What is the Best Time to Exercise? Morning, Afternoon or Evening?

While experts agree that exercising in either the morning or the evening is better than no exercise at all, it seems that exercising in the middle of the day might be the best time to squeeze in a workout. Although it might not always be practical to go and exercise on your lunch break, it seems that our bodies are at their peak in the afternoon. This means that we are at our strongest and most flexible as our bodies have been warmed up from all our morning activities.

Despite the fact that working out in the afternoon might be the most efficient time to exercise, it might not always be the most practical. Those of us who have committed to a morning, afternoon, or evening routine know that each has its own benefits.

Benefits of a Morning Workout

• Pay yourself first – this principle works for financial success and your health. A morning workout sets the tone for your day.

• If you start your day with a workout, you won’t have to worry about fitting one into your schedule later in the evening.

• A morning workout will increase your mental alertness and sharpness and set you up for an energetic start to the day.

• Working out in the morning increases your metabolism throughout the day.

Benefits of an Afternoon Workout

• You are at your peak of physical strength and alertness. The best workouts tend to give the best results.

• Working out in the afternoon will leave your evening free and will leave you energized and alert for the rest of the day.

• Perfect for those who want to get their workout out of the way, but hate early mornings.

Benefits of an Evening Workout

• Offers you an outlet to work off all the stress that you have built up during the day.

• You can work off your dinner, which will prevent your body from storing your meal as fat.

• A moderate dose of aerobic exercise in the evening, or two hours before bedtime, can cut the time you need to fall asleep and can improve the quality of sleep.

Whatever your schedule is, the most important thing is that you make time for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five to seven days a week. This will go a long way to improving your health, increasing your cardiovascular fitness and managing your weight.