Whether you like a morning wake-up call, an afternoon delight, or a nightcap before bed, the “best” time of day to exercise really comes down to one thing: YOU. There are countless articles and studies about “the best time of day to workout.” With half the camp on the morning side and the other half on the later in the afternoon/evening side, it’s hard to know which one to believe. And while they both have research to support their arguments, the one thing most people can agree on, is the best time of day to exercise is the time you are most likely to make it a regular, consistent part of your life.
Benefits of Mornings
Yeah, yeah … I hear it all the time: “But it’s just too hard to get out of bed in the morning.” If you are just beginning a workout program or are able to adjust your current schedule to accommodate the morning hours, you might want to consider getting up an hour earlier and sweating it out before you get on with your day. The physical and mental benefits are endless and once you make it a habit, you will look forward to getting out of bed and starting your day this way.
But before you hop on the morning bandwagon, take some time to come up with a plan of attack so you don’t end up sabotaging your plan before you even start. Simple things like laying your clothes out the night before, having your work clothes and bags ready to go, putting your alarm clock as far away from your bed as possible, and even sleeping in your workout clothes, can all make the difference between getting it done or staying in bed.
1. A Revved-up Metabolism
The benefits of exercising in the morning linger throughout the day as you continue to burn calories even after the workout is done
2. Less Stress at Work
If you are someone who wakes up with headaches, a clenched jaw and anxiety because you’re already thinking about work, then sweating it out before you punch the clock is a great way to clear your mind and alleviate extra stress.
3. Improved Energy
Studies have shown that exercise significantly increases mental acuity, so if you workout in the morning, you take advantage of this extra alertness and focus for the rest of the day
4. Less Crowded
Most gyms and fitness centers report peak user times as 5 to 8pm. Therefore, gyms and the outdoors are usually less crowded during the morning hours because people want to get in and out ASAP.
5. It’s Not That Much Earlier
If you workout at home or outdoors by running, walking, or biking, sometimes all you need is an extra 30-45 minutes in the morning to get your exercise in.
6. Fewer Scheduling Conflicts
Think about how many times you forgo your workout later in the day because you keep thinking about all of the other things you need to do. Exercising in the morning eliminates the excuses.
7. Better Food Choices During the Day
People who exercise in the morning tend to make healthier choices throughout the day to complement the hard work they’ve already done.