When is the best time of the day to exercise?

Question

I would like to start my diet now all the goodies from christmas has now all gone and I have started to replace with healthy foods and now I am going to start a regular fitness regime but when is the best time of the day to exercise?

Answer 1

It makes no difference ie and hour in the morning is not "better" or more effective than an hour in the evening. The best time is the one which suits your routine;

Answer 2

This will depend on your daily routine - if you have to get out of the house to go to work very early, you can't do much exercising in the morning can you? It also depends on whether you're naturally more active in the morning or evening. Personally I find early morning is best (I have the time!) so that I know it's done and out of the way - otherwise I may not fit it in any other time and may only feel like resting after a hard day's work. But I don't think it really matters what time of day, as long as it's a time that suits YOU! If you force yourself to exercise at a time which isn't convenient or you don't feel like, then you're not going to get positive results and you'll end up stressed and resenting the time it takes.

Answer 3

I go to the gym after work as I figure I am burning off the days calories that way. Its also great for releasing tension after a hard day. Having said that sometimes I go and just laze around in the sauna which has the same effect.

Answer 4

Huggywell and Janna have the right idea and their answers are good but if you are a person that has full control of their daily routine and can choose when to workout then read on:

Life as we know it largely depends upon cycles. Our planet has its own yearly cycle during which it makes a complete revolution around the sun, Events that take place repeatedly over a 24hr period are called circadian cycles, and the ebb and flow of our internal body chemistry is known as your circadian rhythm.
The cycles of light and dark that result from the movements of the sun and planets affect nearly all living creatures.

Cortisol Release - Stress Hormone
Whenever light stimulates your skin or eyes regardless of the source, your brain and hormonal system think it is morning, in response to this your body releases cortisol. This activates the body and prepares it for movement, work and whatever else is necessary for survival!

Light = Cortisol release = daytime activities

Natural sleep/wake cycles
Stress activating hormones, such as cortisol are produced as the sun rises and peak at around mid-morning (6-9am). They then drop a little but remain high through until midday. As the day progresses, the levels of stress hormones decrease, dropping significantly in the afternoon, especially when the sun goes down. This drop in cortisol now allows the body to begin its increased production of melatonin and levels of growth and repair hormones. If we follow our natural cycle we start winding down as the sunsets and should fall asleep around 10pm! Physical repairs mostly take place when the body is asleep, between 10pm and 2am. After 2am the immune and repair energies are more focused on psychogenic, (mental) repair, which lasts until we awaken.

( So if you workout to late it may disrupt your sleep cycle, working out at anytime is possible but you may have a more productive workout if it is done earlier and the other important things such as diet 7 lifestyle are in order. So there is no point doing this if you then go out drinking smoking and get to bed at 3 in the morning)

I hope you understand and it answers your question

Answer 5

First thing in the morning is the time I work out.
It's a great way to start the day, I seem to have more energy and I am less hungry through the day.
Good Luck.

Answer 6

The best time would be the beginning of the day,
but if u cant manage, just exercise any time u want , it will always be useful no matter what !

Answer 7

not at the begining of the day, bec that is when your heart beat will increase dramatically. all who have hypertension have it high in the mornings. the best time is after work hours in the evening. after exercise have a bath and then dinner and you will also be able to sleep like a log!

Answer 8

If you want to slim them the morning is better, it will burn off fat directly as you havent loaded with carbs or calories. I dont really care about my weight, only fitness so i train after work it keeps me healthy and relaxes me also makes for a better sleep!

However if i dont go straight to the gym after work i cant motivate myself after that!

Also training with a friend help the most!

Hope that helps

Good luck

Answer 9

At the beginning of the day,, as it raises your metabloic rate and energy for longer. If you leave it too late it can prevent you from sleeping well

Answer 10

in the morning that way you are ready for the day ahead...