Are you one of those people who never needs an alarm clock because you have no problem waking up at the crack of dawn, or one that would rather sleep happily until mid-morning if possible? Are you an early riser or a night owl? And when do you find it's best for you to exercise?
Weather you workout in the morning or in the evening, each exercise time offers multiple benefits for your body and schedule. We've put together a list to find out a few of the benefits of a morning workout and an evening one.
Advantages to working out in the morning
- Less distractions to get in the way. Morning might be the best time of day to workout if your days are hectic or unpredictable. Not to mention you will be more likely to hit the gym early, after a good night sleep, than you will be when you're exhausted after a long day at work.
- Avoiding crowds. In traffic and at the gym.
- Healthy domino effect throughout the day. Working out in the morning makes it easier to set the rest of the day on a healthy note. You will be more likely to start with a well balanced breakfast, setting you up for a day of healthy eating.
- Go be done with it! With a busy program and no free time, getting the workout done in the morning means you won't have to stress about rearranging your schedule to fit in a quick workout later in the day.
Advantages to working out in the evening
- Stress relief. When stress affects the brain, the rest of the body feels the impact as well. Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins—chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers—and also improve the ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress. Having your workout session after a long day at work can ease your stress levels helping you to get the relaxation much needed. Consistently working out in the evenings means you have a daily stress-buster after work.
- Better muscular function. As you go on with your day, your muscles loosen as you move around, your body temperature increases, and your entire body is more equipped to take on a workout. Not to mention you have more options for stronger workouts.
- Workout partner. It's easier to find someone willing to meet you for an evening workout rather than in the morning. And keep in mind that it helps to have a friend or a colleague who can keep you accountable.
- Availability. Evenings are the best time to workout for those who have children to send off to school and start work at an early hour.
So, most of us have some degree of preference for late nights or early mornings, while the rest of us fall somewhere in between the two. Before you choose your best time to work out, think about whether or not your schedule makes that time possible.
If you still have doubts about what works best for you, try both for a week and then evaluate which one brought the most consistency, happiness, and health into your life.
Feel free to tell us what time of day works best for you! And remember, consistency is key, so find the time that allows you to stick to it.
