One question many people often ask themselves as they embark on their workout routine is: when is the best time to exercise? You’re excited to start your new fitness plan, whether your goal is to lose fat or build muscle, and you want to ensure you’re doing everything possible to achieve fast results.
You’ve lined up your exercises, know how many reps and sets to perform for each, and plan to keep your rest periods short to maximize metabolic benefits from each session.
But now, you need to answer the question: ‘when?’ What time of day is best for your workout to see maximum results? Do morning workouts significantly outweigh evening sessions in terms of benefits?
Or would you be better off hitting the gym after work?
Let’s take a closer look at this question so you can understand when the best time is for you to hit the gym.
Your Own Personal Preferences
The first and most important factor to consider is your personal preference for exercising. If you don’t see yourself as a morning person, forcing yourself to wake up early for the gym likely won’t be successful.
You might manage it for a few days when your motivation is high, but as time goes on, the comfort of your warm bed will be hard to resist. The snooze button may become more familiar than your running shoes, leading to missed workouts.
On the other hand, some people thrive on morning workouts. They find it easy to get out of bed and look forward to starting their day on the right foot.
If you can become a ‘morning workout lover,’ you’ll often find it easier to stick to a workout plan. Since you’ll complete your workout before other obligations arise, there’s a lower chance of skipping it.
The Metabolic Boosting Factor
Next, consider the metabolic boost that exercise provides. You’ll see an increase in metabolism immediately after your workout—how much depends on the type, intensity, and duration of your exercise.
By working out in the morning, you gain this metabolic boost throughout the entire day, rather than just before going to bed.
Thus, morning workouts have an edge over evening ones. However, remember that this metabolic boost is only beneficial if you actually complete the workout.
Considering the Diet Element
Another crucial factor to consider is nutrition. If you plan to do an intense weightlifting session, consuming some protein and carbohydrates before your workout is essential.
If the thought of eating first thing in the morning is unappealing to you, this could pose a challenge.
Conversely, if you work out later in the evening, you’ll have ample glucose stored in your muscles from earlier meals, along with a pool of amino acids available for your workout.
This gives an advantage to those who prefer lunchtime or evening workouts, enhancing the benefits you’ll experience during those times.
You can mitigate morning nutrition challenges by having a pre-workout shake. However, if you drink the shake and immediately start your workout, the nutrients might not reach your muscles in time, making the initial part of your session less optimal.
The Body’s Natural Physiology
Finally, consider the body’s natural physiology. While there are exceptions, most people find they can generate more force later in the afternoon or evening, leading to better results in strength training.
In the morning, your central nervous system (CNS) may still be sluggish from sleep, and since the CNS is crucial for force generation, this can hinder your performance.
For this reason, if you choose to work out in the morning, it’s often better to focus on cardiovascular training first, reserving strength training for later in the day. This approach can enhance your progress.
So there you have several key factors to consider when determining the best time for your workouts. Each time of day has its pros and cons, so first, decide when you feel your best and are most likely to stick with your plan.
When you feel good going into your workout, you’ll put in a much higher effort. Choose your workout time wisely—it will significantly influence your success.
