Have you ever felt that sometimes your workouts are better than others? Does it have to do with what time of day you train?
Achieving results in your workouts is about training your body and mind to perform at its best versus looking for the perfect time of day to workout. You have to create habits and routines that will help you achieve success. Working out at anytime, even when you’re tired is better than not working out at all. However, here are some helpful tips to help you achieve maximum results.
Morning workouts:
Pros:
Working out in the morning before you eat means that you will burn more fat if you’re doing exercises that incorporate easy cardio (aerobic exercises). But you may want to consider eating before you workout if it’s a power endurance or anaerobic exercise day. But eat at least 2 hours before your workout. Eating will help you avoid getting nauseous. In addition, food will provide fuel for your power endurance workouts to ensure that you have enough energy to perform at your peak and ultimately add more muscle.
Remember that once you get your workout done, it’s done. Working out in the morning will help you avoid distractions that will come up later in the day. Simply put, you will have fewer excuses as to why you can’t workout if you just do it in the morning.
Cons:
Working out in the morning is not always ideal. It’s difficult to hit the weights hard if you’re not a morning person. Also, don’t jeopardize sleep just to workout. Your body needs time to heal and to produce human growth hormone (HGH). HGH promotes and increases the synthesis of new protein tissues. HGH helps your muscles recover from your workouts. Getting 7 – 9 hours night will help your muscles repair themselves and help you achieve your training goals.
Afternoon workouts:
Pros:
Generally, in the afternoon most people have more energy to sustain a hard workout. This energy or fuel will come from having eaten a breakfast, which usually has the most carbs you will consume in the day. Use your lunch break for a workout, so that you don’t have an excuse not to workout! A side benefit of working out at lunch also means that you will be more alert and productive at work.
Cons:
Working out hard in the afternoon might mean that it is difficult to stop sweating for the rest of the day. Depending upon your schedule, working out in the afternoon may mean that you will have to rush your workout, thereby, minimizing results that you could achieve if you did not cut your workout short. Also, some gyms will have limited hours or classes during afternoon hours.
Evening/After Work workouts:
Pros:
For those people who have stressful jobs or personal situations, working out prior to going to bed can help relive stress that will help them relax and gain a better night’s sleep. For some people (night owls), energy levels may be higher in the evening than earlier in the day. In addition, if you eat the right foods prior to working out, the food will provide you with the energy/fuel to push yourself and will help repair your muscles. If you do workout in the evening or at night, find a group or an environment that motivates and helps you push yourself.
Cons:
In the evening you will generally have less energy to sustain an intense workout. Working out prior to dinner might make some people eat a bigger dinner. If your workout is too late and you plan to eat after your workout, you may be eating too close to bedtime. Eating too close to bedtime will mean that you will not work off the calories you’ve just consumed, which means that they will turn to fat. Also, some people have a hard time winding down after a workout. This may mean that they will not be able to sleep the 7 – 9 hours required to achieve maximum HGH. Lastly, the later in the day that you workout can mean that you will have more excuses and distractions to avoid working out. Don’t rob yourself of the results of a good workout.
In conclusion, there should be no excuses for not working out. Workout when you can, avoid distractions/excuses and find the time that works for you. If you have the flexibility, experiment and find the time that helps you achieve your maximum results.
