Late-Night Workouts
Are you not a morning person? Do you dread the idea of having to workout first thing before you head 
off to your job?
If you answered yes, then you may be more inclined to complete your workouts after you get out of work.
Although some argue that exercising first thing in the morning gives you a metabolic boost and burns more body fat due to your fasting state, I've found that you can get equally great results either way.
The only downfall to working out so late at night is that the closer you exercise towards your bedtime, the harder it is to fall asleep. Some people are asleep the minute their head hits the pillow, but for others, it's a completely different story. If you're someone who gets revved up after a good workout and can't seem to cool your body down and slow your heart rate, then you may want to reconsider your late-night workouts.
It's best to keep an eye on your sleeping patterns on the days you workout versus your off-days. This way you can monitor the effect your exercise has on your ability to fall asleep quickly and get a good night's rest. After all, recovery is an extremely important piece of your exercise program.
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Posted by: Brianna | May 9, 2009 4:17:24 AM
I am definitely the type of person to do workouts at night, and even to the extreme hour. With a 1 1/2-year-old, I get enough of a workout chasing after him, running errands, making meals, etc. None of us are morning people (even the little guy!) and we usually rise around 8:30-9am. My fiance works graveyard shifts 5 nights a week starting at 11pm, and my son's bedtime is at 9pm.
This gives my fiance and I enough time to spend together watching TV or just hanging out (on work days) and me a chance to relax after a long day, then I do a 30 minute workout after he leaves. It's a great way to alleviate the any stress collected from throughout the day and helps me sleep better, as a migraine medication I'm on causes insomnia. Additionally, summertime temps. reach 120 degrees so nighttime is much more comfortable!
As you can see, the time I workout is around 11pm which most people would never dream of doing! In fact, most are in bed by then! The point is is that you need to find time within your schedule to do your workouts and what makes you feel most content to do them. I absolutely cannot stand exercise unless I'm in a lap pool yet with this workout DVD and the time I do it, I find myself surprisingly motivated. It's all about figuring out what makes you content with your day rather than basing it on what the majority of other people do.
Posted by: Stephen Cabral | Jun 13, 2008 4:19:08 PM
I think we can see from the comments that working out at night really depends on the person.
For some people like N. Davis exercising after work helps them fall asleep, while others like Dan stay too geared up to go bed soon after.
It's all about finding what works for you within your schedule and lifestyle. The important thing is that you make the time...
Posted by: N. Davis | Jun 12, 2008 5:06:31 PM
I have tried working out at night and in the mornings but, I prefer working out at night because it burns all of my energy and I immediately want to fall asleep. I sometimes have difficulty staying awake while exercising.
Posted by: Sue lomas | Jun 12, 2008 3:08:34 PM
I have a few clients as a P.T who find working out after work is a great destressor.I also have done random trials concerning blood pressures pre and post work out ,and found 100% their blood pressures were. much reduced
Posted by: Dan W | Jun 11, 2008 11:51:48 PM
I find working out right after work to be convenient, though it can be kind of a pain when you'd rather just get home and relax as soon as possible. I also find working too late at night just keeps me up, and it's hard to settle down and fall asleep.
By the way, you used the word "downfall" incorrectly. You mean to say "downside" -- "downfall" means a sudden loss of wealth, rank, etc., or the cause of such sudden loss.
