Is there a Best Time of Day to Workout?
Is there a best time of day to work out? If you chat with any of our FitnGlam personal trainers about it, they’ll tell you that the best time to exercise is whenever you can fit it in. After all, just a little bit of exercise is better than none at all. Still, if you’ve ever wondered if there’s an optimal time to reap the rewards of working up a sweat, you might be interested to learn what science has to say about it.
Mornings pack a punch
Not everyone springs out of bed ready to pull on their trainers but if that’s you or you can muster up the energy, you’ll find working out in the morning on an empty stomach can give you an edge. Why? In the morning, your body has a particular hormonal profile that sets you up to be better at burning fat. As your cortisol and human growth hormone levels will be naturally elevated when you wake up, it will cause your body to draw on your stored fat reserves for energy – even more so if you exercise on an empty stomach.
If you’re not naturally prone to rising and shining in the gym, consider pushing yourself to do it for a week or so. Studies have shown that if you create the habit, it can naturally adjust your body clock, to the point where it becomes second nature. Also, due to its stress-reducing benefits and energising effect, a morning workout can set you up for a happier, more productive day.
An afternoon session beats the midday slump
If your mornings are too rushed or if you find your battery starts to fade as the hours pass by, a lunchtime power session might be your perfect solution. Breaking up your workday with even 30 minutes of exercise can give you a burst of energy and refresh your focus.
Another reason why the afternoon could suit you best? Studies show that your body temperature and muscle function peak in the afternoon, making this an ideal time for strength training or high-intensity workouts. If you’re focused on building muscle, or simply not a morning person, consider nipping in for a little treadmill time on your lunch break or enjoy one of our afternoon HIIT classes. You’ll leave with elevated energy levels and feel ready to power through the rest of your day.
There’s nothing wrong with exercising at night
You might have the same amount of hours in the day as Beyonce, but when you’re busy, you’re busy. Many people only get the time to exercise after work or late at night, but that still comes with perks. Exercising at night can help reduce your body’s ghrelin production over time. Ghrelin is the “hunger hormone” that stimulates your appetite and keeping that in check could translate to consuming fewer calories the following day.
Worried about how burning the midnight oil could affect your pillow time? For many years, it was believed that exercising at night could mess with your circadian rhythms and make it more difficult for you to fall asleep. However, new studies have shown that nighttime workouts don’t interfere with sleep. Better yet, if you opt for one of our more relaxing mind and body-focused evening classes, like Gentle Flow Yoga or Yin Yoga, you’ll leave feeling so relaxed that you’ll get to enjoy a deeper and more restorative sleep.
The bottom line? At FitnGlam, it’s always exercise o’clock!