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Poll: Is Morning Exercise a Must for You?

By: Nicole Nichols : 7/31/2009 10:53:13 AM : 590 comments : 16,503 Views

I am not a morning person. When my alarm goes off at 7:30 a.m., I like to hit snooze at least once or twice. Even when I finally give in and open my eyes, I will lie in bed in protest for up to 15 minutes before I even move my body or get up. But just because I'm up and moving, don't expect me to actually TALK to you. I need a good hour before I feel like speaking a single word to anyone, so I'll get by with gestures or grunts as long as possible until I�m forced to speak actual words�it just takes too much energy. If sleeping counts as a hobby, it's one of mine for sure. What can I say? I like my sleep�and my bed, which is the most comfortable thing on the planet.

Sometimes I feel like I have no excuses for being this tired in the morning. I don't have any kids to care for. I don't lead a very stressful life. I take good care of myself and usually sleep for 7-8 hours each night. Most of my co-workers juggle work, family life and childcare while also exercising, training for marathons and volunteering. Coach Tanya, for example, is up at the crack of dawn (well, it might as well be) to hit the gym before she has to get her kids off to school in the morning and goes to work. Honestly, I don't know how she does it. What excuse do I have to feel too lazy or tired to walk down the hall to the bathroom?

Fitness experts say that morning exercisers are more likely to stick with an exercise routine than evening exercisers, and I can understand why. (How often do other obligations arise at that hour that would prevent you from working out?) But I am not a morning person and I don't know that I could ever wake up even earlier�especially to exercise.

This has led me to wonder: Are you a morning exerciser?

When I was 18, I was living at home and didn't have a job or a car. So I'd wake up to drive my mom to work (5 minutes away) early each morning so that I could use her car during the day. She worked in the offices of an auto plant, so she had to be at work before 7 a.m. each day. I got into a routine of sleeping in my workout clothes (a great tip by the way, if you are a morning exerciser), dropping her off at work, and then exercising across the street at the company wellness center to start my day. Somehow I managed to do this five days a week, without fail, for several months, and this is what first got me interested in exercise�and eventually led me to a career in fitness that I adore.

But these days, you couldn't pay me to wake up that early to work out. (Seriously, you can't. I get lots of offers to sub or teach early morning fitness classes that I turn down!) I'm an evening workout person for the most part, mainly because I teach fitness classes in the evening after my workday at SparkPeople is over. (And let's not forget the "I'm not a morning person" part, which surely contributes.) Occasionally, I'll leave the office for a midday workout around noon, which I love and would do more often if I didn't feel like it interfered with my workdays so much. If work weren't an issue, I'd probably exercise around the middle of the day all the time, because I'm awake, energized and ready to move at this time. On a rare day, I'll be up before my alarm and head outside for a refreshing morning run or I'll ride my bike to work, but these days are few and far between.

While I love that morning exercise energizes me and lets me check exercise off of my daily to-do list, I feel kind of helpless to stick with a morning exercise routine like I did in the past. After all, there are no pressing reasons that require me to exercise in the morning. But I'm sure that life circumstances will change over the years and, like Tanya and so many others, early morning workouts might be my only option for squeezing in exercise. But for now, I'm going to enjoy hitting snooze while I can and stick with my nighttime workouts.

How about you: Are you a morning, midday or evening exerciser? Why? If work, family life or other obligations weren't an issue, what time of day would be ideal for you to work out?

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Comments (Scroll to end to leave a comment)

