Best Time Of The Day To Exercise To Stay Fit
To stay fit and healthy it is very important to exercise. However, most people are not aware of the best time of the day to exercise. Some prefer working out in the morning, some at noon whereas others at night. Let’s see the pros and cons of exercising at different times of the day so that you can choose what suits you best!
Exercising in the morning
The early birds prefer to exercise in the morning. Research says that if your aim is to lose fat, the best time of the day to exercise is in the morning prior to breakfast.
Experts explain that in the morning, the body would have run out of carbs or sugars and hence turns to the stored fat for fuel. The body releases a substance in order to turn on the fat cells to release fat.
However, there are some people who cannot work out on an empty stomach. For such people, it is advised to begin the day with a small snack and then start exercising. It is also recommended that you wait for a minimum of 15 mins before having your breakfast.
According to studies, it is said that early exercisers have more chances of sticking to the routine than the ones who leave a workout for the afternoon or evening.
In another study, it has been found out that by exercising in the morning, your mood gets enhanced 30 percent more when compared to evening workouts.
Waking up early and staying active can help in increasing your physical energy levels and help you stay mentally alert for the rest of the day.
The major con with exercising first thing in the morning is that the body temperature is quite low after you wake up and that naturally brings down your energy levels and blood flow. It is essential that you warm up well or else you might suffer an injury while working out.
Exercising in the afternoon
Working out at lunchtime is a great option if you know the art of putting time aside for yourself. You will be able to stay alert and awake and your muscles will already be warmed up, leaving lesser chances of getting injured. Moreover, you can get a workout buddy – a colleague or a friend. This way you will get the motivation to exercise regularly and make it a fun-filled activity.
Also, if you exercise in the middle of the day, your daily stress can get reduced and your blood flow to the brain improves. This makes you better prepared for the afternoon duties. Plus, exercising in the middle of the day can make you mindful of your eating habits.
Time is the only constraint in afternoon workouts as you might not get the permission to do a full-fledged workout in office. However, if you are lucky enough to work from home, there are chances that you can allot some time for fitness.
Exercising in the evening
The evening can be the best time of the day to exercise if your aim is to gain muscle mass. Exercising in the evening can help you gain strength and this is why strength trainers (weight-lifters) train later in the day. Experts say that by evening, the muscles get warmed up and certain hormones get released that are required for a muscle-resistance workout.
Exercising in the evening can help you regulate the quantity of food you consume for dinner. It works well for you as you won’t gorge at the dinner table and be able to keep your calorie intake in check. Evening workouts can also be a wonderful stress reliever after spending a busy day at the office.
However, some studies reveal that such intense and vigorous workout late in the evening can affect your sleep. The body temperature rises and hormone activity gets increased that can interfere with your sleep. So, it is best advised that you exercise at least 1-3 hours before going to sleep. You can find out if evening workout is suitable for you or not by trying it out in the evening once.
The best time of the day to exercise
What is more important than the time of the day you choose for exercising is the fact whether you are exercising or not! The main thing is that you should exercise, the rest is not important. Anytime is right and what fits into your routine is the best! So, go ahead and workout without worrying about the best time of the day to exercise.