Time of day for OptimumPerformance

[endorphin_junkie]

If you had your 'druthers' what time of day would you workout and do you typically get to workout at that time?

I love to workout about an hour after I get up. I have a coffee and a banana, make lunches, pour a big glass of water and take it downstairs to sip while I exercise. As soon as the shine starts on my brow I'm a happy camper (I'm sure the caffeine and potassium help;-))My body is ready for optimum performance and I can work really hard. I've seen many a beautiful sunrise while working out and it's a fantastic way to clear my head and prepare for the day ahead. If I can't workout at this time I fit it into the day somewhere and dig into it but I do love the way my body performs in the early morning.

I was just wondering about everybody else. Do you have a time of day for optimum performance and what's different when you workout at other times?

Thanks
Laurie

 

[fab40]

I am fortunate to work part time (primarily evenings) and have my kids in school all day. I used to work out early afternoon, but now I exercise at about 9:30 am. I love it, because my breakfast is somewhat digested and I get it done before I get too involved in my daily errands. I found that I would blow off workouts more often in the afternoon because of that. My highlight of my morning is figuring out what workout I want to do.

I used to workout early morning or later at night when my kids were little. I really hated those early morning workouts, I had practically no energy. I'm glad those days are over! At least I hope they are.

 

[CathydsRNA]

My optimal performance is late afternoon thru early evening. I absolutely do not like working out in the AM although it would be much more convenient. I am not as flexible in the early AM nor can I lift as heavy and my endurance is also lesser compared to what it is later in the day.

 

[BeckyU]

Hi all,

I love to start working out between 8:30 and 9:00 am. That is when my breakfast is digested and I've gotten a nice dose of caffeinne from my chai. Luckily for me, timing wise for my family, it is also one of the best times to squeeze in my workout. My 10 and 7 years old daughters have been dropped off for school and my 17month old son is not crabby enough yet that he won't sit somewhat quietly playing or watching a video!

I've tried the getting up at 5:00 am and working out before everyone is up thing, but my cardio ability is sooo bad at that time...no endurance, although weight training isn't any harder for me at that time. And working out after about 2:00 in the afternoon is also harder for me. Very strange! So it is a very good thing for me that I can work out at my best time on most days!!!!!!!

It's interesting how different everyone's preferences are.

Becky

 

[atgood]

I'm also stronger later in the day so that's my preference, and I sleep better when I've worked out in the evening or at night.But it's harder for me to carve out the time to work out then, partly because I'm usually pretty wiped out from work. So I have to force myself to get up in the morning and do it before work. But no matter when I do it, I always feel soooo much better when I've gotten my workout in.

 

[yadiraj]

To me is whenever I can get it done. I've had to change my scheduled several times. At one time I had to do it at 4:30 a.m. now is at 9:00 p.m. some time if I have time I'll go for a run at my lunch. The only thing I have a problem in the morning is exercises such as yoga or pilates. I'm not as flexible and is more difficult.

 

[Soosan]

Optimum time for me is between 8:30-9:30. My boys have gone to school, and my 3-yr-old daughter will look at books, play, or quietly (I've trained her!) watch me.

 

[shelia]

I'm a little odd I love to lift wts in am around 5:30 but for the life of me can't do cardio in the am it has to be around 3:00.I can't lift as heavy in the pm as the am.I can't get into intense cardio in the am at all I can't figure it out.I just do it the way I've been doing it and it works for me.But before I did bfl I couldn't lift in the am but could do cardio.I guess it is what your body gets use to.anyway it's better for me that I can split them up.

 

[endorphin_junkie]

Thanks to all for your input It is interesting how we perform better at different times of the day. I guess that's another of the myriad benefits of fitness, we are conditioned to tune into our body's in new ways and experience how it thanks us when we listen to it.

Susan, your comment made me smile.
and my 3-yr-old daughter will look at books, play, >or quietly (I've trained her!) watch me.

I remember those days , my 3 kids and 2 I cared for all sitting on the couch happily watching and playing while I 'jumped around'. Lot's of opportunity to check the intensity level with a 'talk test':7 .

Thanks Again!
Enjoy your Sunday
Laurie