Everyone has it’s busy schedules nowadays, so it’s hard to find the time to exercise — that’s a fact. Between juggling a career, a social life, and binge watching the latest Netflix marathon, it can be difficult to squeeze in workouts even though we know they’re vital to our health and well-being.
However, perhaps it would help our overwhelming schedules to know that when it comes to hitting the gym, do some sports or just exercising at certain times can help maximize our fitness goals.
So, let’s find out: What’s the best time of the day to exercise?
Morning vs. Afternoon, or Night
Logistically, there are many pros to working out in the morning. First of all, you’ll get your workout done and over with before you even start your day. That means you’ll begin your day with endorphins, and a good feeling knowing you accomplished something before 11 a.m. that some people won’t accomplish all day. And that’s a huge ego boost.
Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about working out later in the afternoon or evening. This can be a relief, leaving time for cooking dinner, socializing with friends, and just plain relaxing.
Indeed, according to Science, Studies support the notion of working out in the morning hours. Studies
Trusted Source suggest that revving up your fitness regime in the evening could compromise your sleep. Exercise increases your heart rate and body temperature. That means that late night sweat sessions could be hindering your ability to get some shut-eye.
While it certainly seems like the morning is an ideal time to work out, fitting in exercise in the afternoon or after hours has its proven perks. Planning on an evening workout may mean you get some extra shuteye in the morning. But there are other benefits, too!
Your body’s ability to perform peaks in the afternoon. Your body temperature increases throughout the day, optimizing your muscle function and strength, enzyme activity, and endurance for performance. Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., your body temperature is at its highest. This may mean you’ll be exercising during the window of time your body is most ready, potentially making it the most effective time of day to work out.
Additionally, oxygen uptake kinetics are faster in the evening, which means you use your resources more slowly and effectively than in the morning. Working out in the morning could also require adding an additional warm up to your routine, which could take away from the focus of your workout.
The Verdict
So what time is best? While the science and studies seem contradictory, one thing is clear: Working out is important, no matter what time of day you do it. What really matters is that you find a time of day that works for you and that fits your schedule, and then stick to it. By keeping your workout regime consistent at the same time every day, you could be making greater training gains. And isn’t that what really matters?