Natural Bodybuilding Workout Video Blog – What Is The Best Time To Workout
July 31st, 2010 by Hugo RiveraPosted in Beginning Bodybuilding (Beginners Start Here), Bodybuilding Training, Bodybuilding Videos
In this natural bodybuilding video blog I discuss what is the best time to workout.
What Is The Best Time to Workout?
The question of what is the best time to workout is a very common question that unfortunately gets answered in a different way, depending of who you ask. In this video blog I want to give you some specific guidelines so that you can determine what is the best time to workout for you.
In a nutshell:
The Best Time to Workout = The Most Convenient Time for You.
While this may sound overly simplistic, this is a practical and true statement. No need to over-complicate matters.
I recommend that if your schedule at work is a steady one, choose whether you want to workout before work (in the morning) or after (in the afternoon). Personally, I like to workout in the morning as I get a nice metabolic boost from it.
The most important thing however to keep in mind is that you choose a time that allows you to create a habit of working out consistently. If you lack motivation, get yourself a workout partner that has the same goals as you and make it a point to meet at the same time every day to get your workouts done.
But Are There Some Workout Times That Yield Slightly Better Results?
To get the absolute fastest results there are certain times that can yield a few more benefits, depending on what your body type is.
If you are a naturally skinny person (a hardgainer) you can benefit more from training in the afternoon, as this allows you to get a few meals in your system, thus increasing your glycogen levels (stored carbohydrates). In this manner, when you hit the weights, you will be able to have better workouts since your glycogen levels will be high.
If you have a slow metabolism (like myself) then you are better off by training in the morning since your glycogen levels will be low, and thus, your body has to rely more heavily on store body fat for energy.
However, if you can’t adhere to these preferential times, there is no need to worry as the most important thing for getting results is that you get the workouts done consistently!
Now, for competitive bodybuilders and fitness/figure athletes, the rules are a little bit different. If you compete, you will need to make the time to workout a few times a day. Competitors should do cardio first thing in the morning to enhance fat loss and later on do the weight training, either around lunch time or later in the afternoon. That way you get two metabolic boosts and you keep the whole workout time short which will in turn preserves muscle mass.
Once again, going back to the most of us, the best time to train is whenever you can program it on a consistent basis.
What If I Have Rotating Work Schedules?
If you have a rotating work schedule then as long as you have your schedule a week in advance, you can program your workout week as soon as you know at what times you work. That way, every day you will know when you need to be ready to hit the weights.
What if I Work Nights?
Same rule applies as what I just said. In this case, figure out if it is better for you to do the workout before or after work.
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If you like this video then please “Tweet it” and Facebook it (buttons are below the video)
If you’ve got any questions on the video or suggestions for more video topics, then just scroll to the bottom of the page and use the comment system.
Hugo Rivera CFT, SPN, BSCE. is the author of the very popular “Body Re-Engineering” E-book, which teaches you how to gain lean muscle mass and get lean without drugs, or fancy expensive supplements, using the secrets he devised after many years of weight problems as a child.
Hugo is a lifetime natural bodybuilder, best selling fitness author (with over a million books sold worldwide), multi-certified personal trainer, industry consultant and fitness expert who not only knows training and nutrition theory, but also applies it on a daily basis as evidenced by the fact that he's always in shape and by his awards and high placings at numerous national level bodybuilding competitions.
Check out Hugo's Mass Building and Fat Loss Program here.