When is the Best Time of Day to Exercise?

There’s a lot of conflicting information when it comes to the best time of the day to be exercising. Some sources say we should jump out of bed and head straight to the gym. Others say we should work out after at least two meals. So, how can we actually determine what the optimal time is to get our workout done?

The answer lies in your lifestyle and your preferences.

If you have a job that requires you to work in the early mornings, you might find that you don’t have time to squeeze in a workout before you head off to your shift. Conversely, if you work late evenings, your gym sessions may be best suited to the morning time. Your workout routines may have to change depending on your weekly rotations for those who work varying shift patterns. Luckily, you can easily adjust your workouts to suit your weekly schedule.

For example, you might usually head to the gym in the early mornings to get in some resistance training and cardiovascular work. However, if your boss asks you to come in earlier one week, you can simply switch up your workouts to train after work. It might be easiest to take your gym gear with you in your work bag so you can get changed and head to the gym as soon as you clock out of the office.

Of course, you must also take into account your preferences. Do you prefer to get straight into your workout as soon as you get out of bed? Does this wake you up and provide you with some much-needed energy for the day? Or do you prefer to relax in the mornings and enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast before heading to the gym? This is an important consideration because going to the gym at the time of day that feels best for you will make it easier to stay consistent with your workout routine. If you hate exercising in the mornings, yet you force yourself to do so, you’re probably not going to have a great workout. Powering through a workout that leaves you feeling tired and sluggish is a poor habit to fall into and might lead you to skip your workouts altogether.

It might take a bit of trial and error when it comes to figuring out what time of the day is going to work well for you when it comes to working out. Try exercising in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, and see when you feel the most energetic and motivated. Choosing the right time of day will lead to better results and significant improvements in your fitness levels.

Ultimately, the best time of the day to exercise is the time that you can! It’s the time that works best for you, one that fits into your schedule and suits your preferences. This is going to be different for everyone, so make sure you find the time that you feel most energized and ready to smash your workouts.