There is a longstanding debate over the optimum time for training. While some swear by the early morning workout to kick start their day, others wouldn’t dream of breaking a sweat before noon.
But is any one time of day the best time to exercise? What time would be best for you? Is it a one-size-fits-all thing? The truth is that it all depends on you.
Benefits of morning workouts:
● While you sleep, antioxidants repair cellular damage and digest food to convert into glucose. In the morning, you’re using a fresh and repaired body from muscle regeneration during sleep.
● Morning training can boost your energy for the rest of the day.
● It can jump-start your metabolism, with the thermal effect lasting at least four hours afterwards to increase total calorie expenditure throughout your day.
● The thermal effect of exercise is the same at any time of day – training up to three hours before your bedtime can disrupt the body’s circadian clock and may affect your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
● Many fat burners contain key potent antioxidant ingredients that work best when consumed on an empty stomach first thing in the morning to help kick start your metabolism for the day.
Benefits of evening workouts:
● Muscle strength is dependent on the muscle’s ability to stretch. Later in the day, your body is more warmed up and this results in the ability to work out longer and lift heavier weights and decreases your chance of injury.
● Synovial fluids fill your joints and act as cushioning and lubrication. You may notice your joints feeling less stiff as the day goes on as they are warmed up allowing for more flexibility in movement.
● The calories you consume throughout the day are the perfect fuel for an evening workout. (This is considering you have had proper meals throughout the day.)
● An early morning workout may wear you out for the rest of the day, whereas an evening working may fit in better for your type of lifestyle.
What do you prefer?
The truth is there is no concrete evidence to suggest that calories are burned more efficiently at certain times of day – but the time of day can influence how you feel when exercising.
The most important thing, experts say, is to choose a time of day you can stick with, so that exercise becomes a good habit.
