Gator Country

**ennis07** · 08-09-2011, 12:48 PM

I was wondering if there is a better time of day to workout, morning before work or nightime before dinner etc. I've heard that working out before a meal is better for you.

Do those of you that workout before work find yourselves really tired mid-afternoon?

I'm trying to make a steady routine and feel like I'll stick to it more if I have a constant time frame.

Dreamliner · 08-09-2011, 12:55 PM

Offhand I'd say that it's a highly individual matter. I've found that I have more energy working out late afternoon. Others swear by morning workouts. A more important factor may be the time of day that you will most readily adhere to. Also, I've experimented with both fasting and fed workouts and prefer fasted. Others say they're listless if they don't eat something prior.

Please refer to my 'Everything Works' thread.

rburnett · 08-09-2011, 01:01 PM

I have to lean towards morning... makes you feel GREAT the rest of the day, even if its 15-20 mins of basic cardio.

trufloridagator · 08-09-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe

Depending on your reason for training, it might behoove you to slap it around a little [in the morning], especially if job requirements dictate that you are not always able to control the time when you have to use the aforementioned sleepy CNS (Central Nervous System). Combat personnel, firefighters, LEO, etc., often do not have the luxury of choosing when to exert, and are best prepared for this contingency by doing an occasional workout very early.

There's at least some research out there that says something like 3 & 10 hours after we wake are the best times for power lifting, but the variance would have to be absurd I'm guessing.

I understand the early morning feel good of cardio

og8trz · 08-09-2011, 01:57 PM

For me work petty much dictates early evening, but finding a time you will consistently work out is more important. You can find an expert who will argue on either side of any argument you want to make.

your_perfect_enemy · 08-09-2011, 02:01 PM

I'd throw my vote toward Dream's suggestion of it being highly individual. I can't get out of bed a minute before I have to during the week, even when I want to. So I just don't even try the morning workout. The few times I have been able to though I feel great, like rburnett said, but it's just too hard for me to plan that as my work out time.

Personally I have to workout pretty much workout first thing when I have free time for the day or I just won't. So during the week I workout within 15 minutes of getting home and within half an hour when I wake up on the weekends.

As to the meals, I dont like eating a meal within at least 2 hours before I workout, just makes me feel full/lethargic.

LoyalGatorFan · 08-09-2011, 02:48 PM

Yeah the time thing is probably individual...for me I prefer the morning or first thing when I wake up for the sake of getting it out of the way....Im one of those that if I don't do something right then I may not get back to it for a while....the longer the day goes before I workout the more excuses/reasons I can drum up to not work out...so I do it in the morning to get it out of the way...as far as eating/not eating full meals are not good for you beforehand just for the fact your digestive system is going to be a lot more active since when you work out blood flow throughout the body is increased...thus increasing the activity of the digestive system....not exactly the "pop a squat" you're looking for I would think....if you're gonna eat just stick with a banana, crackers, granola bar, power bar, etc....

LeafUF · 08-09-2011, 02:57 PM

I think if consistency is what you are looking for the time you choose should be the one that is easiest to stick to.

My favorite time to work out is midday when most people are taking lunch breaks. I can do that easily since I work from home most weeks. When I did have to go to the office I used to go after work in the evenings anywhere from 6-8 pm. I never could get into morning workouts. I never got used to getting up earlier and hated the feeling that I was rushing because I needed to be at work.

**ennis07** · 08-09-2011, 03:40 PM

Perfect. you're like me, I can't get up in the morning at all. I like the 15 minutes after work suggestion.

**ennis07** · 08-09-2011, 03:42 PM

[quote=LeafUF;5120229]I think if consistency is what you are looking for the time you choose should be the one that is easiest to stick to.

My favorite time to work out is midday when most people are taking lunch breaks. I can do that easily since I work from home most weeks. QUOTE]

I envy you, mid-afternoon is when I have most energy but my work schedule does not allow me to run to the gym.

gator7_5 · 08-09-2011, 03:58 PM

Morning! I feel refreshed and energized all day. But I'm a morning person. I even usaully get up before 6 on weekends.

