AM workout or PM?

[BrigandTwoFour]

Throw me in with the personnel preference crowd. I like to get my workouts done earlier (preferably a couples hours after breakfast, though). But my schedule rarely allows it. I'm usually able to get a workout in around 3:00 PM, and it seems to work just fine for me.

I really dislike working out in the evening (after 7 or so) since it tends to make me wired before hitting bed.

[JHC]

i tend to think AM workout before breakfast is probably when it's the most beneficial, based on the idea that your body is at it's weakest right after wakeup and before chow... adding this element of suck to it seems to make the body respond quicker. my guess is that since you haven't eaten in 10-12 hours, the body needs to metabolize fat to energize the workout.

I believe there is science to back this up but it's been years since I read it somewhere. I have found this to be true in practice.

[Don Robison]

A lot of the "experts" say AM, but I do much better with a PM workout. My workout time used to be 1800-1900 over the last 8-10 years I've gradually moved it up to 1430-1530.
Who knows, by the time I die of old age I may have it changed to the AM.

[bkb0000]

I believe there is science to back this up but it's been years since I read it somewhere. I have found this to be true in practice.

makes sense to me. in fact, i remember, from my HPE295 "Health and Fitness for Life" class (most important class i ever took in 4 years of college, BTW), that evening workouts dont generally burn much fat because of all the carbohydrates already circulating in the system from eating all day, ready for immediate expenditure. you'll still build muscle in the evening, but you're not gonna burn nearly as much fat. this is why my instructor recommended evening workouts for HIT/bulking up.

so if you want to bulk up- work out at night. if you want to tone up- work out in the morning.

[Magsz]

Will,

Any additional info in regards to that 10:15 time window?

Physiologically what differs?

[WillBrink]

Will,

Any additional info in regards to that 10:15 time window?

Physiologically what differs?

Been a while since I looked at that info, but I recall T is peaked in most men around that time and cortisol is low, and a few other variables I recall, but that's minus looking into it. I'm sitting in an airport coming back from the Arnold Classic, which was fun as usual this year. Excessive libations were had, so I'm fuzzy at best at the moment. Although there's data to suggest there might be "optimal" times to workout, I honestly think there's probably no 'net effect of doing it as far as what you would actually see over say a years time.

[JonnyVain]

My view on the issue is this:

If you're trying to lose weight, and AM workout is good. You're burning calories on a fast, so you will be using fat for energy.

If you're trying to build muscle, AM workouts are bad because you'll be burning muscle to fuel your workout.

Now there are things you can do to mitigate these issues, such as a low carb diet for those losing weight, and casein before bed with a small breakfast for those gaining muscle.

I never had energy to workout in the morning. I have a very high metabolism, so I get dizzy if I workout in the morning. That said, I plan on starting a small running routine in the mornings. We'll see if my metabolism slowed down enough to handle it. A little cardio in the AM will help people who have trouble falling asleep at the desk at work.


Will brings up a good point about T. Your T is highest in the mornings, so if you can get calories and your blood sugar can handle it, it's a good time to work out. Takes a lot of discipline and scheduling though. Looked for the chart but can't find it. I believe peak is around 7am.

[strambo]

I've read studies in line w/ what Jonnyvain is saying. Am workouts best for cardio. It isn't really a big deal except there is one safety consideration. You DO NOT want to do heavy lifting soon after waking up. Esp. anything back. Your spine is very relaxed and loose after being horizontal all night.

I don't remember all the technical details why from the MD/back specialist, fitness guru who I read that from, but it makes perfect sense to me.

So, I feel free to do anything am up to/including high intensity weight circuit training, just nothing involving real heavy loads or high volume weights.

[Derek_Connor]

That goes against physiology. If your back is relaxed/loose, thats the state it will perform better.

Your back is like any other joint in your body (knees, shoulder, etc). Its all cushioned by water and jelly like material.

While I am no MD, I'll chalk that doc's opinion right up there with it being a sample of N=1.

[VooDoo6Actual]

There are some that feel training in the morning is best due to some people believing their testosterone levels are higher after they have had a night's rest.

I prefer mornings and so did my professional training partners, Dennis Tinerino, Bertil Fox etc.


again YMMV....