Does it matter how you feel before you work out ?

[Dreamliner]

Not for me. Typically, I have some of my best workouts when I'm feeling tired/washed-out/lousy. My theory is that my physical state forces me to focus more on my warmup and rep performance.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you work out when you're legitimately ill.

[LeafUF]

Put aside being physically ill which definitely matters. I can tell you that if you are not feeling well, even if it is slight, it can change how well your workout goes.

As for emotional feeling or just plain exhaustion or enthusiasm issues it is weird. Sometimes it can totally throw off a workout and other times like you said you will go in "feeling" terrible and kick butt.

That's why I like to just say fake it til you make it and you never know what will happen.

Also a bad workout is better than no workout at all.

[StrangeGator]

You never know how you're going to feel once you start working out. You obviously have to take it easy in the beginning, but I often experience a complete shift when I get there. Don't rule out having a great workout just because you're not feeling great.

[jdrgator]

I'm with strange and dream. I know some days I am not feeling it but then when I get going, it's a different story. I make it a point focus and push myself and usually stop thinking about how I don't feel so well and wind up having a good work out.

[your_perfect_enemy]

I always feel great after workouts that I didn't want to do. It probably has something to do with there being a greater change in my mood from a workout that I felt like doing, ie a greater reward. The problem becomes too often I just don't workout if I don't feel like it, but I'm getting better at it.

[Dreamliner]

Good insights here guys!

[G8rChuck85]

I actually use working out as a distraction after a bad day. I always feel better about things after a good workout. It kind of puts things in perspective for me, if you have your health the rest is gravy.

[StrangeGator]

I actually use working out as a distraction after a bad day. I always feel better about things after a good workout. It kind of puts things in perspective for me, if you have your health the rest is gravy.

Funny you should mention that. I got laid off from the best job I ever had back in 1993. The first place I went was the company's fitness center. Felt 100% better after that.

[halsgator]

Having been through a lot of being a gym rat. IMO at 75, You can escape from outside problems by working out when you are young. Later in your years, so many things come into play when you are not feeling right. I think after 50 you need to listen more to your body rather than force yourself through your routine. Just a heads up.

[Dreamliner]

Having been through a lot of being a gym rat. IMO at 75, You can escape from outside problems by working out when you are young. Later in your years, so many things come into play when you are not feeling right. I think after 50 you need to listen more to your body rather than force yourself through your routine. Just a heads up.

Sounds like hard-won wisdom. Certainly when I'm feeling a little off I use an even more thorough warmup than usual to ease myself into my workout.

[StrangeGator]

Having been through a lot of being a gym rat. IMO at 75, You can escape from outside problems by working out when you are young. Later in your years, so many things come into play when you are not feeling right. I think after 50 you need to listen more to your body rather than force yourself through your routine. Just a heads up.

I stopped working out in my mid thirties. Didn't do anything until my mid forties, when I started Aikido. On my 52nd birthday, my body told me to get back to gym, and I did, four to five days a week. I am now in the best shape of my life. Hopefully, that will pay off for me in my 70s and 80s.

[Dreamliner]

And while we're on the subject of getting older, don't be afraid to modify range of motion so as to increase efficiency and also to account for your limitations. For example, I've switched from conventional deadlifts to sumo deadlifts as it is safer for my lower back. On pistol squats I use the heel of the free leg to assist a bit, allowing me to go deeper. And I've switched from pullups to neutral-grip pullups to spare my elbows.

Also, if you're using free weights don't be afraid to abandon unreasonable strength goals and do take weight off the bar to optimize form. I promise you won't regret it.

[Goddard]

Hi Dreamliner,
I guess it matters as you have to be physically and mentally ready for workout and if you are stressed or depressed you can't get desired results.

[BossaGator]

It matters to whether I'm able to get my sorry arse into the gym (or onto the rower, or onto a running trail, etc.) but once I'm into the workout I notice little correlation between my performance and how tired I was prior to starting. Of course, if I'm sleep deprived or lack sufficient energy from my diet it may affect performance, but simply feeling "meh" when I start the workout has little meaning in my experience. Of course, I'm in my mid-30s now and would allow that this may change as I grow older.

[Dreamliner]

Hi Dreamliner,
I guess it matters as you have to be physically and mentally ready for workout and if you are stressed or depressed you can't get desired results.

Well, sometimes it is prudent to skip a workout. Sometimes it is prudent to take a layoff. What I have in mind here is not placing too much stock in how you feel before at least giving it a college try. And again, I have found practically zero correlation between the way I feel beforehand and the way the workout goes. I have experienced some of my most productive workouts after feeling tired and washed out beforehand. Yesterday was yet another example.