ShapeFit.com

DoubleG · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

Does anyone know what is the best time of day to exercise or workout? i know some who exercise in the mornings before work and there are those that workout after work..i'd just like to know which is the best time of day to get the most effective workout? possibly before sleeping? after dinner? before food?
after following advice from the website, i am doing a 90 minute workout but my workout times vary so i am not too sure when i am doing the most effective workouts for my muscles to build.

swanso5 · Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:02 am Post subject:

the best time and when you can do it...straight after rising isn't real good in my book as your spine can be at risk if lifting heavy...in the evening before bed isn't desirable as you'll struggle getting to sleep and you won't be able to take advantage of the anabolic window food wise...whenever you feel most alert i suppose which for me is between 2 - 5pm depending on when i get up...90mins is too long aim for 5 - 10min warm up...30 - 40mins wts and the rest of the hr doing cardio and stop at 60 and go home

DoubleG · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

ic, so there isnt like a most appropriate time? i mean..would before food or after food be better? and if after food, how long after food is consumed?

FireMyst · Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 92 Location: nyc

pre and post workout meals are very important.

pre workout i eat a protein&carb rich meal 1hour before workout, brown rice or grain floor pasta with 3/4 cup fat free cottage cheese and egg whites. i drink plenty of water and eat one fruit on my way to the gym.

right after i finish my workout i drink a bottle of gatorade for muscle glycogen recovery and i drink 2-3 cups of skim milk. one to two hours later i have a protein&complex carb rich meal : chicken/fish + veggies + whole pasta or brown rice.

this really works for me the best. i tried the powdery supplements but didn't like em although convenient i feel like eating and drinking real food more fun and healthy.

DoubleG · Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

thanks loads for the advice

SarahPT · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 603 Location: Western Maine

The best time of day to work out is the time of day when you feel best! Personally, I don't do well with morning workouts. I just don't feel awake enough. In the afternoon I feel my strongest. It's different for everyone.

Pre and post workout meals are very important. Proper fuel makes the machine run. Fuel yourself with good carbs and lean proteins before and after workouts.

Sarah

Boss Man · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:53 pm Post subject:

Depends really. I've heard mid afternoon between roughly 2-4 PM before now, as that's when the body is supposedly most alert, not still waking up, and not winding down either.

Some like to go for first thing in the morning, especially with Cardio, as the burning of Fat stores, will happen on an empty stomach, which is good for Fat loss, but ultimately some say it makes them nauseus, and other people like to have some kind of Carbs, or energy sources like Glucose, Dextrose etc etc, to workout on, to give them more impetus in their workouts.

Some say don't workout until 2 hours after a big meal, but when circumstances demand you have a full time job, and have to start 30 minutes after a big dinner, and get home within 90 minutes, to sort stuff out, then that's all you can do.

There can be no definitive answer I think, it's down to personal circumstances, and what you're willing to do within sensible limits, to develop and maintain good physical health.