Doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals emphasize the value of regular exercises, but they never point to the exact ideal time to do so. That’s why many people struggle keeping up with a fitness schedule.
Juggling between balancing a social life, career, family, staying up to date with Netflix, and still keeping up with workouts may seem too much for one person. The most important thing is to make sure you exercise, Right? Not really.
Exercising at any time of the day has physical health benefits, but if you want to optimize and get the most out of your workouts, you might want to know the best time to exercise.
When is The Best Time to Work Out?
Let’s face it; not everyone has 90 minutes to work out every morning, afternoon, or night. We all have different schedules that allow us to be free at certain times of the day. Some people also require different levels of physical exercise than others. For instance, if you spend most of your day walking from one area to another, you are generally more active than those who sit behind a computer for long hours in a day.
It also boils down to your tolerance, fitness goals, and activeness. Some people swear by the 5 to 6 am jog, which leaves their hearts racing and gets them all psyched up for a long day. Others swear by the 8-9 am gym sessions, which awakens all their body organs and prepares them for a new start. Others wouldn’t dream of breaking a sweat before noon and prefer to do their jogging around the neighborhood a few minutes before or after dinner.
There is no scientific evidence that calories are burned off efficiently at specific times of the day. However, timing can influence how you feel after exercising. So, go with what works for you and stick to that routine for the best results.
Let’s now look at the different benefits of working out at specific times of the day.
Morning Workouts
Many people prefer to work out in the morning, as it helps build consistency. People who work out in the morning have fewer excuses for skipping the exercise. Research has also proven that working out on an empty stomach burns more fat than exercising after meals ( Note: can be any time of the day, so long as you're not full). It also makes you more productive and boosts your mood throughout the day.
Afternoon Workouts
Many people say their ideal fitness time would be between 12 and 4 pm if they weren’t so busy during these hours. Unfortunately, everyone is at work or at school. Working out in the afternoon can be the best time to exercise as your body is more flexible, active, mobile, and physically energetic. You also feel stronger to try different body movements. Unlike the morning workouts where your body is still stiff from waking up, exercising in the afternoon gets all your body active for muscle strength, power output, flexibility, and endurance.
Nighttime Workouts
Nighttime workouts also come with their perks, and many people find this time more convenient than the other two. Evening workouts can be effective if it’s the only time you have. However, you want to make sure that you work out a few hours before bed to allow your body to relax and find some sleep. Many people swear that nighttime workouts make them feel relaxed, fresh, and develop a good sleeping pattern. It's also easy to establish a routine.