Best Time to Work Out?
July 20, 2010
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Posted by billspaced
I get this question all the time:
What is the best time to work out?
The answer I give every single time is whenever you can!
I know that living today's fast-paced, rat-race lifestyle can put a real bind on your training schedule. What with kids, family and business obligations, etc., sometimes you don't have enough time in the today for yourself.
I am a perfect example. I bang away at the computer all day and night, hoping to bring you the information you need and want in order to improve yourself. I have 2 small kids, a loving wife, bills to pay, lawns to mow, cars to attend to, older parents to take care of.
When do I train?
When I can!
Now, I've made it my goal to work out in some fashion every single day. I get in at least 3 weight workouts a week, 6 sessions of "cardio," and a lot of play time. Fortunately, my kids take care of me on that one!
Many days, I stack my cardio on top of my weight workouts since I only want to hit the gym once a day. And I don't spend a lot of time there! Last night, for example, I pounded by back, chest, shoulders, and lower back in the span of 20 minutes. Then I went home because I had a LOT to get done.
So, getting back to the point – exercise whenever you can!
I will say that there probably are IDEAL TIMES to train. I made my best "hardgainer" gains when I worked out in the morning. My energy levels were highest, I could eat before and after my workouts (even during!), and I could spend the rest of the day in a relatively lax state.
Now, I am finding it a little difficult to work out in the late evenings (the only practical time of day for me right now) and NOT eat like a freaking horse afterwards, right before bed. Eating a lot right before sleep is okay when you're on the skinny side. But it's really not conducive to effective weight control, if you know what I mean.
It's clear that when you workout determines when, what, and how much you eat. Here are two charts – one for men, one for women – that lay out the when, what, and how much you should eat depending on when you work out.
Again, the best time to work out is when you can. Just make sure it happens. A workout today is better than none at all, if even only just for a few minutes. And use the charts as a baseline for determining what, when, and how much to eat, especially in terms of supplementation.
Timing really is everything.
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Categories: bodybuilding, building muscle, Nutrition, supplements
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Tags: Best Time to Work Out, ideal workout time, workout times
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Leave a reply
For sure we can't tell. But i'm looking forward to working out on the afternoon.
According to me early morning is the best time to work out.I think that after a busy day is is really difficult to work out in the evening.I have also read your given chart for a woman and I can say that this will be useful for me.
depends on your temper
I'm having the same issue only having time to work out at the end of the day. Though when you plan for the end of the day it is easier to skip. Should get back to starting my day with a workout, was great for the energy and eating healty
Very good suggestion in your article to "workout whenever you can." That is the most realistic approach, especially for people with hectic schedules.
I agree with you. Proper time management is required. I do physical exercise daily for 30 minutes.
Take time to rest between exercises and activities. If you push yourself too hard you could wind up injuring yourself unnecessarily.
Thanks for tips and advices but I guess that it's not bad if you can make at least 5 to 10 mn light gymnastics exercices on the morning just before breakfast. Tha will help to start a new day in wonderful form.
daily exercise is essential for good health. We must give time for it.
Having an 11 month old baby at home, I also workout when I can. I had to completely revamp my routine and now I focus on high intensity training, supersets, and other time saving measures.
well, i have tried my level best to do workout in mornings but i cant. Evenings i am already tired
Ya you really need to keep yourself active and healthy whenever you can find the time in this day and age.
I feel that the best time to train is when you feel well motivated. Injuries can occur often when fatigued and this can lead to chronic back pains and eventual chiropractic visits. So, when you feel fit and well then is the best time. Once past this stage, i feel if you want to build muscle, do so at late night around 9pm so your muscle grows over night. By contrast, for weight loss, go in the mornings before breakfast so that you burn straight into fat reserves.
Truthfully the best time to workout is different for each person. The best time to workout is when you are most awake. If you wake up at 5:00 in the morning, you probably wont be real awake when 9:00 and 10:00 come around at night. During your workout you want to be active, energetic, and focused. Do you have problems sleeping a little after working out? If yes, it is best to workout in the morning or during the day so that when the night rolls around you are able to get the right amount of sleep for muscle growth.
There is no certain time when people are suggested to workout, but I feel that during the middle of the day is the best time to work out. It is obviously tough for some people to exercise in the middle of the day due to many factors including work, sleep, and nutrition. Lifting should be based on your own personal schedule.
Today physical training is something that is on top. The use of dietary supplements is certainly something that helps a lot in development, but what really counts is the effort and dedication.
Your so right, most people think that they have to spend hours at the gym to see results. The key to getting fit in my opinion is to at least work out every single day. The human body was built to exercise.
I'm doing my work out in the morning and for me that's the best time… It feels good and at the same it is indeed good for our health… Thank you for sharing that informative post… I really appreciated it…
I really like to work out in the morning, primarily because I am not naturally a morning person. I find that after a good morning workout, the rest of the early part of my day goes way better. The mental benefits I get rival the physical ones.
You have a very nice suggestion. It is said that the best to work out is when you feel like it and when you can give it your all. For those of us that are morning people and have the time in the morning, this might be a slight advantage. However working out at other times can be just as affective if you allow yourself the time to drink fluids and eat something after the workout. This is important to helping restore the muscles that were torn and also restore nutrients in the body.
Well written article, very informative – thnx a lot!
good article,I got a lot from here,.
I think that after a busy day is is really difficult to work out in the evening.I have also read your given chart for a woman and I can say that this will be useful for me.
