What's the best Time of Day to Exercise? it's not when you think

Some people take a 6 a.m. to swear jogging to race their souls, and psyching them up for the day. Others wouldn't dream of shedding a sweat before noon, preferring after dinner to go walking around the neighborhood. What is the best time to exercise at any one time of day?

The fact is there is no credible evidence to show that at other times of the day, calories are consumed more effectively. But the time of day may affect how you feel when you exercise.

Experts say the most important thing is to pick a time of day in which you can stick, so that exercise is a routine.

So let's find out:

  What's the best exercise time of the day?

The circadian rhythm of your body decides whether you're an early bird or a night owl and there's not anything you can do to change it.

Circadian rhythm is regulated by the Earth's 24-hour rotation cycle. Such rhythms affect body functions such as blood pressure, body temperature, levels of hormones, and heart rate, both of which play a role in the exercise readiness of the body.

It could seem like a smart idea to use your body clock as a guide when to go for a walk or hit the gym. Yet there are of course other essential factors, such as family and job schedules, or the availability of a partner to stroll with you.

Benefits of exercising in the morning

When you have consistency issues, experts suggest morning can be your best time to exercise.

First of all, before you even start your day, you can have your workout finished and over with. That means you're going to start your day with endorphins, and feel good knowing you've accomplished something before 9 a.m, for some people may not achieve all day. And this is a huge boost to the ego.

Evidence shows that people who work out in the morning appear to do well in terms of a regular daily pattern. Additional advantages of hitting the gym in the morning include improved metabolism, which ensures that you can tend to lose calories during the day because you eat calories rather than at night as you sleep.

Other grounds for workout sessions?

Studies say you could risk your sleep by reviving your exercise routine in the evening. Exercising increases your body temperature and heart rate. That means evening sweat sessions could hamper your ability to get some quality sleep.

Another argument which makes the case for a morning workout is that exercising on an empty belly could burn more fat. When entering the gym with an empty stomach, exercisers will lose up to 20 percent more body fat. This is a challenge that's much more achievable in the morning, before breakfast, than after.

Benefits of afternoon exercise

While the morning certainly seems to be an ideal time to work out, fitting in afternoon exercise or after hours has its proven benefits. Planning an evening workout could mean you'll get some extra morning sleep. Yet there are other advantages too!

One element supporting a later workout is the core temperature of your body. Your body temperature usually increases during the day, so muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance could increase late in the afternoon

Besides, oxygen absorption kinetics are faster in the evening, meaning you are using your energy more slowly and efficiently than in the morning. Working out in the morning could also involve adding an extra warm-up to your schedule, which might take away from your exercise concentration.

Levels of hormones also play a role in determining optimum workout time. Testosterone is essential to all genders for muscle growth and strength, as well as stamina.

During late afternoon resistance training, the body can produce more testosterone than it does during morning workouts. Besides, the stress hormone cortisol, which helps to retain fat and reduce muscle tissue, increases in the morning and decreases during daytime exercise.

The best time to exercise depends on you

While science and research seem contradictory, one thing is clear: it is important to work out, regardless of the time of day as your body will get used to regular gym time.

What's most important is that you find a time of day that works for you and suits your timetable, and then commit to it. By maintaining your fitness routine consistent every day at the same time, you might be making more gains in training.