Best time of day for exercise?

[pepecat]

My natural 'high' in terms of energy is afternoon/evening ish. It takes me ages to get wakened up in the morning, so as for early morning bike rodes, forget it. Trouble is, I have a 30 miler to do in October, which starts between 9-10 am. What's the best way to get used to morning riding?
I did a 20 miler the other week between about 10.30am-12.30 and that was ok - a really nice ride actually, but i was yawning all the way round.
Is it possible to 'shift' ones natural peak exercise time, or is it just tough luck?

 

[HLaB]

Just start going to bed earlier and getting up earlier your pattern will soon switch round so that you are more active in the AM.

 

[yello]

What's the best way to get used to morning riding?

The only way to get used to something is to do it more! Is commuting a possibility?

Other than that, not knowing what sort of time you go to bed, how late you eat, if you drink (alcohol or coffee) before bed, etc etc it's difficult to know what to suggest. In my experience, if you get a decent night's kip then you have less problem getting up in the morning.

 

[NormanD]

Get up at  5am and be out on the bike by about 5.30am with the winter due around the corner and the cold mornings, I doubt you'll be doing much yawning 

 

[Paul_L]

i think everyone is different.

Me, i'm a morning person. Never had a problem getting up at 5am if needed. I ride to work setting off at 5-45 and have a real zip. Coming home however it's a different situation. Yawn, struggle, yawn.

Anyway, getting near my bed time now

 

[jimboalee]

Late afternoon / evening IS the best time. Pref' two hours after a decent lunch and some light exercise and stretches to limber up.

Wait until you've been cycling for a few months ( next spring ). You'll be starting 200 km Audax DIYs and Meshes at 06:00.
Another year on from this and you'll be starting Audax 400s at Midnight.

 

[Willo]

Early mornings for me, although my exercise is relatively short - either gym, 5-7k run or up to 20m cycle. Just seems to feel best for me and if going out later in the days it feels tougher. Downside is I've usually had nothing to eat beforehand, so if cycling I take some fruit in my pocket.

 

[Garz]

If only I had the luxury..

I fit in a ride as and when I have the time.

 

[zacklaws]

I have always presumed early morning, and consequentially, I always like to be out as early as I can. The longer I leave it, there is more chance of me not going for a ride, for every hour I dilly dally, mentally I clock up the fact that I could be 16 miles on average out on my ride, after about 3 hours for example, I could have been 48 miles away and then I loose interest rapidly and may not bother at all at that point.

Anyway I googled your Question, and it came back with no definite answer as to what is the best time. The only thing that is accepted is that exercise in the morning is good for loosing weight as your metabolism stays high for a longer period than in the evening, as you normally switch off at that time afterwards and go to bed.

Doing a check on my riding for the past 2 years, I have done:-

Morning - 513hrs
Midday - 78hrs
Afternoon - 38hrs
Evening - 64hrs

 

[Willo]

If only I had the luxury..

I fit in a ride as and when I have the time.

To be honest, it's the same with me and usually early morning is the only option which fortunately fits with what seems to work best for me. However, in the week that means a short cycle or gym session at 6.30 en-route to catching the train to work. To much cycline to do and not enough time!

 

[sarahpink]

im a morning person, get anxiuos if i havent been able to do some exercise. sets me up for the day

 

[runner]

As with many here I commute and therefore however I feel whatever the weather...I get on my bike and I ride...not a problem as I love riding. I have been increasing my commute distance today, usually do 10mile in ...10mile home but did a 13 each way today...the idea being to get 100miles in this week. It was a lovely morning at 6.30 with the mist lying on the low fields before I joined the cycle track at Bitton and took the well trodden route to Bristol City Centre. In my previous job I used to drive each morning and evening and it made me tired...I now cycle and it makes me feel alive

 

[Bigsharn]

I find that the best time to exercise is as early in the morning as possible, between 5 and 7, though it's very rare people can comfortable get up at that time.