am or pm workouts? more on Rustysmom's question

[m4star]

After Rustysmom's post I started thinking about the time others work out. Are most people am or pm people? Why? Does it affect the quality of your workout?

Usually I do my workout first thing in the morning. However, I've been training for a 10K so I've also been running at night. I find that I perform much better in the afternoons. I guess I'm actually awake!

[aggie94]

m4star,

I posted a question on the other thread, but maybe I'll restate it here so that hopefully I can get some suggestions too!

I work out at night (7:30-9:30ish), but not by choice. I end up being awake way too late and have trouble getting up in the morning (my alarm goes off at 5:15 for my commute to work). I've found that working out late at night (plus the fact that I use my asthma medication late at night) gives me an energy boost that I just don't want that late in the day! I would prefer to get up really early and workout in the morning, but my gym isn't open that early and I have concerns about running/cycling outdoors by myself when it's dark. I've been hoping to get suggestions from people as to how else I can workout at the crack of dawn (actually, way before the crack of dawn). On weekends, I work out earlier (either morning or noon-ish) and I find that I have much more energy througout the day -- I don't find myself hitting a wall mid-afternoon.

[kwormann]

Even tho I am a TOTAL am person, I prefer working out after work (4pm) because I like to be outside as much as possible and my neighborhood isnt safe when it is dark!

kim

[emilycat]

I am such a morning person; since my freshman year of college I've woken up in the mornings to run, and I've done so ever since (okay, so that was only 5 years ago http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ). I stated this in the other post as well, but it's absolutely exhilarating for me to run in the dawn before the sun rises, and to experience the transformation from the quiet, comforting solitude of the darkness to the sun's debut of the day. Even if I'm not fully energized when I head out (which is unlikely, because it takes me all of about 3 minutes to shake off the grogginess when I wake up), my runs charge me with energy.

Okay, so that was the long answer...how 'bout I just write an essay and post it later? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Oh, and yes, I do run outside (obviously -- no bird-chirping in any gyms I know of); the neighborhood I run in(across the street from my apartment complex) is really extensive and has a lot of outlets -- it's also very safe, so I've never had any worries. Typically I wake up at 5:30 and run between 7 and 9 miles a day during the week and between 12 and 22 on the weekends (there's no way I'd fit one of those in before 7:30 during the week!)



[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 03-01-2001).]

[MPHenderson]

I'm one of those super early birds. I get up between 4:30 and 4:45 for an hour of nordic-track or running (when the snow is at a manageable level!<grin> ). Like emilycat, I love running before the sun comes up when you can see the stars...and then, by the time I'm done, it's daylight! I also do strength training and pilates at night; that's when the classes are offered and when I have the time. This works well for me!

Melissa

[BosunsWife]

Before I had a child and it was just me and dear hubby, I worked out in the morning before work - left the house about 5:30a.m., worked out, showered and then ate breakfast at work before starting work.

Now I also work out in the morning - about 9:00 a.m. we (kiddo and I) trudge off to the gym with gym bag, water bottle, diaper bag and discman. She goes into the daycare room and I zoom off to the elliptical trainer and bicycle for an hour.

If I had to work out in the evening forget it. My energy drains rapidly after lunch, especially chasing after an almost 2 year old.

[NydiaC]

Aggie94,

I, too have been trying to get up to work out in the morning. In the past I've used work out videos in the house, but I'm kinda into running now. What I've thought about doing is taking one of my dogs with me to run in the mornings (just seeing a dog makes a lot of people nervous). If you're not too keen on doing this in your neighborhood, you could go to someone elses, or a park that has a lot of foot traffic (other runners). You could also team up with a buddy (besides your husband) to go with you if it makes you feel more comfortable.

[phantomcg]

I ususally work out in the evenings even though I would prefer to do so in the morning. This is because I have problems with my feet and they usually hurt too much in the morning to work out. I have quite a few videos that I use as well as a "glider" machine and a "Total Gym" type machine. In fact I just got the new Tae Bo tapes (I think that they are called Tae Bo II).

Cheryl

[kek]

I am a super early person. I am usually on my treadmill by 4:15 am. I too prefer the outside, but just don't like being on the road by myself that time of day, even in my safe neighborhood.I used to take classes at night, which I liked because I could get rid of the stress of the day - but my 2 boys are in day care/school & after care- and I didn't want them to be watched by anyone else in the evenings. The only time left for me was super early.

I can't say whether I get a better workout in the evenings or the mornings. I just feel better working out at any time than not at all!

[Lynn B]

I work out in the mornings... DD (age 15) and I get up at 6:30 and exercise till 7. Then to work and school by 8. It works good for us.

I am not exactly sure I am a "morning person", it IS hard for me to roll outta that warm bed... but I'm not a "night person" either. (To bed by 10, that's my motto!) Hmmm, I think I'm a "LUNCH PERSON"!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

But seriously, I like having it (exercise) done early in the day... then, come what may the rest of the day, at least it's done! PLUS, it boosts your metabolism the whole day that way. And I like the sounds of that! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Lynn

[JHolcomb]

I work out in the evenings after work, which I dislike, but I dislike getting out of bed at 5AM even more. My ideal work out time is mid-late morning, but that only happens on the weekends.

[MPHenderson]

Originally posted by Lynn B:
"But seriously, I like having it (exercise) done early in the day... then, come what may the rest of the day, at least it's done! PLUS, it boosts your metabolism the whole day that way. And I like the sounds of that! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Lynn

This is my thinking, too. Even if I accomplish nothing else all day, at least I've accomplished this! :-)

Melissa