Optimal training times

[Realtalk]

I recently had a conversation with someone about what we thought was the optimal time in the day to train. I thought this was quite an interesting topic. So I'll start by saying I used to not be able to train in the mornings it had to be at night and as late at night as I could train before the gym would shut. 5 or so years down the track this changed to late afternoons and for the last couple of years iv been training in the mornings getting to the gym no later than 8am. I'm thinking of changing my training time back to late arvo or even night time. So what time do you guys train and do you think it's optimal?

Is it better to train in the morning and eat to recover the rest of the day? or is it better to fuel up for the whole day and hit the gym later in the day/evening?

[maccaz]

I recently had a conversation with someone about what we thought was the optimal time in the day to train. I thought this was quite an interesting topic. So I'll start by saying I used to not be able to train in the mornings it had to be at night and as late at night as I could train before the gym would shut. 5 or so years down the track this changed to late afternoons and for the last couple of years iv been training in the mornings getting to the gym no later than 8am. I'm thinking of changing my training time back to late arvo or even night time. So what time do you guys train and do you think it's optimal?

Is it better to train in the morning and eat to recover the rest of the day? or is it better to fuel up for the whole day and hit the gym later in the day/evening?

 

i hate training in the morning, but no excuse cos strength is the same as long as i eat first

 

squat/deadlift dont feel that great in the morning even with lots of stretching and warmup sets, guess whole day of walking around etc acts as a big warmup 

[ThreeWhiteLights]

For me I try to start any time between 11.30 and 1.30. Before that I haven't got enough meals in. The later in the day it gets, the more likely I am to not want to train so evenings don't really cut it.

 

1. Midday

2. Evening

3. Morning

[Bruce Al]

I like to train when its dark. My favourite time is about 1 or 2 hours after the sun has gone down. So in summer usually about 9 or 10pm and in winter about 7pm This is when i feel my strongest, i seem to be nice and flexable and dont really need to warm up much.
Occasionally i do a 5am workout if im feeling awake. I wish i could do this everyday as i have the gym to myself and boy do i hate people.

[Dingle]

No Idea where I read it now but I do remember reading something that went on about sleep patterns being a huge factor to as what time you should train or what time you are at your strongest most optimal etc etc. Basically was saying if you are an early riser  morning was best but if you were up late at night and a late riser just after lunch-mid afternoon was best. But I personally think its all personal preference.

[HarryB]

Your body adapts to whatever time you consistently decide to train.

[tyreguy]

Ive only ever trained in the mornings, only a handful of times in the evening.

 

Its just convenient in the mornings, cos later got kids/missus duties.

 

I must say last time I trained in afternoon I felt stronger Back Squatting. In the mornings its a bit of a mish cos legs are weak.

 

So I wake up at 4.00am have breakfast, I hour to digest then train at 5:30am for bout an hour.

[FUBU]

I heard the most optimal time to go is when you start feeling horny. True story, but I can't remember where I read it.

[cruxis]

I cant train legs first thing in the morning. Cuase my back feels less supple. It dont feel right in my back squatting untill I have been up and about for a few hours. I was told its a age thing being 40+ the discs in the back refill overnight, but empty over the day.

 

40+ guys do you feel better lifting morning or evenings?

[HarryB]

I cant train legs first thing in the morning. Cuase my back feels less supple. It dont feel right in my back squatting untill I have been up and about for a few hours. I was told its a age thing being 40+ the discs in the back refill overnight, but empty over the day.

40+ guys do you feel better lifting morning or evenings?

Morning.

[Riccardo]

Think it's purely a preference thing, I train in the evening around 6pm as that's what's most convenient. If I train early I tend to be a bit weaker, subjectively I'm more flexible/warmed/fuelled up etc in the evening.

[Hu Gh]

I found afternoons the best when i was at uni and could train whenever i liked. Mostly trained evenings though as would train with mates or had work during day etc. Now I have to train night or morning and both are shit. Half asleep still or fucked from working outside in heat 10hrs.

[Skeletor]

I train when there are most females wearing yoga pants in the gym therefore increasing testosterone and drive to excel in my lifts .  But yes for me I agree with Riccardo.

[Realtalk]

I train when there are most females wearing yoga pants in the gym therefore increasing testosterone and drive to excel in my lifts .  But yes for me I agree with Riccardo.

My gym meat head gym no yoga panties... IN MY GYM - no one lifts, everyone pre workouts.

