Is Weight Training Earlier In The Day Helpful For Muscle Gain?

A popular bodybuilding question revolves around the most effective time to train, with many wondering if morning weight lifting workouts are superior for muscle gains. In fact, numerous bodybuilders make a schedule change to wake up early so that they can complete their weight lifting workout, feeling that this is the most effective method for consistent muscle building. Yet, is this actually so? The answer is not as obvious as some may believe.

One of the most important bodybuilding concepts for achieving maximum muscle size increase is intensity, which simply means that full effort must occur throughout each weight lifting set, and this principle involves disciplined mental focus that will dictate the type of overall muscle gain produced. In order for a weight lifting workout to provide a brutal level of output and focus, the bodybuilder must emotionally feel energized to engage in the given weight lifting workout, and this very factor must influence when a bodybuilder best schedules a weight lifting workout for maximum muscle growth.

Many are wise in scheduling weight lifting workout sessions for the early morning hours, as they either experience their largest energy surge upon awakening, and feel the greatest motivation to engage in a weight lifting session at that time, or, due to hectic work and family schedules, cannot possibly schedule a weight lifting workout session at a time other than early in the day, prior to pursuing numerous personal obligations, therefore forcing such a structure. But some who attempt to pursue early weight lifting workouts despite having the time to train late in the day must consider their own biological response to stress, and if they sense that early weight lifting allows them to provide the same level of mental focus and physical effort as a later weight lifting workout session, then they are free to continue following such a practice, but if a bodybuilder feels greater energy during afternoon or evening hours, far beyond what is experienced earlier, then clearly, schedule permitting, the most advantageous time for that particular individual to perform a weight lifting workout session is later in the day, when he or she is capable of focusing maximum mental and physical effort towards intense weight lifting.

One other factor that must be considered is whether a particular weight lifting time allows for improved consistency, as some who pursue early morning weight lifting might find that on some days, due to fatigue, they decide to wake up later, and begin skipping workouts due to lack of motivation. The bodybuilder should then decide if moving the weight lifting workout session later in the day is possible considering potential scheduling conflicts, and if modifying workout time is realistic, then this will prove to be the best choice to aid in consistency.
Although weight lifting at different times each day is acceptable, and can work well if a bodybuilder is extremely disciplined, most weight lifters will find that performing their workouts at approximately the same time each day increases the probability of long term consistency, as scheduling, a very important aspect in keeping humans on task, can force a bodybuilder into the gym regularly through habit, while to the contrary, regularly modifying weight lifting workout times can easily allow a bodybuilder to begin skipping workouts without experiencing any sense of loss.

Although scheduling weight lifting workouts at identical times is preferred, those with changing shifts or who work multiple jobs may have no option but to perform workouts at various times based on their specific work hours, yet in such a situation, it's best to try and plan ahead as far as possible to determine when those workout times will be so that, mentally, you develop a sense of accountability towards meeting weight lifting obligations. This is far superior to the haphazard approach that many bodybuilders adopt, which normally results in skipped workout sessions.

The key in producing maximum muscle building is to select a time during the day when both mental and physical energy is at the highest levels, and I recommend adopting this same weight lifting schedule if work and family obligations permit. Although there is no best time to perform a weight lifting workout session that fits every individual, as this will depend upon personal schedules, clearly, the necessary criteria in deciding when to schedule a workout session will be to select an hour when maximum mental and physical effort is possible, which will increase the chance for an intense, effective weight lifting experience.

Francesco Castano authors MuscleNOW.com, a diet and weight lifting program teaching the exact techniques for muscle gain without supplements or drugs. He also owns IncrediBody.com, an online fitness superstore selling fitness equipment at guaranteed lowest prices.