SEEMASK 8/3/2010 9:31:42 PM	I can completely relate to this article. Its perfect. Its exactly how I feel in the morning. I hate waking up in the morning and since I have to prepare b/f for my husband, I do fix his b/f by 8 a.m. and pack lunch for him. (I am already exhausted by then) Once he is out of the door for work, I will have my cup of tea & fruits and I am so tired and sleepy I will just sit and relax for few hours. Once it is 10:30 or 11 a.m. I am feeling better. But I do sometimes push myself to use my treadmill watching TV before 10:30 a.m. getting an hour workout. I will have brunch. I always wonder any household work or any chores, I can just do it in half of the time in the evening, I take to do them in the morning. WOW, its to mind boggling. Also, once the day starts slowing down in the evening, I usually have so much energy and drive to conquer the whole world. I will be on my toes and thinking to do something very productive.	590
RUTGERSM0M 8/3/2010 1:02:04 PM	If the Y was not so busy and had group exercise in the morning I would be there when the door open.	589
ETHELMERZ 7/31/2010 9:09:28 PM	Very morning oriented person, dh gets up after 6, I get up a bit later to fix his breakfast since he is diabetic, then do close to 2 hrs. on the exercise bike. Have my breakfast, do chores, etc., then do the other hour after dh's lunch. We are retired, so this is our routine except when going to appts. or the like. I discovered this is the only way I can maintain my weight loss.	588
JOANMARIE25 7/30/2010 10:08:29 PM	I get my walking clothes out before I go to bed. I set out for a walk through the neighborhood no later than 6:15. I walk two miles of hills, huffing and puffing while I watch the sun come up and the birds come out to feed. I love it. I have missed only 2 days during the last 3 months.	587
BRINA421 7/30/2010 10:14:17 AM	I have found that morning exercise works best for me. I like to get it done and out of the day. I will also work out in the evening only if I want to.	586
JAXMI11ER 5/7/2010 11:28:47 AM	Even though I was never a morning person once I had my son, 5 years ago, I was forced to wake up at the crack of dawn each day as he IS a morning person. At first I thought I was cursed but now it is a blessing b/c after I take him to school I work out. By then I've been up for hours and am fully awake. I love working out each morning, it energizes me for the day. Though to be completly honest, if I get a chance to sleep in, I take it!! :) Love the article!	585
VGIMLET 3/10/2010 2:27:33 PM	If I didn't have to work full time I would probably exercise mid-morning. After I was up long enough to be awake, and before I do my other daily chores.	584
VICD25 3/9/2010 9:42:03 PM	Am is my best time. I'm still having trouble eating a bit before exercising. My trainer suggested eating a protein/carb bar while exercising, abt 100 cals. I'll try!	583
WICISKAWASU 3/9/2010 12:01:57 PM	Not a morning person at all. I think my body is mixed up. It loves the night. I wish I was a morning person because more is going on in peoples lives. I have always had to force myself out of bed to go to work or get my kids ready for school. Now that I am a grandmother I still have to force myself out of bed.	582
MRE1956 3/9/2010 4:55:42 AM	I've been a morning person for the majority of my working years. I currently get up at 4AM, get my "me time" in, have bkfst and then get my workouts in. Has worked for me, so no sense in changing at this point.....	581
BUSYDOINNOTHIN 3/9/2010 12:20:51 AM	I think once my life becomes more hectic, I'll become a morning exerciser (as they could be the only time to work out!). Right now, I love midday exercising because I can go outside, have warmer temperatures, less traffic, and I feel wonderful afterward and have a 2nd burst of energy to continue my day. Even at the gym, I go between 11a-2p just to have that energy that will wear on throughout the night.	580
TRIGFROST 3/8/2010 1:18:24 PM	Yes, it's the best time to get the whole body into the action, you are better at {all things} you do though out the entire day...Mind, Body weight, Movements, Energy levels, Food/Drink/ intake...Etc...Your' on a roll...	579
WANDERINGDOC 3/8/2010 1:07:40 PM	I am a morning person. I find that if I don't exercise first thing, often it doesn't get done. When the weather is good, I love to walk outside. If it isn't, I either use my exercise bike, Wii Walk It Out, or other inside walking exercises including my treadmill.	578
