by Ms. K

Created on: January 22, 2010

The most obvious disadvantages of a morning workout are those involved with waking up earlier than one would have to if one were simply getting ready for work and feeling less than flexible after a night on anything other than a posturpedic mattress. The less obvious disadvantages of working out in the morning involve losing the benefits of an afternoon or evening workout; if indeed, the A.M. workout is a trade-off.

Can you spare the sleep?

Studies have shown that many of us are not getting enough sleep. Getting up earlier does not necessarily translate into going to bed earlier, especially if one has children. Morning workouts lend a metabolic boost, but if one is sacrificing sleep, one is already negating some of the health benefits. Lack of sleep increases the risk of diabetes and obesityand shortens the life span. If getting up early means sleeping less, a morning bike ride or jog probably isn't a good idea.

The effort to climb out of bed early in the morning may be specifically difficult for those whose natural rhythms make them a "night owl". If you force yourself to do something you hate, you are much more likely to stop doing it. If you are not a morning person, the morning routine may not be the right workout for you.

Is it worth the risk of injury?

When a person exercises and stretches on a regular basis, the muscles and joints stay more flexible than they will for a person who does not adhere to a habitual fitness routine. That is a given. Still, aging takes its own toll and stiff joints and achy muscles add to the risk of injury. Yes, a person can take a few minutes longer to stretch, but that may not be feasible when you have to be at work or school early in the morning.

Is the morning workout replacing evening exercise?  

Other factors that may be seen as a disadvantage have to do with trading that evening calorie burning walk for a morning jog. As the day comes to an end, metabolism naturally slows down. The evening power walk gives a boost to the metabolism and can help burn off the extra calories of a heavy dinner. When one works out in the morning, one may be less likely to want to work out in the evening.

It isn’t just the calorie burn. Walking in the early evening actually helps you sleep better. If a morning workout is a replacement for an evening of calorie-burning, sleep-inducing exercise, the disadvantage of the morning exercise routine is an obvious one.

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