For many, it is one of the often asked dilemmas in fitness: When is the best time to work out? Some will extoll the virtues of the early bird getting the worm or the best workout of the day, while others will do their best work only after the sun has gone down. According to science, while our bodies do have natural rhythms of the best time, it is actually a combination of biological signals and lifestyle reality.
Morning for Consistency
Studies have shown that most people who make it a habit to exercise in the morning are most likely to stick to exercise for years. Early sessions keep you away from the distractions, work meetings, or fatigue by the end of the day.
Afternoon Strength Peak
During the time between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM, body temperature is highest. Heavy-duty lifting or intensive sport is virtually the best time because muscles are supple and the reaction time is often swiftest.
Morning for Fat-burning
Exercise on empty (before breakfast), it is said, allows for a higher percentage of fat combustion as the body sins down fuel for weight-loss purposes. Depending on energy levels, though, such an approach can hardly be termed beneficial if energy levels are low without food.
Afternoon for Injury Prevention
Since body temperature peaks in the afternoon, one’s muscles and joints will be ‘warmed up’ to avoid the risk of strains and injuries compared to early morning exercises when the body is usually stiff due to sleep.
Evening for Stress Release
A workout after coming from the office is a great vent and a good way to decompress. It provides that momentary ‘mental reset’ going from work mode to home mode.
Let’s Check Your Chronotype
Are you a ‘lion’ (getting up early) or an ‘owl’ (a night person)? This is part of your DNA which plays a big role in knowing when you will be at your highest energy level. Forcing an early workout on a natural night person will probably not yield the best performance during the workout.
Morning for Mood Lift
The release of endorphins with morning workouts will keep the individual in positive spirits throughout the day. It can be a wonderful tool for anxiety management and gives the start of the day a productive feel to it.
Evening for muscle gains
Some research has been shown that slightly more favorable conditions regarding protein synthesis and hormonal levels related to muscle growth are in the late afternoon and early evening; thus, making this an ideal time when bodybuilders train.
Beware of Late Night Workouts
While evening exercise is good, it becomes bad the moment it is done too close before sleep (within two hours) since it raises core temperature and adrenaline levels in some people, which can lead to difficulty sleeping.
Lunch Break Cardio Importance
A brisk walk of about 20 minutes or a hit at the gym may otherwise break up the sedentary workday, increase blood flow to the brain, and stave off that dreadful 3:00 energy bombardment.
Consistency Is More Important than Timing.
At the end of the day, the differences between morning and evening in terms of biological differences are quite negligible. Thus, the best time to exercise is at a point-in-time that can be committed to doing so every single day. Thus, a 6:00 PM workout can be done better than skipping a 6:00 AM one.
