When to work out?
I have always worked out first thing in the morning. This has benefits and drawbacks. The biggest benefit to me is that it’s predictable. I can always get up early, get it done and not worry about interruptions or changes in my schedule interfering. The biggest drawbacks are that it’s not fun giving up that extra 1 hour of sleep in the wee hours of the morning, and it’s impossible to eat a “pre-workout meal” 1 hour prior to working out. So I’ve had to get used to working out on an empty stomach.
Working out on an empty stomach has mixed reviews. Some say it will lead to poorer performance since your body is running on empty and doesn’t have the energy to push as hard. Others say that you will lose more body fat by working out on an empty stomach. From personal experience, I can say that although it was hard at first, I adjusted to the early morning workouts and now feel like I can work out just as hard on an empty stomach in the morning as I can in the mid-afternoon with a good “pre-workout” lunch. And as for whether or not working out on an empty stomach helped me lose more body fat, I can’t know for sure, but I definitely had great results and lost a lot of body fat!
Another thing I really like about working out early in the morning is that my metabolism stays revved up all morning. I’ve done some experimenting with my heart rate monitor, and when I do an Insanity workout in the morning, not only do I burn over 1,000 calories on the workout itself, I continue to burn calories at a high rate the rest of the morning even though I’m at work doing nothing! I typically will burn well over another 1,000 calories before lunch just because I’m revved up from the morning workout! What a great bonus!
Finally, I just like to know that as I sit down to breakfast, I’ve already taken care of my workout and don’t have to spend the rest of my day thinking about where and when I’m going to get it done. It’s already done … I’ve already conquered it! And now I can focus on conquering the rest of my day!
I think the biggest factor in when to work out is what will be the most predictable, consistent time for you to get your workout in? If you always have the same time open every afternoon to do it, or every evening to do it, that’s fine. And if you have a job that has you working different shifts, look at your schedule and block out the times you will work out each day depending on your schedule for that day. Just be sure that you DO IT EVERY DAY and don’t miss! Letting things “come up” that bump your workout off the schedule will kill your momentum, and ultimately lead to discouragement and failure with your fitness goals. Pick a time, block it out, don’t let anything interfere, and get it done!
One more statistic for you = studies have shown that people who work out first thing in the morning are MORE LIKELY to still be working out 1 year later! I believe it’s because they’ve made it a priority and there is less chance of schedule interferences. Make your workouts a priority, whatever time of day you do them!
Related Posts:
61 Responses to “When to work out?”
Leave a Reply
NEW – my X2 Results Video!
Wayne’s P90X Results Video
Most Popular Products
well thanks a lot coach and that could be whit in 2 days apart right?. God bless you and family much love from mind over here in puerto rico keep goin BIG
Yes Nato! Thanks! And God bless you too!
hey coach i did not workout today i change from only insanity to a 3 out of 7 days whit p90x too any tips?? and also is there any right time to take multivitamins??
Hey Nato, just take your multi as directed (probably once a day). So you are doing a hybrid now with 3 Insanity days and 3 P90X days? That sounds great!
Hey coach yes but i wanted to know i stared feeling better when i do the insanity first and then do p90x workout but in these few days i stared being leasy and i do not like that i want to be consistence in the workout can you help me
Hey Nato, it sounds like your problem is motivation. I write about motivation all the time, so start reading those posts and get a plan! Start with “Do it Anyways” and decide if you are ready to make a commitment or if you are satisfied “being leasy” as you put it! You won’t get in shape “being leasy”, guaranteed!
Hey Wayne im currently switching to you as my coach atm just waiting for the reply, but i got a quick question. I have misplaced my shoulders and arms DVD i have just started my second week and so far i have just been doing a few of the exercises from the book, im unable to do every exercise because its hard to figure out what they mean. Do believe i can continue the way im going or do you recommend buying another disk?
Hey Kane, they don’t sell the discs separately, but if you bought your P90X set from Beachbody, call the 1-800 number and they can probably help you out. They have great customer service. In the meantime, look for it because it’s not the same just trying to follow a workout sheet vs. using the DVD!
Hey Coach,
just reading up on your workout time article and you mentioned using a heart rate monitor. I was thinking about getting one and was interested in your thoughts. Is yours the kind you wear around your chest or wrist and if you could mention what brand, model, price etc.
as always I appreciate your time!
Thanks again
Sherief
Hey Sherief, I use a HRM with a chest strap (more reliable and effective). There is a good bowflex HRM under the “gear” tab on my site for $59, but the one I use is an Ironman Road Trainer that was about $100.
Thanks Coach I appreciate your help!