LeafUF · 08-09-2011, 04:11 PM

[quote=ennis07;5120344]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeafUF

I think if consistency is what you are looking for the time you choose should be the one that is easiest to stick to.

My favorite time to work out is midday when most people are taking lunch breaks. I can do that easily since I work from home most weeks. QUOTE]

I envy you, mid-afternoon is when I have most energy but my work schedule does not allow me to run to the gym.

I wish everyone could work from home, honestly, I am so much more productive. No way could I step away if I didnt. I even tried to start a movement at one time. Work From Home Wednesdays. I thought if people could just work from home one day a week eventually the tide would turn and people would realize how great it is. Though I guess that wouldnt work for people that actually have to be in front of a person to do their job.

gatorsfan530 · 08-09-2011, 04:14 PM

I typically work out middays, I've been pretty consistent so far with that this summer. Usually one of my summer jobs had me work in the evening, so at least midday workouts gave me enough time to qet a bit of rest as well. When I start classes back up in the Fall, that'll be different but for the most part I stick to the middle of day.

BossaGator · 08-09-2011, 04:24 PM

I like straight conditioning/cardio-type work in the morning, and lifting and/or metcon work involving any significant amount of weight in the evening after work. I love mid-afternoon workouts but work most days & can't do that regularly.

Dreamliner · 08-09-2011, 05:49 PM

Something else to consider: if your primary purpose in working out is weight-loss/weight-management, bear in mind that in terms of activity, GENERAL activity is where you're likely to get your biggest calorie burn. 'Exercise' and 'workouts' are niche activities, peculiar to the modern West, and which don't generally seem to be netting people in general the body composition goals they're looking for.

Walking and just moving about is something you can and should do anytime and anywhere. General activity is where Americans are falling down relative to most of the rest of the world. We're at once the most-exercised and least active people in the world.

orangeblueorangeblue · 08-10-2011, 08:13 AM

I've heard that - assuming you do a normal 9-5 that has you up in the 6 a.m. - 8 a.m. range - between 11 and 1 is your peak time for weight training at least.

Testosterone still elevated, not tired from having just woken up or having worked a long day.

I used to work out after work, and god was that awful.

Then I tried doing it before work, around 6:30 and that was even worse.

Now I work out at lunch. It's optimal.

chrisleakfan4life · 08-10-2011, 11:52 PM

I'm a night owl and i usually go around 12:30 am, mostly because i like having the gym to myself(I don't like working out around people).

**ennis07** · 08-11-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisleakfan4life

I'm a night owl and i usually go around 12:30 am, mostly because i like having the gym to myself(I don't like working out around people).

So I'm guessing you go to one of those Anytime Fitness places. I looked into those but it does not have any classes, maybe it's my location though.

LeafUF · 08-11-2011, 10:22 AM

The Anytime Fitness places are pretty bare bones as far as I know. Though there seem to be a lot of them in that area.

I prefer places like 24 hour fitness which offer a little bit more and are still open around the clock. Unfortunately, they do not have any in the Tampa area as far as I know.

chrisleakfan4life · 08-11-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeafUF

The Anytime Fitness places are pretty bare bones as far as I know. Though there seem to be a lot of them in that area.

I prefer places like 24 hour fitness which offer a little bit more and are still open around the clock. Unfortunately, they do not have any in the Tampa area as far as I know.

I use this company for my gym membership

http://www.snapfitness.com/

I only pay $29.99 a month(student rate) and they have plenty of stuff from classes to personal trainers. Plenty of Machines and free weights, tread mills with TV's etc.

They actually own two building across the street from each other(bought another gym out) so there is plenty of choices(the other gym also has more free weight stuff).

We also have 24 hour fitness and there's a local company that has a fairly big gym, its a 2 story building with tons of equipment plus a swimming pool, basketball courts etc and there's also 2 health clubs which have everything.

I just chose my gym because its the cheapest, its a brand new gym(opened 2 years ago), it 24 hours, and its less than a mile away.

I have taken my friends who have been at multiple gyms from college ones to the club ones to the bigger chain ones and they liked this one and said it was pretty good.

It's a small building but when it comes to weight lifting and exercise they seem to have everything you could need.

I'll try and get a picture sometime, they have these gyms all over the country.