Morning vs Evening exercise

Snapper1

Hey all,

Was just wondering which time of day is the best/most beneficial for exercise. I'm in the office 9-5 and currently do cardio in the evenings mostly. But I've decided to try get into a morning routine now. could anybody outline their routine if they jog/cycle in the morning. What time u get up? what to eat? how long to run for? Thanks for any help given

Mr E

For the last few weeks, I got up at 7, and I'm in the gym for 7:30. Start with some ab work (so I can better time out the entire session and not run past 8:50!).

All I have beforehand is a multivitamin and a glass of water (I'm on a fatburning kick at the moment, so need to run on an empty stomach). If doing weights in the morning, a banana a half hour before isn't a bad idea...

As for what to do in cardio, its totally up to you. I've done 20 minute high intensity sessions, sets of 4 10 minute sessions (4 different machines), different disciplines (hills, steadies, minute-minute intervals, 3 minute intervals, 4 minute intervals)... what you do is up to you !! Mix it up every 2 or 3 weeks (keep your body guessing!).

Searlait

For years I was going in the morning, getting to the gym for about 7.00. In the last few months I've found going to the gym in the evenings much easier, I'm much more alert, compared to in the morning when I might be half asleep!

I always thought going in the morning was better because then I had my workout done for the day, but I do find that I'm doing a much better work out in the evenings!

Mind you, my gym is just across the road from my work, so it makes it a whole lot easier - and the dinner after wards thing can be tricky, you just have to think it out in advance!

BossArky

I used to go to the gym in the evenings 9-10pm.

This year I decided to try mornings for a month. Definetly sticking with it from now on.

6am: Get up, porridge, tea, banana/apple
6:25am: Jog to gym (~1km)
6:35 - 7:10am: Weights, jog home.

I can then spent the rest of the day eating to recover... plus by the time I get to work I feel successful and ahead of the game rather than chasing my tail to get to the gym later that day.

liamo

06:00 : Get up
06:30 : 10km cycle to gym which is very close to work
07:15 : 75 mins or so in gym (bike/run/swim/cross-train depending on day)
08:50 : Breakfast in work - home-made muesli.

When it warms up and brightens up a bit I intend running to and from work on Tuesdays (and later, possibly Thursdays as well). Maybe mid-March.

AARRRGH

I think it depends on the person.

I don't like mornings, so I know I would not be able to do a killer workout at 7 AM. Also, I like knowing I can come home from the gym, eat a meal, and then get into bed and doze off while watching a movie...

Vampireskiss

I find its hard to train in the evenings if its too packed like most gyms are at this time of the year if you have a specific program alot of the dumbells are being used when you needs them

golfman

Interesting, I've been thinking the same thing. Someone said to me last week, going to the gym in the mornings is more effective as you are "shocking" your muscles. Then someone else said you don't have as much energy in the morning so it is not as effective. Do either of these points have any credibility?

Just for the record, I can't stand going to the gym after work cos its always so packed and I hate waiting for benches/machines when I'm in the zone! I've started going in the mornings before work. The odd workout I'm lacking energy and yawning a bit but generally I manage it ok. Its great to have it done and dusted 1st thing, I feel great about myself going to work instead of turning up half asleep and it serves as a bit of a conscionse(?) for when I might be tempted to eat some crap. It also makes me get about 3 pints of water into me before I get to work which was something I was terrible at before going to the gym in the mornings. So generally I prefer it, I just hope that it is as effective as working out later in the day....

ManFromAtlantis

its just damn hard to get outta bed earlier to inflict pain on yourself tho.

dioltas

I find I my lifts are alot better when I go in the evening. Don't think I've woken up properly when I go in the morning.

jayoo

I believe morning cardio prefueled is better than evening cardio for fat lost,

however hungry catabolic morning weights sessions just cant compete with muscles that are fully fueled up. so evenings will def provide you with a more energy filled session