You're asking and I'm answering . . .
Hey Fit,
I just started a new job that makes it impossible to exercise in the morning like I used to (I'd have to wake up at 4 am, which is just not going to happen). So in order to fit my workouts in, I have to hit the gym from 7 to 8 p.m. Since I get up so early, I like to be in bed before 10, but will working out late make it hard for me to fall asleep?
—Need My Sleep Sally
I don't blame you for not wanting to wake up at the crack of dawn to exercise, and you should be proud of yourself for trying to fit it in to your busy schedule instead of skipping out on it entirely. Although evening workouts may not be your first choice, there are definitely some benefits. Now you can hit the gym and not feel rushed to get to work. Your late night workouts may even be more productive and your risk for injury may be reduced because you're more awake.
So will it affect your ability to fall asleep? To find out read more.
Well that answer depends on what kind of exercise you're doing and what happens in the time between the end of your workout and your bedtime. You can definitely do any type of cardio, strength training, and stretching, but you may want to do them in that exact order, with cardio first since it's the most active and requires the most energy. If you do 30 minutes of cardio, then you have 15 minutes to do some lower impact strength exercises, and then you can cool down with 15 minutes of stretching. In order to have energy to workout and not be starving afterwards, make sure you eat a healthy dinner around 5 or 6 p.m. Then after your workout, you can have a light snack if you're hungry. You want to avoid eating a big meal since that may keep you up. When you get home, take a nice hot shower or bath to calm you down, and I'm sure expending all that energy at the gym will make you sleepy by 10 p.m.
I'd give this new schedule a try. It may take your body a few weeks to adjust to the new workout time, but after a while, I'm sure you won't miss those old morning workouts.
Hogan
Enamora
Linea
I started my first pole dancing class yesterday which started @ 8 pm. And omg let me tell you - I was out like a log @ 10:30 (usually I go to bed around 11:30-12!). I slept through the entire night and today I am sooooo sore!
1I've always worked out at night. For the past 2 weeks I have been really hitting the gym hard 2 or 3 times a week, my other days are lighter. I take a spin class, strength train for 20 mins, jog/run for 15 and elliptical for 15, which ends up being around 2 hours total. You'd think I would be tired, which I am... but I am having a horrible time sleeping lately.... which is making me into a zombie in the morning and at work.
2You can try both ways...I just did a 2AM super strength training workout the other day, came home and fell right out of it. Other times I'll take an evening spinning class and I'll be so exhausted that I'm ready to fall right asleep too! Your body will just have to get used to it, but you also need to see what works best for you, after all we're all different and exercise effects our bodies differently. I wouldn't spend more than an hour or so in the gym if you need to get up though, just make sure you're doing a good workout that takes all of your exertion, otherwise not only is it a bit pointless, but it won't help to tire you out.
3If I go into the sauna and then shower straight after a night session I'm so relaxed that I pass out the minute I get home (so I eat dinner beforehand).
4Working out at night never used to bother me, but my long cardio workouts don't end until about 7:30 or 8 pm now and I just can't sleep at all.
5I actually fall asleep better after working out in the evening. Is that normal? Anyone know?
6I worked out at 9:00 last night and went to bed at 10:30. Slept like a rock. Nothing hinders my sleep! I do find the length of time I sleep shortens when I work out, but it is quality sleep.
7I really enjoyed working out at night when I first had my baby.. when I finally got her to sleep I would work out anywhere betwen 9pm-2am. But I knew she would wake up again.. and I wasn't going to be able to go to sleep anyway so it didn't matter.
But now days, even with insomnia, working out at night doesn't put me to sleep any quicker. It's like it energizes me and gets my heart pumping and my blood flowing even more.
I PREFER to exercise before work, but there's really not enough time to before I go to work. So I settle for the afternoon. It's just so hot here though. I'm so ready for fall so I can kick it back into high gear again.
8My schedule also doesn't alow me to workout early. I workout at about 8pm aswell. Afterwards I take a nice warm shower. Let me tell you, I sleep like a log. Working out late actually helps me sleep better.
9I always run at night, and never have trouble falling asleep anywhere from 1-2 hours after I run.
10the best feeling is running and then showering and taking a nap/going to sleep. sounds so good right now
11Last night I worked out from 7:30 till 9pm and I fell right asleep at 10:15 after a small snack and a shower. I even slept 9 hours!
12I never really worked out at night...on the days I have to be at work by 6, I get up at like 3:30 to get my workout in. And when I do hit the sack at around 9:30, I'm out like a light.
13A lot of my dance classes tend to be in the evenings if they're on weekdays, and they go on for about two hours. There's nothing like staggering out of a flamenco class and getting a nice hot shower to put you to sleep, trust me. Swimming late at night also puts me in the mood to crawl into bed. So it's really just a matter of adjustment, I think, and finding a way to still exercise and be able to sleep properly.
14I prefer to workout in the evening. Its a great stress releaser after a hectic day. And moreover I sleep so much better. I have anxiety alot so working out at the end of the day, helps my breathing and relaxation which makes for great sleep throughout the night.
15Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.