Here’s a great question: Should you be working out in the morning or in the evening? The short answer: Yes.
Let’s jump into the long answer though. The best time to work out doesn’t need to be morning OR night, it’s all about consistency. Any time is a good time to workout, according to Steve Ball, Ph.D., associate professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Missouri. “My answer? Any time is a good time to exercise. Find the time that works best for your schedule keeping in mind that lifetime fitness is achieved through consistency, not through working out at the perfect time. If any physiological differences exist, they are minimal and don’t outweigh personal preference.”
Now we’ve cleared that up, let’s look at the benefits of each options.
Morning Workout
- Exercise will give you an energy boost, mentally and physically. Working out in the morning will warm your body up and release endorphins (which improve your mood). I can attest that on morning I skip my routine, I’m groggy and irritable. After a good workout, I’m focused and ready to take on the day.
- Morning routines are easier to keep consistent. Because we all know how life gets in the way. Afternoon happy hours have a way of derailing your post-work gym appointment.
- Gyms are less crowded in the morning. And you’ll spend less or no time waiting in line for your favorite machine. Many gyms’ peak hours are between 5 – 8pm.
Evening Workout
- Work away the stress from your day. Exercising released endorphins, which may be the recipe you need at the end of a tough day. You won’t feel frustrated after kicking butt at the gym, trust me.
- You’re more hydrated and eat healthier during the day, knowing you have a workout that evening. You’ll have all day to hydrate your body! The American Counsel on Exercise provides the following helpful hydration hints: Drink 17 to 20 ounces of water two hours before the start of exercise. Drink 7 to 10 ounces of fluid every 10 to 20 minutes during exercise. Drink 16 to 24 ounces of fluid for every pound of body weight lost after exercise.
- Your warm-up routine is shorter. Your body is already warmed up since you’ve been moving around all day. Of course, you should still stretch.
