I am getting back in to some structured training and for the first time am having to balance that with a real job. Usually M-W-F I lift in the mornings and swim or ride in the evenings. I really enjoy lifting this time of year, however I have struggled to wake up and get myself to the gym in the morning. I have no problem waking up, I just seem to drag through my strength training workouts in the early morning.
For an early morning workout do you have more success lifting or doing cardio work? I like to lift and have been frustrated that my workouts haven’t been all that great as I just can’t seem to focus in the early morning. I wonder if I would be better served getting my ride or swim out of the way in the morning and lifting after work. Any suggestions? Thanks.
I’ve done both. My current routine is s/b/r in the morning and lift in the afternoon. I just don’t feel “ready” to lift in the morning. Could be because I usually don’t eat anything before my morning workout, just coffee. By noontime, I’ve had a couple of meals and I feel much looser (if that makes sense).
To each their own, but I prefer cardio first thing in the morning (usually my run or ride). I can ease in, warm up, and I’m good to go… rather than lifting weights shortly after waking up. Sometimes I pop into the gym after a run, but otherwise strength training is something I typically do after work. Also, I have more control over my morning schedule. I’d be more bummed if I missed my cardio based on a busy day at work. Hope that helps…
The pool has been closed for 8 hours – with filters working for 8 hours, chlorine killing everything for 8 hours, etc. – but the real reason – the pool is just to damn crowded in the afternoons and evenings. Plus - hit the cold water and I am wide awake.
All I have to do to get motivated is go to the pool in the afternoon, screaming kids, lane hogs, getting smacked by the swimmer in the next lane that is IF I get a lane, granny complaining cause I splashed her while flip turning, etc. etc.
I lift in the mornings for similar reasons - to avoid the crowds.
Run and Bike - I like to wait till it is as warm as possible outside. If I have to move indoors – Treadmill is usually open at the gym – and there is more to look at in the afternoon. Afternoon Spin class is much more visual. Indoor trainer - Evening TV is better than morning TV.
I do both as it is usually the only time I get to work out. I always take my dog for a walk around the block to “wake-up”. If interested I’m up at 2am. See some strange things at that hour.
I believe that I read somewhere that your metabolism stays ramped up longer after lifting than doing cardio. You may benefit from doing your lifting in the morning if this is the case.
Because my wife works a swing shift, I watch my daughter from 3:30 till bed around 9pm. I have to be at work at 6am so if I want to get in a workout I’m ususally up at 2. After walking the dog and packing my meals that leaves me from 3-5 to workout (run, bike or gym). I only do that 3-4 days that I work and sleep in (?) till 4 on my days off. On those days I try to get in a cardio and swim but then it’s the only time I have to do house chores too. I try to get a 30-60 min nap during the day to recharge but that’s not always possible.For a lot of people it may seem tiring but I’ve been doing this for almost 6 yrs now since we had our daughter. If I want to have QT with the family and do this sport that I enjoy, I have to make sacrifices in other areas of my life. I’m ok with that
If possible, go to sleep earlier and get up earlier. Just train in the morning. Start with your aerobic workout and then tack weights onto the end when you are nicely warmed up. Then you will have the remaining 22 hours until your next workout to recover. It is very difficult to train early in the morning and also in the evening. By evening, your metabolism is winding down, so rather than work against it, it is much better to work with it. My suggestion if you have to double up training in a day is to do either morning and lunch, or lunch and evening, but never morning and evening. You just can’t be “revved up” at both extremities of your day very efficiently.