CLAREEASA 3/8/2010 10:35:21 AM	I am a morning person, but ever since I've graduated college and started my first real job working 8-5, I can't do anything before I go to work in the morning. I've had to push my workouts until after work. I would so love to be able to get up and workout before work so that I can feel much better during the workday, but just like you, I can't seem to get out of bed in the morning to actually go do it. But I really need to start.	577
RELLARALF 3/8/2010 6:36:06 AM	Yes, I am a morning person - that is my time. Exercising centers me for the day. It is, however, my goal this week to add an evening walk. We are actually supposed to have weather in the 50's.	576
ANNEPSYCH 3/3/2010 4:44:43 PM	Mornings!! Once I'm out of bed I'm usually good to go. I get on the treadmill or elliptical and watch the morning news in my basement. Or I do strength training or a DVD. I've been a morning exerciser for almost 12 solid years. It is the only time of the day that I am totally alone. It rids me of any excess water/puffy eyes so I look awake! If I miss my morning workout I can tell...it makes a big difference and has become part of the morning routine!	575
KRICKET4 3/2/2010 10:17:32 AM	I don't do mornings! Love working out at night. So when I'm done exercising all that's left to do is take a shower and go to bed.	574
LEXUSIASIS 2/25/2010 2:46:56 PM	Me, I hate mornings, they are hard and I am sure my blood doesn't start circulating until at least noon. Until then I am on autopilot.	573
BETS_44057 2/18/2010 6:04:03 AM	Yes. If I dont get it done then I probably wont do it.	572
PEGGYJEAN13 2/16/2010 7:30:39 PM	Morning excercise always worked the best for me when I was working out of town: go early, shower, work and have the rest of the day to do what I wanted. Now that I live only 3 blocks from where I work, it works better for me to walk or run after work since it is dark in the am and my course requires light. I think as long as their is a routine in your life and it becomes a habit, it does not matter when.	571
VNUSFLYTRP 2/16/2010 3:21:52 PM	I used to absolutely HATE the thought of exercising in the morning, I never did it. Like you, I needed my sleep. But ironically now, I workout every morning (swim) for an hour everyday at school. why? Because: 1. I already have to be there anyways and my classes start at noon. 2. It's the time of day that the pool is practically empty, so I take advantage of that. 3. Once I'm done, I don't have to think about it any more for the day. 4. I LOVE swimming so I can't wait to get there every morning. It definitely helps if you love whatever your activity is because then you can't wait to do it no matter what time of day it is.	570
CHRSLVSBKS 2/2/2010 9:00:41 AM	I would love to find the energy to workout in the morning again. I did it for months before I joined my current gym (closer to work). I now workout during my lunch hour and after work. I would love to go to the morning spin class at the gym. My excuse for not working out in the morning now is that the gym is 20 minutes from my home.	569
SUELEE5 2/1/2010 5:12:00 PM	I get up for work at 4am with much protest also. So mourning workout are completely out	568
HUSKYGIRL3 1/31/2010 1:05:29 PM	I am in my second semester at college and the freshman 15 did not pass me by last semester. So this semester I made myself schedule all 8:00 am classes so that I would have a regular routine and go to bed at the same time each day and get up at the same time. This way, I get up at 5:30, get to the gym by 6:00, swim for 45/50 minutes, shower and head off to class. I have been able to keep this up for two weeks so far and I feel 100% better than I ever did last semester. As long as I have a regular routine, I love being up before everyone else, including the sun, and doing a little something for myself! It's a great way to start the day.	567
SEJO3773 1/28/2010 9:53:33 PM	I am not a morning person at all, or a night owl for that matter. I have always workout out after work. I start work at 6am, lets see, working out before work would mean getting up at... 3:30am HA! That's funny! It would never happen. I live alone so i dont have to worry about being home or making dinner for anyone.	566
WALKERSSS 1/27/2010 3:22:36 PM	I love to roll out of bed, grab a water bottle and hit the gym 100's class! Later in the afternoon I get a longer workout it. A little exercise in the AM seems to set the day on a good track.	565
DOING4ME4MYLIFE 1/26/2010 6:59:06 PM	I guess for me it depends on what my work hours are now that I work days and have to be at work by 5AM I am a morning exerciser, I get up at 2:30 AM and take my dogs for a brisk 50 minute walk, I like working out in the afternoon I consider it a treat, but way too often by the time afternoon rolls around I have other things waiting for my attention.	564
