Morning vs. Evening workouts

On Trial: Morning versus Evening Workouts

Is it better to work out in the morning or in the evening?



OPENING ARGUMENT Research on the topic of when to train mainly covers the effects of the time of day on strength. In general, the majority of the research confirms that athletes are considerably stronger in the evenings than in the mornings. Although being strong during the workout is important, to bodybuilders, the major importance is [COLOR=#666666 !important][COLOR=#666666 !important]muscle [COLOR=#666666 !important]growth[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR].
THE INVESTIGATION A study from the University of Southern Mississippi had 16 weight-trained males work out for 10 weeks in which they followed a twoday training split for four workouts per week. Each workout consisted of about 45 minutes of [COLOR=#666666 !important][COLOR=#666666 !important]weight [COLOR=#666666 !important]training[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] followed by 45 minutes of cardio. Half the subjects trained in the morning (before 10 AM) and the other half trained in the evening (after 6 PM).
THE RESEARCH Findings revealed that the group that trained in the evening had about a 3% increase in lean [COLOR=#666666 !important][COLOR=#666666 !important]muscle[/COLOR][/COLOR] mass and about a 4%
decrease in bodyfat, while the group that trained in the morning had almost no increase in lean muscle mass and no decrease in bodyfat. The researchers weren’t sure why there was a difference, but surmised that the greater increase in muscle mass may have been due to the fact that people are typically stronger in the evenings. They also suggested that the greater decrease in bodyfat may have been due to the later training boosting the subjects’ metabolism at a time when it normally starts to decrease.
THE VERDICT It appears that training in the evenings may offer a slight advantage to gaining strength, boosting muscle mass and dropping bodyfat. Of course, the best time of day to train is always when it’s most convenient. That way, you train more consistently, which is ultimately the best method for achieving steady results.

— Jim Stoppani, PhD
Reference: T. Scheett, “Effect of training time of day on body [COLOR=#666666 !important][COLOR=#666666 !important]composition[/COLOR][/COLOR], muscular strength and endurance,” National Strength
and Conditioning Association Annual Meeting.<IFRAME style="body: transparent" id=stSegmentFrame height=0 src="http://seg.sharethis.com/getSegment.php?purl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.musclechemistry.com%2Fupload%2Fnewthread.php%3Fdo%3Dnewthread%26f%3D33&jsref=&rnd=1325827378593" frameBorder=0 width=0 allowTransparency name=stframe scrolling=no></IFRAME>
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I just flat out feel better and have more energy training later.

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I never knew the science behind it but I always felt stronger and had more productive workouts in the evening.

I used to only train in the evenings, but I go in after work now at around 10am and I've gotten used to it now. I can actually get a great workout in and then go home to sleep for a couple hours once I am done so it's a nice routine

I do both b/c of my schedule and I seem to be a bit stronger and get better workouts in the morning. The stimulants are more effective and insulin use is easier IMO.

the only workout that I do in the morning is one sit up to get out of bed...

to me there is no motivation in the morning, after work I have several meals in me and there is more carbs to fuel the workout

dorian123 said:

the only workout that I do in the morning is one sit up to get out of bed...

to me there is no motivation in the morning, after work I have several meals in me and there is more carbs to fuel the workout

Click to expand...

lmao

although the bodys natural testosterone peaks at about 10.00am

^^^That's about the time I'm typically training