Do You Exercise Before Bed?

on October 30, 2009 at 6:49 AM

Photo by Yeller

I'd always heard that exercising before bed is a bad idea because it revs you up. I find that's certainly true of cardio; when I come home from my late night dance class or an after dinner run, I'm often wired for a good hour or two.

But lately I've adopted a night-time exercise habit that actually helps me sleep. I've been doing a series of pilates type core, arm and leg exercises immediately before I pop under the covers. It started off because that was the only time I had to myself after I put the kids to bed and cleaned up the house.

At first I figured 9 p.m. was not an ideal time to exercise, but I'm finding the floor work is very meditative and actually helps me sleep, especially when I finish off the routine with some deep stretches. And the best part is if you really work your core, you wake up in the morning with that washboard stomach feeling, even if it only lasts till you fill it up at breakfast.

Best of all, I feel so good crawling into bed that my exercise routine has become something I actually look forward to each night, not just another chore, so it's not often I blow it off.

I love pilates and have been able to find a number of great exercises online. Here are a couple of sites to check out:

Pilates Mat Exercises

Pilates from Full Fitness

Pilates Exercises for Beginners

My friend, who is a physical therapist, said pilates is the absolute BEST exercise you can do for that toned, long-muscled look. All the more reason to give it a try ...

Do you exercise or stretch before bed? Does it help you sleep or keep you up?

Related posts:

Hula Hoop for Weight Loss

Move of the Week: The Plank Position

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: exercise, weight loss

Comments (8)

Momforhealth

on Oct 30, 2009 at 9:52 AM

I love pilates. I have 2 evening yoga classes that I feel help me sleep and I will sometimes do it here at home after the kids go to bed. I try to do more meditative type poses rather than anything cardio which keeps me up.

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arFit

on Oct 30, 2009 at 3:25 PM

Hi!

I think it's great that you manage to squeeze in exercise before bed and have found something that helps you sleep as well! As for getting lean and toned, I wish just doing pilates was the answer. While it does help strengthen and tone your muscles, you need a way to burn calories and blast fat, if its weight loss and fit physique your looking for (if not than disregard this). But I think I'm going to try adding pilates before bed to my routine as well.

I know how hard it can be with a family, children, work etc, I recently wrote and article on my blog addressing exactly this issue. I encourage you to check it out and give me your feedback. I truly hope it helps and think you may find it beneficial.

It includes example workouts you can do when you are crunched for time but still want a great workout. ENJOY!!

http://dynamicworkouts.blogspot.com/

aurorabunny

on Oct 30, 2009 at 4:39 PM

It truly doesn't matter what time of day you work out; you will still totally reap the benefits. I do my work-out every evening around 6 PM. If I waited much later I doubt I would have the energy..I would prefer to do it in the morning but unfortunately don't have time.

AgentBrez

on Oct 30, 2009 at 9:24 PM

i run after dinner b/c its the only time i can. my husband is home to watch the kids and its before their bedtime. i also run better at the end of the day b/c i am more stretched out. when i have had the chance to run in the morning [weekends, vacations etc] i always have a slower run than in the evening. its also nice to have time by myself at the end of a full day with 2 toddlers at home.

on Nov 1, 2009 at 4:40 PM

Oops sorry, here is the link for finding time to exercise!

[url=http://www.dynamicworkouts.blogspot.com]Dynamic Workouts Blog[/url]

Nonmember comment from LoweJody

on Jul 4, 2010 at 5:46 PM

Some time ago, I did need to buy a good car for my business but I did not have enough money and couldn't buy something. Thank God my sister suggested to get the credit loans at reliable bank. Hence, I acted that and used to be satisfied with my sba loan.

Nonmember comment from Cliff

on Jul 22, 2010 at 3:42 AM

it is better to exercise before you go to bed..prefarably pilates exercise. Pilates is not just another exercise, it is a workout with many health benefits. today, it is enjoying popularity since many celebrities endorsing it. Workout for the mind: Helps to be calm, beat stress, anxiety and depression. It can help you on a better sleep condition.

Nonmember comment from COco

on Jul 22, 2010 at 10:12 AM

I dont have much time to exercise and I hate getting up any earlier than I have to, so I work out at night around 9 PM. I do Pilates toning and sculpting. I will try to add cardio to burn fat, but so far pilates and watching my food is helping me lose weight.