Best time to Hit the Gym?

[gregz123]

I have wondered for a while, is there truly a best time to workout? I have always heard differing opinions, some feel there is no best time, some feel there are windows of time that are the best (I can't find the article but it had two periods of the days where the body naturally peaks?), others feel its a matter of hydration/having enough fuel. This may be a re-post but I was just curious..when do you guys feel its best head to the gym??

[G-Roy]

I cant train early in the morning, my body feels tense and brittle and I'm weaker. Mid morning/early afternoon seems best. On Saturday and Sundays when I wake up around 9 or 10, have a good breakfast then go to the gym, I feel the best.

[UriahMcGee]

your overthinking it....just go when it hits you or if you have a set schedule everyday pick a time thats best for you...when your not too tired when you can train 100%

[gregz123]

your overthinking it....just go when it hits you or if you have a set schedule everyday pick a time thats best for you...when your not too tired when you can train 100%

That's kinda how I've been doing it, I was just wondering if there is any truth to optimal training time "windows", etc..

[Swede]

your overthinking it....just go when it hits you or if you have a set schedule everyday pick a time thats best for you...when your not too tired when you can train 100%

exactly, threads like this pisses me of,
just fucking TRY DIFFERENT TIMES AND FIGURE OUT WHAT FEELS BEST FOR ............................YOU!

[powergraham]

That's kinda how I've been doing it, I was just wondering if there is any truth to optimal training time "windows", etc..

When refering to a training window, it's probably in reference to your natural body clock, which follows what is known as a circadian rhythm, which is roughly 24 hours long.

Essentially, your body and mind peaks and troughs throughout the day, to let you know when to wake up, when to be active, and when to sleep. Most people, with an average sleeping pattern (up at 7/8am, sleep 9/10pm) Naturally peak at around 11-1pm in the afternoon, and naturally trough at 8-10pm. This is why a lot of people have trouble going to sleep if you miss that window.

In reference to training, the optimum time is to go when your at your peak, because your the most awake, your body is it's strongest, and your mentally alert. In reality, there are a lot of factors that can affect that. A test was taken out where a control group were put into a pitch dark room, and the test group were put in, and a light simulating sunlight was put on the back of their knees. The control group felt tired, because of the dark conditions, but the other group, didn't feel the same, even though they couldn't see the light, the body could still recept it through the skin.

Basically, what I would say is, try to focus your rhythm on that time when you are going to train, and, make sure your well fed and watered before that time, and that is when you are gona be at your optimum, body wise, but there's nothing to say something is gona put you in a bad mood, and you won't feel like training. That's why it's a bit of a black art.

[KeepGoing]

your overthinking it....just go when it hits you or if you have a set schedule everyday pick a time thats best for you...when your not too tired when you can train 100%

I agree, just do it when it fits you. I have worked out first thing in the morning, weights or cardio, no problem. But I usually perform better if I had at least 2 meals in before a workout.

I know Cutler even did cardio in the middle of the night while preparing for some shows. Whatever floats your boat..

[BigKevinD]

go when the least amount of extra Smedium Tap Out and Under Armor wearing douchebags are there......in the morning.

[cook]

I train at 5:30am.I`m the first one through the door most days.Now the real advantage to this is I train in a 16000sq,ft gym and there are only 5 or 6 people there at that time.I will admit this takes some getting used to but I`ve been doing this for twenty years now and wouldn`t want to change times now.

[gregz123]

When refering to a training window, it's probably in reference to your natural body clock, which follows what is known as a circadian rhythm, which is roughly 24 hours long.

Essentially, your body and mind peaks and troughs throughout the day, to let you know when to wake up, when to be active, and when to sleep. Most people, with an average sleeping pattern (up at 7/8am, sleep 9/10pm) Naturally peak at around 11-1pm in the afternoon, and naturally trough at 8-10pm. This is why a lot of people have trouble going to sleep if you miss that window.

In reference to training, the optimum time is to go when your at your peak, because your the most awake, your body is it's strongest, and your mentally alert. In reality, there are a lot of factors that can affect that. A test was taken out where a control group were put into a pitch dark room, and the test group were put in, and a light simulating sunlight was put on the back of their knees. The control group felt tired, because of the dark conditions, but the other group, didn't feel the same, even though they couldn't see the light, the body could still recept it through the skin.

Basically, what I would say is, try to focus your rhythm on that time when you are going to train, and, make sure your well fed and watered before that time, and that is when you are gonna be at your optimum, body wise, but there's nothing to say something is gonna put you in a bad mood, and you won't feel like training. That's why it's a bit of a black art.

That's essentially what I was referring to (circadian rhythm). And the whole point of this thread was to:
1. Question what parts of this rhythm are optimal to work out at, as there are many factors that can alter it (because OBVIOUSLY you have to find what works for you) however, what is working for you at the moment may not always be OPTIMAL, and I think everyone should always be looking to try to improve, no?
2. To Simply see when everyone hits the weights, and maybe making arguments for why they do so at that time, that's all..

P.S. COOK-How the hell do you workout at 5:30! that's crazy!!lol

[Nuckin Futs]

Best time to go is ANY TIME you can get there and avoid the over crowding

[GYM RAT]

When the hot chicks are there....oh wait to train well when its not busy.

[Darkhrse99]

When the hot chicks are there..

I use this method..

[data]

Bill Pearl once said before he can take care of anything else he has to take care of himself first. If I recall correctly he works out at 4 or 5 in the morning!

When I went to university I use to have to get up at 4am to find a decent parking spot so I use to hit the gym first thing in the morning before class. Initially it was pretty hard but eventually I just got use to it. I find that, after school or work, I've already devoted so many "units" of energy to my job that I don't have the energy to train with 100% intensity.

Today I get up at 5am, have a decent breakfast, and hit the gym by 630am. I have a great workout and I can eat my carbohydrates early in the mornings without having to worry about eating carbs in the evenings.

Plus the squat rack and db'lls are always free at 630am ... the old folks tie up the machines and the cardio queens are on the treadmills so I have the gym to myself.

It took a couple or three months to get into a groove. It was pretty hard to squat 495lbs in the mornings but now I wouldn't have it any other way. And when I workout in the evenings I'm not as strong because I've already given myself to my job or other responsibilities.

[Voland]

When ever its dead.
For me its 14:30h-16:00h or +22h.