Morning or evening sessions?

Slattsy

What's better for you?

Joined a gym last week for the first time ever. Just turned 30 but still in reasonable shape but def noticed the weight come on over the last year or so.

I'd prefer go in the mornings rather than after work as it will be late by the time I'd eventually get home.

Is there a science behind saying that evening sessions are better for you and vice versa?

Thanks in advance.

Hanley

Makes no difference. Whichever one you go to more regularly is best.

Slattsy

Hanley wrote: »

Makes no difference. Whichever one you go to more regularly is best.

So basically don't chop and change throughout the week?

BlueIsland

Slattsy wrote: »

So basically don't chop and change throughout the week?

No chop and change all you want. Whichever time motivates you more to train hard go for it. in grand scheme it makes no odds.

Slattsy

Thanks lads.

This might sound a silly question, but I've no appetite in the morning's, how important is it to eat something before training.

BlueIsland

Slattsy wrote: »

Thanks lads.

This might sound a silly question, but I've no appetite in the morning's, how important is it to eat something before training.

For energy to push yourself IMO id say fairly important. If I were you id get use to having something.

Slattsy

BlueIsland wrote: »

For energy to push yourself IMO id say fairly important. If I were you id get use to having something.

I guessed as much.
A banana and something like a granola bar might suffice.

ridonkulous

Slattsy wrote: »

A banana and something like a granola bar might suffice.

Christ no!

Slattsy

ridonkulous wrote: »

Christ no!

Ha ok then.
What is advisable?
Weetabix, some fruit, porridge etc..

Dfit

Late afternoon/evening has benefits for exercise, the body is naturally warmer helping prevent injury and strength/endurance tend to be better at this time, but it can be harder to get into a busy gym at this hour. People training in the morning find it easier to be consistent, so if that suits better, go with it and just do a good steady warmup before upping the intensity. do eat something small if you're training in the morning, you'll basically have been fasting while asleep and will need something for energy.

ridonkulous

My preference is steak, eggs, nuts. Basically some protein and some good fats.

Dfit

ridonkulous wrote: »

My preference is steak, eggs, nuts. Basically some protein and some good fats.

would do the job perfectly after a training session, but prior to training for someone who finds it hard to eat in the morning, might be a bit heavy.

A banana would give you good energy without being hard to stomach. Even some juice would give you sugars for energy, and you could have a good breakfast then when you finish training.

Slattsy

I couldn't eat steak in the morning lads, I couldn't stomach it. I literally have no appetite.

Fruit juice and a banana I know I could do and probably cereal of some sort.

ridonkulous

Slattsy wrote: »

I couldn't eat steak in the morning lads, I couldn't stomach it. I literally have no appetite.

Fruit juice and a banana I know I could do and probably cereal of some sort.

So you can do sugar, some more sugar and even more sugar but not a real breakfast? I'm not trying to come across as having a go but it's fairly simple. What do you want to achieve and what are you willing to do to achieve it. I would have thought an unwillingness to alter your morning eating is a strong indicator of trying to suit yourself rather than suiting your training. Changing eating habits can take time but I would definitely advise it for the morning.

Slattsy

ridonkulous wrote: »

So you can do sugar, some more sugar and even more sugar but not a real breakfast? I'm not trying to come across as having a go but it's fairly simple. What do you want to achieve and what are you willing to do to achieve it. I would have thought an unwillingness to alter your morning eating is a strong indicator of trying to suit yourself rather than suiting your training. Changing eating habits can take time but I would definitely advise it for the morning.

Is steak a real breakfast?

I couldn't stomach any sort of meat at 6 or 7am. I'd feel physically sick to be honest.

Dfit

I think sugar is better than nothing going into a training session when he's going to use it up, the body is designed to work on sugars, it's excess amounts of them that cause problems. It'd be hard to train in the morning with a stomach full of steak. A protein source within 30-45 minutes (eggs, nuts, chicken, red meat) after training is going to give what's needed for repair and growth so i don't see why a huge breakfast prior to training early in he morning would be necessary.

Slattsy

Dfit wrote: »

I think sugar is better than nothing going into a training session when he's going to use it up, the body is designed to work on sugars, it's excess amounts of them that cause problems. It'd be hard to train in the morning with a stomach full of steak. A protein source within 30-45 minutes (eggs, nuts, chicken, red meat) after training is going to give what's needed for repair and growth so i don't see why a huge breakfast prior to training early in he morning would be necessary.

Thanks for that.
Weetabix has little sugar, so would that and some fruit suffice in your opinion.

Dfit

Yeah, that should work well beforehand and give you enough energy to be able to work effectively in the training session. Weetabix are a good option as far as cereals go, good slow release energy. when you're being active sugar quantity in food isn't such an issue, but during the rest of the day, avoid taking in foods with more than 10g of sugar per hundred, helps keep the weight off. do have some protein asap after training though.

Slattsy

Dfit wrote: »

Yeah, that should work well beforehand and give you enough energy to be able to work effectively in the training session. Weetabix are a good option as far as cereals go, good slow release energy. when you're being active sugar quantity in food isn't such an issue, but during the rest of the day, avoid taking in foods with more than 10g of sugar per hundred, helps keep the weight off. do have some protein asap after training though.

