I know this goes against all the rules but this is me & I do what feels right for me. Also, I am most energized in the morning. My mind & bod seem to fade as the day goes on. I remember the olden days (HA!) when there were no 24 hour gyms & the gyms did not open early enough for me to get there before work. My after work workouts were much less effective then when I started to work out early. My mind was just so frazzled after work & all I wanted to do was get home. In the morning, I feel stronger, more mentally in tune with my workouts and body & just plain ready to roll. I may be tired once the alarm rings but once I get up & going, I always feel better & everything falls into place!
The conclusion to this post & the answer again to when you should work out... Work out when you will do it!
I couldn't agree more Jody! I often have clients asking me about this and I say the same thing "do your workout whenever you know you'll do it!" Whether it's 6am, 8pm or 2 in the morning as long as it gets in there!
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I workout around the 6am mark. If I miss, then I'm forced to squeeze in quickie exercises throughout the day between cooking, laundry, changing baby's diaper, etc, etc. Geesh.
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You got it! Do what works for you...otherwise, you won't keep doing it! Thanks Jody!
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I'm totally with you about ignoring what studies say on this--it really is about what works for YOU to keep you motivated.
I'm a morning exerciser, though I love an evening walk. But any exercise later in the day is purely for fun and nothing intense. Just can't even THINK about making myself huff and puff except in the morning.
Funny about the empty stomach--I can't exercise with solid food in my stomach, but do best after a liquid breakfast (a large cafe au lait and orange juice). Then I follow up with a second breakfast or an early lunch. But it sounds like you do great on nothing at all!
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Thx ladies. Glad to hear we are in agreement on this. I do not like when people try to force someone into something that is genuinely not going to work for them. I have told people if they want to try morn, go for it but once it is obvious that they are not morn people & they have given adequate time to see if they can adjust, I say go back to what is good for you. You don't want to dread your exercise time because you don't feel in tune at that time of day.
Josie, and I thought my workout was hard! I am tired reading about your day!
Ms. Crabby, well, my morn workout might be considered middle of the night for some.. and you already thought I was crazy enough reading what I do during a workout! So, I may still have some leftover food there when I start out.. HA!
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I like the idea of working out in the morning because I like the idea of any other exercise that happens later in the day being "for fun." Now, I need to get from idea to action.
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I am so not a morning person. I have always done my best work outs in the afternoon, been that way for years. And I am with you about the whole not eating before the gym. Every time I try to because "everyone" says I should, I end up leaving my workout due to a crazy stomach ache! Thanks
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I do my best at night, but like you say anytime is a good one as long as you do it
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