When To Train

A lot "hype" has been seen recently in the fitness magazines and trade journals about when the best time to train is. Some feel it's better to train in the morning since your body's reved up and "primed" after a good night's sleep, while others believe that the late afternoon or evening is best, citing that morning workouts can lead to more injuries.

And so far, the "reasons" expressed are, basically, stupid. :o)

The best time to train is when it fits your schedule. If you're a morning person, workout in the morning. If you're busy and can't workout in the morning, or you just prefer the evenings and to "unwind" after a long day? Then workout in the evenings.

People get too "bunched up" with so many things that it's becoming really silly. It's possible that maybe "medically," a specific time of day might be preferable. But will it make that much of a difference? It might if you're a professional athlete, but for you and me? No, probably not. But if you're a professional athlete, then your coaches already have you on a specific training regimine, anyway. Everything you do is meticulously planned out from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed. For the "average" person, though, it's a bit more carefree.

Personally, I prefer the mornings for cardiovascular work and the evenings for resistance training. My days go by better when I've run a few miles or jumped rope or did a Power90 cardio workout. It jump starts my day and gives me a feeling of accomplishment before the day's even started at work.

And after a long day at work, resistance training is a great way to unwind and relieve stress. If you have a desk job, it's paramount to keep your body moving physically, and if you have a physical job like construction, etc., training programs are also important. Even though you spent the day doing a physical job, your brain and body work together to keep things at a minimum in order to get you through the day, whereas a training program elevates that. In short, the more you workout, the easier your physical job will get.

It all depends on your personal preferences and what you enjoy doing. Put those activities at the time of day that best suits your needs and then just do it. Forget the hype and what "elite" athletes are doing, because that's a whole different ballgame. If you like working out in the morning, workout in the morning. If you lean towards the evening, then workout in the evening. The important thing is to do it and keep doing it so that you can reach your goals.