When is the Best Time to Exercise?

Is it better to work out in the morning or in the evening?

To start, working out is better than not working out at all, regardless of the time of day. 

What does the research say about the optimal times to work out?

According to a New York Times article, research on mice found that workouts done in the morning compared to workouts later in the day, relied more on fat-burning rather than blood sugar to fuel the morning exercise.

When the mice ran in the evening, the fuel tended to be blood sugar. So, according to this recent study, it looks as though exercising in the morning contributes more to fat loss. Workouts later in the day are likely better for blood-sugar control.

There are other benefits and drawbacks to both morning and evening workouts; this according to a recent article in Forbes. Let’s look at a few of them.

Morning workout benefits:

  • Increased productivity and fewer distractions throughout the day
  • Decreased daytime sleepiness
  • Curbs appetite 
  • Improved mood, concentration, and sleep quality

Morning workout drawbacks:

  • Sacrificing sleep
  • Not enough time to eat – or eat properly
  • Not enough time to properly warm up/cool down

Evening workout benefits:

  • More time for a longer workout
  • De-stress after a work-day
  • Can improve sleep quality
  • Better results
  • More time to warm up

Evening workout drawbacks:

  • Working out right before bed can seriously disrupt sleep quality
  • Lack of motivation after a long day

If you’re a morning person, it may be best to workout in the morning. Find out which time of the day works best for you, and be consistent. You may even want to consider breaking up your workout time to 2 smaller workouts – once in the morning and then one at night.

What matters is that you find time to exercise and make an investment in your healthy future. When is the best time to exercise? The best time is one that fits you and your schedule! 

 

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