What is the best time of day to work out?

What  is the best time of day to work out?

Finding time to exercise can be challenging, and the most important thing is to squeeze in any amount of it whenever you can. But if you want to optimize your workouts to get the widest range of benefits, you might want to try exercising in the morning.
Here’s what the science says about the best time of day to exercise — and what to expect if you opt for later workouts.

Morning workouts have an edge

Working out in the morning — especially on an empty stomach — is the best way to burn stored fat, making it ideal for weight loss. That’s largely because the body’s hormonal composition in the morning is set up to support that goal.
A morning sweat may also lead to better mental health and productivity throughout the day, since exercise is great for reducing stress.

Afternoon workouts are almost as good

If you can swing a lunchtime workout, it is a good second choice, especially if you’re trying to do a very long or rigorous routine.
Morning workouts are ideal for burning fat and losing weight, but afternoon workouts may give your performance a boost, since you’ll have eaten a meal or two by the time you get going.
An afternoon workout can also be a great way to avoid an end-of-the-day slump. The Journal of Physiology study found that exercising between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. can shift forward your body clock in the same way as an early morning workout. Even taking a quick walk may help you perk up and refocus.

Nighttime workouts still come with perks

For many people, exercising is most convenient after work. But there’s a common belief that evening exercise perks you up so much that it’s difficult to fall asleep later.
While the research about morning workouts and weight loss is more established, some evidence suggests that nighttime workouts can also set people up for weight loss. A 2019 paper published in the journal Experimental Physiology found that nighttime workouts do not disrupt sleep, and over time can also reduce levels of the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin, which could help with weight loss or management.

The bottom line

If he had to pick a best time to exercise, morning would win. Early workouts make the most of your biology and psychology, potentially leading to better results and adherence over time. But there’s really no bad time to exercise, and the most important thing is finding the time to do so, whenever works for you.
 

Sources: Time.com