Some people train in the morning, some others prefer training in the afternoon (and the rest don't train). But what is the best time of the day to workout?
In this post, we'll see the benefits of working out in the morning and afternoon, and conclude what the best time of the day to workout is.
Scroll down and enjoy the content!
Why should you Care About the Time of your Workout?
Your metabolism depends on the time of the day.
All your metabolic functions are controlled by the Circadian Clock. Depending on the time of the day, your metabolism will respond in a different manner to food, stress, or exercise.
Benefits of Working Out in the Morning
You may think… wtf am I doing working out in the morning?! That’s something early birds and nerds do!
Workout in the morning helps you start the day good
Working out in the morning is about starting the day with the right foot. Doing what you commited for, and getting the workout done as soon as you start your day.
If you are a busy person, putting the workout in the morning may be a great idea. It will help you make sure you get it done, so you can focus on other things the rest of the day
The more you postpone the workout, the more likely is you will skip because overlap with other appointments.
Workout in the morning helps you focus
How many time have you tried to study after going to the gym?
It seems like you retain all the information and your memory works faster than before.
Exercise stimulates brain hormones to improve brain function and cognitive performance (study)
Every time you workout, dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin and released in your brain (study).
Less risk of missing out on the workout
If you put the workout as first thing of the day, is very likely you’ll end up doing it.
If you put the workout as last thing of the day, is very likely you’ll end up missing it.
Working out in the morning can help you create commitment with your goals and keep up with your workout routine.
Workout on empty stomach
One of the worst feelings in life is to workout with full stomach.
Training heavy, stomach pain, and even farting along the way. If you want to avoid that, workout in the morning on your empty stomach.
Benefits of Working Out in the Afternoon
The afternoon is the choice of most people to put their workout on.
Is it better to workout in the afternoon?
You may have more energy
Body activity and energy is at its highest in the afternoon.
Putting the workout on that timeslot can help you with a bit more energy in your workout.
Workout in the afternoon can improve your performance
Your body’s ability to exercise improves as the day moves on (study).
The temperature of your body increases throughout the day. In the afternoon, your body temperature is at its best to perform exercise and produce energy.
Working out in the afternoon can become a social activity
Let’s be honest, not many people workout in the morning.
In the afternoon, you often see crowded gyms full of teenagers training together. For them, working out is a social activity. Rather than being outside with a couple beers or joints, they are there working out and improving their health.
Working out in the afternoon can become a social activity, which will help you adhere to the plan and keep it on the long term.
Does it Matter when You Workout?
There are different benefits on putting the workout in the morning, or afternoon.
It doesn’t matter when you train, but rather that you train.
More than the time, this is a of doing the workout you had planned
Whether you workout in the morning or afternoon will depend on your lifestyle and preferences
Who should workout in the morning?
Busy People
Busy people or people with a lot of obligations should workout in the morning.
If you workout in the morning while everyone’s still sleeping can give you more time to spend it with your friends, kids, or working on other projects or work.
If you are a busy person, you should definitely consider working out in the morning.
Commited and Determined People
Working out in the morning when everyone’s sleeping gives you more calm, silence, and space in the gym.
If you enjoy working out with your own music and in your bubble, go workout in the morning and don’t let anybody disturb you.
Who should workout in the afternoon?
Lazy People
Lazy people don’t want to ever get up from bed. For them, it’s going to be so hard to workout in the morning.
If you don’t like waking up early and going to the gym in the morning, working out in the afternoon is for you.
Social people
Do you like being with people all the time?! Go workout in the afternoon
Meet your friends, neighbours, or family in the gym. Workout witt them and enjoy some social time while still putting the workout you had planned
Conclusion
Your body functions change during the day. Depending on the time of the day you workout, there may be different benefits associated to it.
In this post, we’ve seen the different benefits of working out in the morning, or afternoon. But the reality is that it doesn’t matter when you train, as far as you train and adhere to a long term workout plan.
