Have you ever wondered if there’s a best time of day to exercise for maximum results?
According to a recent study, there is! 🙌🥳
According to a study published in the Journal of Frontiers in Physiology, the time of day you exercise impacts your body differently depending on your gender and the type of exercise that you do.
Just a caveat: this study was conducted on a very small number of people and was carried out by a company that sells Sports supplements. Take it with a pinch of salt, but nevertheless, the findings are interesting.
The study found that, for women especially, exercising first thing in the morning, i.e. between 6 and 8 AM results in greater fat loss from around the waist and also lower blood pressure. In addition to this, exercising first thing in the morning allowed these women to gain greater lower body strength.
On the other hand, men who exercised in the evening, i.e. between 630 and 830 PM, reported lower blood pressure, while both men and women reported increased muscular performance and endurance after evening exercise. Women also experienced greater upper body strength as well as less hunger and better mood overall.
So, is AM the best time of day to exercise? Or is it PM?
Depending on your fitness goals, you may want to pay attention to the time of day that you exercise so you can get the most out of your workouts. This is important for women over 40 and well into their 50s because we can only exercise so much before it becomes counterproductive.
Of course, none of this means that you have to stick to one or the other because, ultimately, the best time to exercise is the best time that works for you.
Consistency trumps everything else when it comes to sports, weight loss and general fitness.
Morning workouts
Having said that, if you’re a woman and you want to lose fat, especially from around your waist, you may want to make the time to exercise first thing in the morning because we now know that’s going to be the best time to achieve these results.
Your workout could be anything from a brisk walk, a yoga session, weight lifting… literally, anything that is accessible to you.
For some people, exercising in the morning can set a positive tone for the rest of the day, boosting mood and energy levels. It’s also easier to stick with, as fewer things tend to interfere with your morning workouts making them more effective.
Another benefit of working out in the morning is that it helps to improve focus, which is great news if you have a lot of tasks or responsibilities to tackle during the day.
Some people find that working out in the morning helps them sleep better at night. Exercise can help regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, which can lead to more restful sleep.
If you are a man or a woman wanting to lower your blood pressure, you may want to choose evening exercise so you can get stronger and improve your sports performance. For some, exercising later in the day aligns better with their circadian rhythms, potentially leading to better results.
Consider incorporating strength training or high intensity interval trainings (HIIT) into your evening routines but don’t forget to do something relaxing after your workout.
In fact, even vigorous exercise can be a great way to relieve stress and unwind after a long day.
Whatever you choose, remember that any exercise is better than no exercise regardless of the time of day.
Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, the most important thing is that you keep moving and stay active at all times.
Your body will thank you for it!
If you need help creating your perfect workout schedule taking into account the best time of day to exercise for you, I’ve got just what you need!
My Super Simple Fitness Planner is designed to help you track only what matters to measure your progress without spending hours each week ticking boxes and writing essays about the meaning of life.
There are 2 versions available:
- a paperback version available to purchase from Lulu.com
- an e-version available for immediate download 👇