We’ve talked before about the optimal times to lift weights.  The best time as research has shown is in the afternoon.  Of course, most of us don’t have the luxury of being able to plot a workout in the middle of the day every time we workout so we’re left with the time slots we can salvage.
For myself, my open times (now) are usually 6:00 am to 8:30 am or 7:30 pm to 9:0opm (gym closes at 9).  On the weekends, I do have the freedom to workout on the middle of the day.  What I’ve noticed is at the …read more

The hardest part for most people that want to get a good workout early in the morning is the actual getting up part. I used to be really good about it, but then again I used to be really goods about going to bed at a decent hour. One thing I have always found that work well for me is putting your workout clothes right next to your bed and use a clock without a snooze alarm. I’m the type of person that will hit the snooze 3 or 4 times before I get up if I’m feeling extra lazy.
Once …read more

I didn’t feel like getting up at 7:09, but I did.  After about 20 minutes, I headed to the gym and had a solid workout and now I’m done for today. I’m a little tired because I didn’t get as much sleep as I am accustomed to, but that’s ok because it will help me get to bed earlier.
Workout
30 minutes treadmill 2.95 miles, 32 minutes 3.07 miles counting cool down
3×12 regular dumbell curls 30 lbs
3×12 back extension
3×10 cross curls while doing step-ups on 10 inch platform (curl the arm opposite of the leg stepping)
3×12 bent over row 87 lbs …read more

If at all possible, I highly recommend you wake up early to workout.  This gives you several additional bonuses over working out later in the day.  I love when I get in this habit, but it’s tough to keep up.  I’m going to try again starting this week.
Benefits to working out in the morning:

Energizes you for the rest of the day (gets the blood flowing)
Puts a positive, more productive spin to your mindset
You don’t have to worry about going to the gym later
Your workouts won’t be put off by tiredness and other things that “pop up”
You’ll be ready to go …read more