People nowadays are living in a fast-paced, rat-race lifestyle, this kind of living condition of course is harmful to our body, and someone don't exercise just use no time for excuse. Please treasure our body , if it break down, then we can do nothing ,so let's work out!
The best time to work out for me is in the morning because you need to be energize for the rest of the day and a good exercise will help your blood circulate freely. .anyways, I also consider your ideas and the ideas of the people here..I might try some of them..tnx..
I have found that working out after dinner is the best time for me, im not sure why. I have heard that early morning is a good time but i havent tryed it yet, maybe i will put it on my to do list.
Thanks for sugestion. but I guess that it's not bad if you can make at least 6 to 15 mn light gymnastics exercices on the morning just before breakfast. Tha will help to start a new day in wonderful form.
Hi there, thank you for this real interesting article – Good job!
Best regards from Germany, The Sixpack Trainer
I find that doing my cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach works best for me. I train at high intensity for around 20 to 30 minutes, this helps to keep my metabolism elevated for many hours following my workout. Which helps to burn more calories which leads to increased fat loss.
I tend to do my weights, on an evening. I've tried lifting weights earlier in the day, but because of the lack of food and nurition in my system I tend to feel much weaker earlier on in the day.
Excellent article!
I completely agree, I think with fitness and working out that the more you have to push yourself to adopt exercises you hate/don't believe in, or push yourself to work out in the morning when you enjoy it more in the evening, the less you will push yourself in the actual workout itself. I would rather see someone focus all of their energy on their workout, rather than wasting energy on trying to psyche themselves up to work out @ 6 AM if they are not a morning person.
I agree with what you said "work out whenever you can" . Because nowadays people have hectic schedule. I usually work out in the evening after my work. I have no time to work out in the morning coz' my schedule of work is too early. I tried to wake up 5:00 am but my time is not enough coz' a lot of things to do in our house. So the best time for me to work out is in the evening. Anyways good tip!
Well, thumbs up. I am totaly agree with this opinion that best time for workout is-"whenever you can!"
That is true Atlanta, but I don't feel you get a choice if your in a deep training program, because the whole pushing thing gives you motivation to do things you don't like, which in turn is more beneficial. 'Rather than wasting energy' no this is good energy their wasting because working out in the morning, even if less intense, probably is beneficial for your gains.
Due to my busy schedule at work, I can only workout late in the evenings. I have to make time because if I don't, I will never have time. To maximise my time at the gym, I do all rounder exercises that works out all my major muscle groups at the same time.
@ Susan – Right on! You have to make time. Check out my friend Wiggy’s site – he put together an awesome cardio program that builds strength, speed, power, and agility WITHOUT cardio! Working Class Cardio Workout
People need to stop stressing out over the when and just workout. Honestly if you can actually manage to stick to a workout plan and not make excuses for why you're not going to workout today, then you're doing better than most people.
I agree with what you said "work out whenever you can" . Because nowadays people have hectic schedule. I usually work out in the evening after my work. I have no time to work out in the morning coz' my schedule of work is too early.
cardiovascular exercises are something that can be done at any time during the day. Get great glutes by targeting the muscles and connective tissues buried deep in your body.
I agree with you. Proper time management is required. I do physical exercise daily for 30 minutes.
True that patience is a virtue but indeed time is gold. Nowadays we have all busy schedules and we really push ourselves to the limits of non-stop working. We often times try to escape our needs for ourselves but we got caught with the idea that in the bottom line, we are at the very same thing we are trying to escape. Well, for me, as a workaholic person, I've got less time for myself. This post is really helpful. This great thing made me realize the importance of having a sort of relaxation and kinda of exercise. From now on, nothing to worry about. I've got to follow this. Thank you.
Really this is a great piece of information, a lot of people who are having problems with there figure and don't know the proper procedure to lose weight.
These days the number of overweight people is rapidly increasing, and many people who fall into this category would like to do something about it. I was just reading another blog similar to this one. Have anyone read this blog <a href="http://dietplanforabs.com">Diet For Abs</a>
Your article is very useful to read for all the bloggers, keep it up…
It is very helpful to me!I tend to do my weights, on an evening. I've tried lifting weights earlier in the day, but because of the lack of food and nurition in my system I tend to feel much weaker earlier on in the day.
Excellent article!
Every time I work out, I throw down what my workout my dry erase board every day of the week. This will help me so I know when I need to do more weight lifting or cardio. This is a great way for me.
I've about the same issue only having time to work out at the end of the day. Though when you plan for the end of the day it is easier to skip. Should get back to starting my day with a workout, was great for the energy and eating healthy
I go to gym every Sunday morning to maintain my physical fitness. For me, it doesn't matter if you workout in the morning, afternoon, or evening. What's important is that, you have time for yourself to exercise. Just like they're always saying, "working out at any time of the day is better than not working at all".
Im planning to do body building but due to my schedule I usually do it sometimes. I agree It's clear that when you workout determines when, what, and how much you eat
Ya you really need to keep yourself active and healthy whenever you can find the time in this day and age.
Ya you really need to keep yourself active and healthy whenever you can find the time in this day and age.
Thanks for the advice. I always try to work out at the same time every day so that my body will get used to my workout pattern and therefore will let me know when it is hungry!
I go to the gym directly after school on week days and in the afternoon on weekends.
although i start every morning with crunches and push ups.