RACHAEL829 1/26/2010 5:31:00 PM	I am not a morning person either. I have tried all times of the day and find that 4:30 am works best for me. I have to be at work at 6 so I exercise before then because I have the house to myself and noone is demanding anything of me. If I had no family obligations ( not that I would ever wish that) I would probably work out in the afternoon though.	563
DOCYJK 1/23/2010 10:09:42 AM	I prefer to exercise early in the day because later on, the excuses start to pile up - principally, not feeling like I have time. The added benefit is a great in-control feeling that I did it and I can conquer anything in that day!	562
TACDGB 1/22/2010 11:09:39 AM	during the week my alarm goes off at 4 a.m. and by 4:30 I am ready to hit my treadmill for 25 to 35 minutes. And then after that I do strength training for another 35 to 40 minutes. this fits my life these days. With my hubby's cargivers ariving at 8 I have to get up that early to get it all done. But I am a morning person so I don't mind. It gets my workout all done and nothing interupts it any. I love my morning workouts.	561
LIBRA73 1/22/2010 7:38:44 AM	I exercise in the morning. I get up and put on my workout stuff. I do my chores, get the kids to schools, and off to the gym. I come home, shower, and pick up with the rest of the day. It's do or die in the AM!	560
FITWITHIN 1/13/2010 9:14:07 AM	I'm totally a morning person when it comes to exercising. I pack my gym bag at night when I'm going to the gym in the morning. I'm usually at the gym between 4:30 - 5:00a.m., however if I workout at home I'm exercising by 5 a.m. I really struggle with afternoon and evening workouts. I'm just at my best in the mornings. If I worked the night before I exercise as soon as I get home and then go to bed. I never use a alarm clock to wake up in the mornings. I have a automatic time sensor and wake up like clock work.	559
SESHMET 12/28/2009 4:45:31 PM	on my gym days i get up at 7pm to get ready to make it to fitness place by 8:30am and stay there until 11:30am doing cardio/strenghten/swim/sauna/steam room/whirlpool , but days i am home i get up when i get up then do exercising sessions, I do fitness between breakfast and lunch on all days sometimes Saturday is a day of rest and errand duties.	558
KITKAT2010 11/12/2009 1:58:46 PM	I see nearly everyone here is just like me! Not a morning person in anyway possible. However, with a whole lot of personal discipline I have learned to get myself up at 5:30am - 5 days a week to get my workouts in. If I don't do it in the morning I will spend the whole day worrying if I am ever going to be able to get to it. It is a huge distraction to me. I don't feel like a complete person until I have worked out. With evenings full of husband, kids and all those resposibilties I have learned to love my alone time in the mornings.	557
PJSTILWELL 11/8/2009 3:49:48 PM	I am not a morning person either but working out in the morning is a must for me. I am up at 4:45 on most mornings and work out with my trainer 3 days a week at 5:30. If I planned to work out in the evening too many 'excuses' would come up. Working out in the morning energizes me to start my day	556
TEACHERTRISH 11/6/2009 6:51:45 PM	I am a total morning person! i'm usually up at 4 in the morning and at the gym by 4:20 or so. I love my morning runs and exercise. i find that i can do elliptical and weights in the evening, but running? gotta be in the morning. :)	555
LANNBOL22 11/6/2009 11:19:40 AM	I, too, am not a morning person, and was doing evening workouts, but I found it hard to fit it all in between making dinner, helping with homework, etc. I do most of my workouts in the morning now, and find I have more energy.	554
TOOTH_FAIRY 9/21/2009 6:22:43 AM	I'm totally NOT a morning person! I just hate to wake up early and nothing can get me out of my bed before 6 a.m. I'd really, really like to workout in the morning, because it boosts energy level and boost metabolism, but I just can't force myself to do this. I always make up some excuses, because i can't workout without a breakfast. So if I want to exercise in the morning, then'll have to exercise after a meal, so I woul have to get up even earlier to have that meal and rest after it. Noo way. I always workout in the afternoon, sometimes even in the evening although it's not good.	553
LADYBIRD_380 9/11/2009 2:16:36 PM	I get up at 6:10 most mornings, work out until 7 am, and then get ready for work to be out the door by 8 am. I watch a video (usually twice), do some cardio, and then before I know it it's 7. Some times I switch it up and watch the news while I do some workouts with my barbells or bands.	552
