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Do you ever wonder what the best time of day to exercise is and if your current workout schedule takes place at the right time? They say the early bird gets the worm but that may not always be the case when it comes to fitness.
There is no mutually agreed upon time that everyone should be working out. Any workout at any time of day is great. Moving your body and staying fit does not have a time frame!
Choosing the best time of day should be determined by your individual routine and what feels best for your body.
But if you still need some help deciding on what time of the day might be best, let’s have a look at the pros and cons of both times!
Morning
Working out early in the morning, whether it be heading to the gym or going for a run, is a great time to get your body moving. You get to start your day by moving your body, getting your workout done bright and early and heading into the rest of your day feeling motivated.
Pros:
- Boosts your energy and mood: Did you know the body releases endorphins when you work out? Starting the day with a workout can help set you up with a positive and happy mindset for the rest of your day.
- Healthy sleep habits: When you work out in the morning, its likely you’ll be waking up a bit earlier to fit it into your schedule. Combine this with going to bed earlier to ensure you still are getting the recommended amount of sleep, and you’ll help improve your bodies circadian rhythm leading to a better sleep each night.
- Establish routine and consistency: Waking up at the same time each morning can help you create a good routine in your day. Working out in the morning before you head off to class or work for example, can help you remain consistent.
Cons:
- Breakfast: Exercising so early can make it hard to find the right time to have your most important meal of the day. Some people may work out on an empty stomach, but this can make it hard to fulfil any high intensity workouts to your best potential as you may be low on energy.
- Time poor: Opting to work out in the mornings may lead to a bit of rushing around if you’ve got other, regular commitments such as a uni class, lecture, work, or an internship.
- Longer to warm up: Your muscles and body temperature are quite cool in the mornings, so going straight from your bed to the gym may mean your body is not quite warmed up yet which can make you more susceptible to any injuries during your workouts.
Afternoon/Evening
Not convinced a morning workout is quite right for you? Perhaps later in the day, whether afternoon or evening, could be more your style.
Pros:
- Unwind from the day: Ending the day by working out is a great way to relieve stress and unwind. Especially if you’ve had a big day studying!
- Better body performance: In the afternoon your body’s temperature, muscle function and endurance peak. Reaction times also peak in the latter half of the day, making you more alert and aware. This makes afternoon a good time for any higher intensity workouts.
- Flexibility: Barring any commitments or closing times, an afternoon or evening work out is generally free of any time burdens. Meaning you can exercise without watching the clock.
Cons:
- Busy gyms: This time of the day is popular for working out, so gyms tend to be a lot busier. And whilst this will vary between locations, you may spend longer waiting on a turn to use any of the equipment.
- Harder to fall asleep: Working out in the evening in particular may exhaust some, making it easier to go to sleep. But it can also make it difficult to fall asleep after an adrenaline filled work out. It’s recommended that lower intensity workouts, like yoga, be kept for those night time sessions as opposed to anything too extreme.
- Can’t be bothered: After a full-on day, it is possible you may feel too tired and/or exhausted to work out come evening time, so you’ll opt not to instead. Additionally, if you work quite a laborious job, or are required to be on your feet a lot for a class, you may feel that your body is too sore.
Whatever the time of day you find is best for yourself, Curtin Sport and Recreation offer great fitness classes that run at varying times of the day. No matter when your class or lecture is, you can find a time to exercise that works for you!
This article was written by digital & social media and journalism student, Hayley Dodds.
