When it comes to the best time to workout…
I've personally tried everything.
I've tried very early in the morning, late morning, lunch time, early afternoon, late afternoon, night, and even before bed.
What do I believe is the best time to workout since I've done them all and tried them all over the past 10 years?
Definitely, without a doubt, early morning weight lifting workouts are my favorite. You just can't beat an early morning workout. Let me explain.
Before You Have Any Objections to Early Morning Workouts, Listen to This…
I know you might be thinking…
There's no way I have time to get up before work or school to lift weights. You might think that you're just not a morning person.
Or you might think that you just don't have time with your busy schedule — work, school, and/or kids. You might think it's tough to find time to workout.
All it's going to take is some organization and scheduling on your part to get that early morning workout in the training log.
Then you'll feel better, have more energy, and focus on eating healthier throughout the day.
The best time to workout is definitely early in the morning… Here's why:
What's the Research Say About The Best Time to Workout?
Research isn't conclusive on the best time to workout.
Some say early morning is best… some say you are stronger when your body temperature is at it's highest in the afternoon.
Other research says you are less likely to get injured later in the day. And some research says early morning workouts help you stay consistent.
In reality…
I truly believe morning workouts are the best BY FAR… And I'll give you the reasons for my views on working out early in the morning:
Everyone can make time to get up earlier and weight train.
No matter what your situation might be… everyone can get up an hour to an hour and a half earlier to workout. All you have to do is change your schedule around later in the day to make up for that sleep loss.
It's very easy to do… you just have to do it. Your body will adapt. Your life will adapt. Your health is one of your top priorities… so treat it that way.
Once your body adjusts to morning workouts, you will be alert, awake, and ready to KILL the weights.
You might have some trouble waking up at first. You must fight through the first couple of workouts, and then your body will adjust on its own. You will then be ready to hit the weights early in the morning.
The human body is simply amazing. It will adapt to anything you do. You are in control. If you want to be a morning workout person, your body will make it happen — it just needs a little encouragement.
You won't feel groggy any more or have a lack of energy in the morning.
After your body adjusts to working out early in the morning, you will absolutely love it. You will head off to school or work ready to tackle any problems that come your way.
You will do better at your job, better at school, better with your kids, etc. Nothing will stand in your way because your energy levels and alertness will be better than ever.
You will be more consistent and get better overall results.
Morning workouts really are addictive… That's why I believe early morning is the best time to workout.
You will begin to wake up ready to hit the weights because you feel so great after a morning workout. Really… it doesn't get any better.
You feel refreshed from a good night of sleep, you hit the gym, and make progress on every exercise. Your results are spectacular because you are making progress every workout.
Almost nothing can or will get in your way with morning workouts.
If you get up early before most people even think about getting up, there's not much than can stop you from working out.
Unplanned events or problems usually don't come up very early in the morning.
Have to work overtime? Fine… you already did your workout this morning. Kids need help with something after school? Fine. Anything else unexpected come up later in the day? Fine. Nothing hardly ever gets in your way.
Usually, everyone else is sleeping. So take pride in the fact that you are up working hard while everyone else is sleeping away.
You stay more focused on your diet the rest of the day.
There's just something inside us that wants us to stay more focused if we put so much effort into a morning workout.
Who wants to get up early and workout just to cancel out all the hard work by eating unhealthy foods? Not I. Not you.
I sure hope I have convinced you to get up earlier and lift weights in the morning. Because it really is the best time to workout.
Give it a shot… You will love working out in the morning — your results will get MUCH better and you'll love how much better your days go.
You Don't HAVE To Workout In The Morning… What's The Best Time To Workout For You?
Let's say for some reason… you just can't workout early in the morning. Not sure what that reason would be, but let's just say you can't.
Really, the absolute best time to workout is the time that fits your schedule best.
If you can find a particular time of day that fits your schedule best and you know nothing will ever get in your way, then that's a perfect time for your weight lifting workouts.
I just think early morning is best for everyone because usually nothing will prevent you from working out.
It's your choice… Take it from someone who has tried everything — change your schedule around so you can workout early in the morning. It's the best time to workout — no doubt.
You will be hooked on morning workouts for sure… in no time.
If My Wife And I Can Workout In The Morning So Can You…
My wife was NEVER been a morning person. She loves to sleep as late as she can each morning.
Well… she got very serious about getting rid of all the body fat she gained during her pregnancy. She asked me for help finally — she's a very stubborn woman sometimes.
She wanted to do it her way and followed all the gimmicks and quick fixes that I always told her… “Honey, that's not going to work. They're just trying to take your money.”
She didn't think weight lifting was for women. But she finally wised up and asked me for help.
She told me she would do whatever it took to get rid of the extra belly fat. I told her the best time to workout. So, what was next for her? That's right — getting up at 3:50 AM to lift weights with me.
Yes, she moaned and groaned and even hissed at me a few times at 3:50 AM when I told her it's time to get her butt up and get going.
She truly is a warrior inside so I knew she would do it. She's tough — that's one reason why I married her.
Guess what?
Now, she absolutely loves getting up and working out with me in the mornings. She agrees that morning is the best time to workout too! And her results have been simply AMAZING.
We Stay Extremely Busy BUT We Find The Time to Workout Consistently… You Can Too
Now, I'm not claiming we're the busiest people in the world because we're not… and we definitely don't want to be.
But we do have busy lives just as you do.
We both have jobs. I'm an Electrical Engineer and my wife is a Registered Nurse. We have two little girls that keep us busy all the time.
We have 2 dogs: a German Shepherd and a Parsons Russell Terrier. We own a home on 2.5 acres and we take care of everything on our own.
Taking care of a home is a lot of hard work — for example, we just dug 150 holes for pine trees around our property this past weekend. And we still have to plant all the trees and mulch them all too.
Our jobs are demanding…
I work on this website in my spare time so I am always busy. My wife is always working with our little girls. We take time out of the day to play with them constantly.
And we always make time to workout and we put forth the extra effort to eat healthy ALL THE TIME. We want our girls to be as healthy as possible so we feed them only the best foods. It takes extra time to prepare everything versus heating up some unhealthy frozen meal for them or giving them some unhealthy “kids” meal.
The morning is the best time to workout so please give it a shot and change your lifestyle starting today.
It feels great to know you are doing everything you can to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Try it — It feels GREAT!!!
Dan says
I’ve been working out early (5am) for 3 years now and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sleeping that extra hour would never make me feel anywhere near as energized as hitting the weights first thing. It’s really fantastic and leaves no excuses for missing a workout, though after a while it just becomes part of the daily routine so there’s never a reason to make excuses.
President of WLC says
Dan, great comment. You hit all the best things about morning workouts. I hope this helps others to realize how great it is to workout in the morning. It truly is the best time to workout. While everyone is still sleeping and trying to get going at work each morning, we’re already going strong and getting things done!
Jeff Craft says
For me , morning workouts are more a matter of having easier access to the equipment without having to deal with so many students (I use the gum at the university that leases out my soul…er, I mean… employs me). It’s also a good prayer time – more than “God let me get through this last set. Amen.” 🙂
President of WLC says
Hey Jeff, those are very good reasons for morning workouts as well! Sometimes I forget some of those struggles since I’ve been working out at home for so long now. You won’t find too many students up that early in the morning!
SW says
I totally agree with all the points you’ve made and love the feeling after getting home from work and being able to relax. I’ve just recently started working out in the early AM and what I’m finding is that my body is really only ready for cardio activities, e.g. light running or bike. Ideally I want to be doing more weight training but my body is so stiff it feels like I may do some harm. Any suggestions on getting my body ready to go? Thanks for the article.