TARADIVYA 9/11/2009 12:57:51 AM	Wld love to exercise in the morning to start my day but that wld mean I wld hv to wake up at 5 a.m.!!! I'd rather sleep! Exercising after work currently.	551
MACGIRRL 9/9/2009 9:40:20 PM	I could have written your first paragraph! That is ME to a T. I sit and stare out our living room window over coffee with CNN or VH1 playing in the background. My mom was the same way. She always called her morning Garbo time her "Sit Stupid Time." This apple didn't fall far from mama's tree. The only time I was an early morning exerciser was when I lived in the So Cal desert near Palm Springs. Summer temps in the 120's can serve as a serious motivational tool in kicking your butt out of bed as early as humanly possible. Now that I am in the Northeast US, and have a rigid work schedule, I have settled back in to the pm, post-work, workout zone. Hence my nocturnal Sparkage. ;~)	550
GAUNTTRUE 9/7/2009 2:18:46 PM	Morning exercise is a must be me. I set by alarm for 5:20 a.m. every week day morning. I use by Spark Fitness video daily and alternate between the exercise ball and the resistance band. I would like to walk in the evenings but my busy schedule does not allow it.	549
SWEET_DEVOTION 9/7/2009 12:04:47 PM	I am so not a morning person. I have been trying to fit in working out in the mornings. I set my alarm earlier to wake me up to get that fitness video in and get to work, and then my eight-month-old wakes up an hour before the alarm which completely throws me off and I end up not workout at all. Hopefully I will be able to manage it soon enough.	548
ABERLAINE 8/21/2009 6:57:30 PM	I have been a morning person ever since I went to high school and had to be out of bed by 6:00 a.m. It got worse when I moved to my present location and started taking the bus to work instead of driving. I had to be up by 5:30 a.m. I'm retired so I could exercise any time of the day. My only exercise is walking my dog each day for about 30 minutes. I have terrible arthritis in both knees which prevents me from walking much longer. During the summer it's much easier to get up and out before the hot, humid weather sets in. During the winter, I wait until the middle of the day when the temperature will be at its highest. I have resistance bands which I'd like to start using, especially for my arms. I'd probably use them after I walk my dog rather than waiting until the afternoon.	547
B_NAVY_FIT 8/18/2009 7:47:34 PM	Im not a morning person at all!!! Im not even a night person.. if I could sleep all day I would, lol.. but I dont work out as much as I should, maybe if I go to bed at a moe reasonable time I can get up and do some things.. usually if it's a must-do I will.. but.. yeah :(	546
LJBROOKS58 8/18/2009 12:06:35 PM	I want to exercise, but for the last 2 years I have been working on my Masters' and burning the candle at both ends. I have become very sedatory and stiff in the joints. I am trying very hard to get remotivated by finding it to be a challenge. Please help ......Need all of the inspiring messages that I can get.	545
MYLIFE0662 8/17/2009 3:56:04 PM	I am and have always been a morning person. I don't have to be to work until 9am and I have no small children (only 2 dogs), but I am up at 4:30AM, and do not need an alarm clock..... I have an internal clock built in..... Therefore, morning exercise is my thing. Exercising in the morning is my morning "coffee", it just starts my day off right, and love it.	544
BELLAPOCOMO 8/13/2009 4:10:05 PM	I love exercising at night - it allows me to work out all my thoughts and frustrations of the day to exercise harder, and it also makes me tired to go to sleep at night..	543
5LBSAMTH 8/11/2009 1:11:29 PM	I preferred exercising in the evenings but things kept interferring so I switched to mornings. It was difficult at first but a friend recommended that I tune my alarm to the annoying buzz sound and place it in a location where I was forced to get out of bed to turn the sound off. The key was forcing myself not to return to bed. It was a gradual change that I am happy to have made. I love working out at 5:30 AM. It energizes me for the entire day.	542
AMANDALU3 8/11/2009 11:50:10 AM	I want to be a morning workout person. I am so tired at the end of the day that I always seem to find an excuse for not working out. So now I set my alarm clock for 5:30 every morning. But so far I end up sleeping til 7:30 (my normal time for getting up for work). I just hope that one day I will actually get up at 5:30. When I was in High School I worked out in the morning regularly, but have never done it since. And as a result I havent regularly worked out since. I want to be a morning workout person, and hopefully I will get there!	541