Ideal Time to Train During the Day

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

I've heard differing opinions on what's the best time of the day to exercise. Some say first thing in the morning because you start burning calories and it gives you energy throughout the day. While others say the afternoon (between 2-4pm) because most people's body temperature and energy level is the highest at this time. Therefore, in the afternoon, there is less possibility for injury and exercises can be done at higher intensity.

That said, what is the ideal time during the day to exercise?

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I've always heard first thing in the morning is the best time to train, but I don't know the science of why, thats when we had to train when I was swimming back home.

But we usually had football practices in the evening. I just heard people say if you can you should try to do your exercise in the morning.

[gman 0]

Everyone has their own preference based on what their body likes. I know some people who can train more intensely at 0400. Others can tear it up at 1400, still others like to train at 2000. One of the big reasons for training in the morning is that it is harder to find excuses not to work out. If you wait until the afternoon, you have a bunch of daylight hours to pack things in the way of your workout. Theoretically if you hit the workout first thing in the morning, nothing can get in the way. Plus it does raise your metabolism for the rest of the day.

If you have to choose between working out at a non-ideal time or not working out at all, obviously you are better off working out at any time of the day. Personally I hate working out first thing in the early morning, but that is the only time I can fit it in. Therefore, I am in the gym way before daylight.

[Kevin 5]

The time that best fits your schedule and that you will do most consistently is the best time to train. Everyone is different--so there is no one answer. However, some times are more optimal than others. Afternoons are good. "First thing in the morning" is probably less than ideal. I think you want to eat and have a chance to digest a bit before working out.

[hockechamp14 0]

The time that best fits your schedule and that you will do most consistently is the best time to train. Everyone is different--so there is no one answer. However, some times are more optimal than others. Afternoons are good. "First thing in the morning" is probably less than ideal. I think you want to eat and have a chance to digest a bit before working out.

I was about to make the same post pretty much. Sure it might be perfect to start your training at 4:37 AM, but is that going to help you? It is more important that you're doing it than the time you do it. I remember seeing some chart that I believe Charlie Francis made up saying that someone who wakes at 7 and sleeps at 10 has a CNS peak around 3-4. There was also a time where flexibility was highest etc. But your body can also adapt to when you do your training. Like if you sprint in the morning, at first you're probably not going to be able to train 100% because of your CNS not being ready when you wake up. Although in weeks to months, it'll probably get better and better. Better than if you trained at 4? - I don't know.

The perfect training schedule in the world with the perfect nutrition plan won't do you any good if it doesn't get done, or doesn't get done with any intensity.

[willy0314 0]

First thing in the morning is best for cardio because your blood sugar is low, and your body will have to tap into other sources of energy (calories) faster.

As far as weight lifting goes, Its all PP. However, you should never lift on an empty stomach. So that being said, if you are going to lift in the morning, eat a good breakfast before hand.

[Gongshow11 1]

i actually work out empty stomach sort of. to gain weight i take a protien shake before i go to bed, so when i wake up i go to the gym, then when I'm done i have anohter shake and eat breakfast. Is that a bad approach?

[Lfntn10 0]

I actually train right after classes which is at 3 at my college gym. It benefits me because i'm all energized, and thats when all the hot girls go.

[willy0314 0]

i actually work out empty stomach sort of. to gain weight i take a protien shake before i go to bed, so when i wake up i go to the gym, then when I'm done i have anohter shake and eat breakfast. Is that a bad approach?

you want carbs in your system so your muscles have fuel when you workout (lift weights). I'd eat high protien breakfast, lift, then have a shake with a couple slices of wheat bread or something, then eat again about an hour and a half later.

[Doctor Hook 0]

I like to work out before dinner to burn out the stress of the day and to work up an appetite for destruction.

[GSHL99 0]

There is basically an opinion for every time of day and evening on this one. Really I think the most important factors are when can you train and when you prefer to train.

[Hockeyman9621 0]

I heard it's best to run when you first get up, to loosen up for your workout, then you workout whenever your regular game/practice time is.

I heard it's best to run when you first get up, to loosen up for your workout, then you workout whenever your regular game/practice time is.

[willy0314 0]

There is basically an opinion for every time of day and evening on this one. Really I think the most important factors are when can you train and when you prefer to train.

theres no doubt that just getting to the gym in the first place is the most important part. But the two posts I made above are proven, researched facts. Not trying to be a dick, just saying thats the way it is.

[GSHL99 0]

theres no doubt that just getting to the gym in the first place is the most important part. But the two posts I made above are proven, researched facts. Not trying to be a dick, just saying thats the way it is.

Here's a thing about "scientific facts" relating to exercise, for everyone that researches these facts there are as many different conclusions. Flexibilty training as a good example, the old school thought was that moving while streching was harmful and could lead to injury. Now there are many accepted techniques like HRH all the way through techniques that involved a lot of rapid movement to loosen up the muscles. There are untold numbers of weight lifting programs, training methods, and philosophies. Not to be a dick or anything, but all you've provided is a set of opinions and what you claim is some data to support them. Thing is, other research has lead to differing conclusions and they have their own data to back up their conclusions. Proclaiming to have a definitive correct answer is pretty much proof that you don't know a terrible lot about fitness/atheltic training as a whole. It's fairly dynamic and changes all the time. Just as in the past, things regarded as orthodox today may prove to have been wrong in the future. Let's deal for a moment with your first claim, that you need to run in the morning. That information may well be accurate, however, if a person isn't a morning type and that leads to greater fatigue and shortened cardio work outs then the work out is not performing, regardless of calorie burn.

The truth of the matter is just as people are individuals, they have individual preference and differing training goals that make any claim to definitive answers absurd to say the least. As such the only correct training method is the one that is created for the individual and the individual's training goals.

[willy0314 0]

All i said was that it is best to preform cardio (although I suppose I should have said specificly for weightloss) in the morning when your blood sugar is at its lowest point of the day, so your body wont have to burn through the sugar in your system first, before turning to other sources of energy in your body. Meaning that its the ideal time to be doing it. And in my post after that I agreed with you that just getting to the gym in the first place is the most important part, but that dosen't change the fact that if you want to do cardio to drop some weight, its best to be doing it in the morning.

Now if your not a "morning person" (meaning you aren't motivated enough to get your ass out of bed), then maybe cardio in the afternoon is what you need to do, but you are only cheating your self.

As for my seccond point, what I said is a FACT. If you can show me any type of article anywhere, that says its a benifit to any person to lift weights on an empty stomach, then please prove me wrong.