Thanks for that, really appreciate it.

ridonkulous

Slattsy wrote: »

Is steak a real breakfast?

I couldn't stomach any sort of meat at 6 or 7am. I'd feel physically sick to be honest.

It doesn't have to be a steak but protein is a must as are some good fats. What you use to get those is up to you but a banana and cereal won't do it. Neither will a smoothie.

Dfit

No worries, good luck with the training.

Dfit

ridonkulous wrote: »

It doesn't have to be a steak but protein is a must as are some good fats. What you use to get those is up to you but a banana and cereal won't do it. Neither will a smoothie.

I think the issue here though was whether to have no breakfast or a small one, the main concern going into the session is energy for the session. The protein and fats are necessary , but can be consumed immediately after training when it's not hard on the stomach and the body is more awake. i don't think having them pre-training will offer much benefit, an energy source is priority then.

Hanley

I don't see the point eating steak/eggs first thing before training tbh.

Be a good breakfast normally, but not a good breakfast to fuel training.

Dfit

Hanley wrote: »

I don't see the point eating steak/eggs first thing before training tbh.

Be a good breakfast normally, but not a good breakfast to fuel training.

I'd agree, you'd be finished training by the time the steak is digested. simple carbs would better suited to fueling training.

BlueIsland

Try

Porridge with berries.

Couple pieces fruits, then steak/eggs after.

DAINGNE

Makes no difference, I personslly prefer morning workouts as the free weight area, cables & the majority of machines I use are free. Evenings are another story, my gym is clogged with school kids after 6pm ;_;

john_cappa

If you struggle to eat in the AM try oats blended with milk, oil blend and flavored protein. Not as good as a proper breakfast but very nutritious, easy to make and easy to swallow in 10 seconds.

Sangre

Small bowl of decent muesli for pre-workout.

As has been said above, workout whenever you can. I work out in early morning, late evening or afternoon depending on the day of the week. I just try and get the sessions in.

drdeadlift

Some scrambled eggs with white rice pre training then a shake after.
For am training,that suits me

The Guvnor

Hanley wrote: »

Makes no difference. Whichever one you go to more regularly is best.

I know where you are coming from H but it depends what you are doing.

Swimming early am was and is always a breeze because after you fall into a cold pool you wake up very fast and have to start moving.:D

Cardio easy in the am as well.

Weights can be ok in the morning and I've done heavy squats and deads (heavy for me) early am but I would not recommend it.

When doing heavy weights I would always prefer a late morning, early afternoon session and I know this is not possible for those in a 9-5.

It can/could take too long to mentally warm-up at say 6.30am to be doing triples or less on squat, bench or deads.

You could always if the gym has a pool fall into it and then hit the weights...:D

Slattsy

Thanks for everyone's input, it was needed.

Just to state that for morning sessions I plan on doing a variation of:
Spinning
Swimming
Cross trainer
5k run
Some free weights

I won't be doing any serious muscle building training. Purely some free weights to tone up I guess but weight loss is my priority for the foreseeable future.

drdeadlift

Slattsy wrote: »

Thanks for everyone's input, it was needed.

Just to state that for morning sessions I plan on doing a variation of:
Spinning
Swimming
Cross trainer
5k run
Some free weights

I won't be doing any serious muscle building training. Purely some free weights to tone up I guess but weight loss is my priority for the foreseeable future.

Prioritize weight training.

BlueIsland

drdeadlift wrote: »

Prioritize weight training.

+1

questionquick

drdeadlift wrote: »

Prioritize weight training.

Why prioritize weight training?

What do you think about circuit training? Good for weight loss? In a class environment when the instructor is pushing ya on?

I guess the main thing about morning or evening is whatever suits your schedule. Itll be less busy in the morning and the workout will give you a boost for the day.

Now i know we are not golfers, but the man, Tiger Woods is an athlete and has interesting information on his fitness regime and diet on his website. He does most of his working out in the morning, gives him more energy .

Slattsy

drdeadlift wrote: »

Prioritize weight training.

For weight loss purposes?

PauloConn

I like to mix it up between doing bootcamps, spinning and then doing 2-3 mornings of weights (legs day, upper body day and a good heavy session on Saturday).
It's all about the morning training though, easy to get to machines and weights if needed, kickstarts the body, fasted training as well i find is good, almost never crash from training and get a good porride with flax meal and flavoured protein after so keeps everything going.
But i find its good to mix it up as keeps the body guessing (a bit anyway)

drdeadlift

questionquick wrote: »

Why prioritize weight training?

What do you think about circuit training? Good for weight loss? In a class environment when the instructor is pushing ya on?

I guess the main thing about morning or evening is whatever suits your schedule. Itll be less busy in the morning and the workout will give you a boost for the day.

Now i know we are not golfers, but the man, Tiger Woods is an athlete and has interesting information on his fitness regime and diet on his website. He does most of his working out in the morning, gives him more energy .

Most peoples mistake from the beginning is having a false illusion to what weight training does.Once you hear the word "tone" you know the persons understanding of physical exercise is limited.

Never done circuit training.They say its good for weight loss.Don't need a pt to push me but some people benefit from that.

My advice,train your ass off weights-cardio and look after your diet!