What Is the Best Time to Work Out
Have you every wondered what is the best time to work out during the day? Did you know the actual time of day you exercise is important if you are looking to maximize your health benefits? A regular exercise program helps boost heart health and maintain a healthy weight, and can even cut your odds of contracting type II diabetes. And by exercising in the morning as opposed to the evening or the middle of the day, you create a positive health routine that delivers multiple benefits beyond the physical.
Research has shown that those who exercise in the morning rather than at the end of the day tend to be more dedicated and consistent. When you think about it, it just makes sense. At the end of a long, hard and busy day, it is very easy to make excuses about skipping a daily workout session. Working out when you are fresh in the morning means sticking to this healthy routine.
You have fewer problems scheduling your workout sessions in the morning than at any other time of the day. Throughout a typical day, you are working busily in the home or at the office, and you may have several responsibilities involving your children. But when you schedule regular exercise in the morning, you can avoid any such scheduling conflicts.
I know once my day gets going, it’s tough to stop and get in exercise. This is one of my reasons I don’t think I’ve been very successful at keeping with a workout routine. So I’m changing that this week and am going to start moving in the morning!
The benefits of early morning exercise hang on throughout your day. Your body continues to burn calories for hours after exercise. That means that during the day, while you are consuming meals, your metabolism is boosted. This increases your calorie burn, and decreases your fat and weight retention.
Productivity is increased when you are alert. There is nothing like a good morning exercise program to get you going at the start of your day. And there are significant studies which show that once your endorphins get moving, your mental clarity can increase for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours after your exercise is over.
And although it sounds counter intuitive, exercising in the AM as opposed to the PM actually helps the quality of your sleep. Studies show that both women and men that exercise in the morning have healthier sleep patterns than those who exercise in the evening. This is probably because exercise is a stimulant. Exercise at night and your body has a harder time relaxing and allowing you to sleep peacefully.
When you choose to exercise regularly in the morning as opposed to some other time during your day, the benefits are plentiful and long-lasting. Better long-term results, fewer scheduling conflicts and improved productivity are just a few of the wonderful benefits you will enjoy when your early morning alarm wakes you to a regular AM workout program to start your day.
This article is a series of weekly health-focused posts as I work my way back to living healthy. Join me in my quest.
I have heard that the morning exercise is the best. Thank you for this article.
thank u for the info! Hey, do u have a morning routine? I know everyone is diff, although there are so many options out there and Ive NO idea where to begin. Been hearing a lot about crossfit.. Ive got a 4 yr old and a 5 yr old that needs to be up at 6:30 for school. So if I could be up by 5;30 and jump right into it, is there anything u recommend? HELP! im 36 and my bones aren’t holding up to well and my back STINKS at life lol. I know stretching is a must, although NO idea where to go from there. Thank u so much even if u cant help! Love ur blogs and follow u everyday!
First, thanks for being such a wonderful follower, Vanessa. Second, I’m working on figuring out how to get my workout in… so I’m putting on my workout clothes, dropping off the kids at school and coming home right away to work out. If I put on “regular” clothes, it’s game over psychologically for me. And now that the weather is changing, I’m starting to hit the local trails in the area straight from getting them to school. My SIL actually gets up early and swears by it… but I think you need to figure out what works out best for you. I think that might work for me if I had an elliptical or something in the house.. but it’s just too hard to leave the house to workout before the kids need me in the morning. (Besides…. my boys get up around 5:30 every morning so there’s no beating them.) Try different things and let me know what works for you. I’ll certainly let everyone know how it’s going for me!
I totally agree that morning workouts are the best. You get it done and then there are no excuses and you keep going with the rest of your day 🙂
I was getting up at 5:30am and going to the gym for a few months. Every day that I went, I felt so much better for the rest of the day. It’s amazing how getting up and working out can do that for you. Now if I can just get back on track with it. 🙂
It’s easy to fall off the wagon, isn’t it, Ben? That’s certainly happened to me and then I have to convince myself to get back on track 🙂
We defiantly have a natural body clock, I am lucky in the fact that I am a natural early bird and love the mornings. I enjoy my morning runs and they do keep me invigorated all day, on mornings I don’t run my energy levels are definitely less.
I never workout in the evening as it leaves me buzzing and I really can’t sleep. I have a friend who is the total opposite and can do a full workout in the evening and still get a good nights sleep, she has always told me that I am doing it the right way by working out in the morning and your post has just confirmed that. Thank you!
I had not really thought about this before. It does make sense when I think about it. I have more energy in the morning and get tired as the day goes on. Great tips to think about.
Let me know if you switch up your routine and how it goes 🙂