[HumanPerformance]

The bodies average core temperature peaks between 4 and 7pm (is at its lowest at around 4am) so this has long been recognised as the optimal time for anything requiring the maximum use of gross motor units i.e heavy lifting, explosive movements. Earlier in the day (around 11am) is considered the best time to perform intricate tasks (those that require fine motor skills). This is also the best time to learn a new skill. 

 

But as Harry said, the body can get used to performing optimally at any time of the day if you consistently train at that time. Ive found if your training for a certain event or competition if you train at the exact time of day you will be competing for the weeks and months leading in, you will dramatically increase your odds of performing well on the day.    

[Realtalk]

The bodies average core temperature peaks between 4 and 7pm (is at its lowest at around 4am) so this has long been recognised as the optimal time for anything requiring the maximum use of gross motor units i.e heavy lifting, explosive movements. Earlier in the day (around 11am) is considered the best time to perform intricate tasks (those that require fine motor skills). This is also the best time to learn a new skill. 

 

But as Harry said, the body can get used to performing optimally at any time of the day if you consistently train at that time. Ive found if your training for a certain event or competition if you train at the exact time of day you will be competing for the weeks and months leading in, you will dramatically increase your odds of performing well on the day.

Thanks mate. Interesting.

[Hu Gh]

The bodies average core temperature peaks between 4 and 7pm (is at its lowest at around 4am) so this has long been recognised as the optimal time for anything requiring the maximum use of gross motor units i.e heavy lifting, explosive movements. Earlier in the day (around 11am) is considered the best time to perform intricate tasks (those that require fine motor skills). This is also the best time to learn a new skill. 

 

But as Harry said, the body can get used to performing optimally at any time of the day if you consistently train at that time. Ive found if your training for a certain event or competition if you train at the exact time of day you will be competing for the weeks and months leading in, you will dramatically increase your odds of performing well on the day.    

 

Wouldn't this be largely dependent on an individual's sleep pattern? Not everyone goes to sleep at 10pm and wakes up at 6am or whatever

[Pseudonym]

I went through a (brief) period of early-morning training. Didn't like it at all - all my joints felt creaky and sore. It seems to take me a few hours to warm up. And that was before I got old!

[GyzzBrah]

Wouldn't this be largely dependent on an individual's sleep pattern? Not everyone goes to sleep at 10pm and wakes up at 6am or whatever

 

And what's your sleep pattern like?

 

-

 

Anybody training very early morning for any reason other that time restraints is just a fucking show off wanting everybody to give them attention for how dedicated they are.

[maccaz]

And what's your sleep pattern like?

-

Anybody training very early morning for any reason other that time restraints is just a fucking show off wanting everybody to give them attention for how dedicated they are.

Least they train fgt

And do all prescribed reps and sets

[Hu Gh]

And what's your sleep pattern like?

 

-

 

Anybody training very early morning for any reason other that time restraints is just a fucking show off wanting everybody to give them attention for how dedicated they are.

 

Well br0, mine varies a lot but heres last weeks weeks one for working week copied from my sleep diary

 

Monday night         2330-0550

Tuesday night       1800-2230 + 0300-0550

Wednesday night   None

Thursaday night     0330-0550

Friday night            2100-0550

Saturday night        None

Sunday night          0030-0550

 

I train between hours of 1900-0550 most days due to work outside of those hours. In non-working weeks i train between times 1130-2330 typically.

[Bruce Al]

And what's your sleep pattern like?

 

-

 

Anybody training very early morning for any reason other that time restraints is just a fucking show off wanting everybody to give them attention for how dedicated they are.

actually we dont like to see douchbags like you in the gym having a wank while we are working out. Less people in the gym the beter imo

[GyzzBrah]

I meant the people that train at 4 am etc and post on facebook but ok then guies.

[reddog]

I train late during the week days normally 8-930pm odd, it faaarkin sucks and dont find it optimal due to long days of physical work and few hours wihh the kids im pretty much ready to sleep by then, how ever its the time iv got open so i just make it work and normally go well.  

 

Sundays I always train at 3pm and the difference is crazy, weight always move so much quicker and feel light, would give right nut to have the time to train early avo again

[FUBU]

I meant the people that train at 4 am etc and post on facebook but ok then guies.

I actually agree with you on this, Gyzz. I use to see a lot of my friends posting their early morning workout photos or videos when I was on FB. It sometimes nearly gave me the urge to want to delete them from my friends list.