What is the best time of day for jogging/biking for cardio fitness?

Question

For a person who wakes in the morning, workes during the day and sleeps at night what time of day is most beneficial?

Answer 1

I like to do mine at night so I can sleep better.

Answer 2

If you want to maximize your weight loss, the morning is best. If you work out before you've eaten, you'll use more of your fat for energy, instead of burning glycogen stores first, then, when that runs ,start burning fat. (scientifically proven)

But the trick that most people don't tell you is you have to keep your heart rate at a certain range (for fat loss). This should be around 70-75% of your max heart rate. (221 - X= max hear rate , X=your age). If you don't have a hear rate monitor (which you can pick a basic one up for $25), then do the talk test. If you're able to talk easily, then not enough. If you can't talk because you're breathing too hard, then too much. Somewhere in between, where you have to catch your breath every 2-3 words is perfect.

Now as for mood uplifting, definitely worth doing in the morning. I don't know about you, but after a run in a morning my day goes by better. Easier. Relaxed. As if I wait until night to do so, my day is normal or uptight, depending on situations.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Frankly, for most patients the issue is not the time of day but simply getting enough exercise in the first place, so I emphasize finding the time that will work the best. Any exercise is better than none.

A second factor might be your energy level at different times of day. If you are a “morning person”, you might do best at that time rather than later. Many people have job or family constraints. You might be able to get away for a brisk walk or a trip to the gym at lunch but not in the evening. There are other considerations. As the weather warms up, for example, a workout in the early morning or evening may be more practical than mid-day.

Assuming you have the luxury of choosing your time and no time is much better than another, let me mention what I was able to find on the choice of times. There does not seem to be a clear answer but rather a range of opinions. One argument is that by exercising in the morning, you increase your metabolism during the day. Another is that your muscles warm up as the day goes on and that you can do more exercise in the afternoon or evening with less risk of injury.

Answer 4

My personal experience is by evening time after off duty. When I biking on the road home, I feel light and gay, looking arround all the way, seeing what I shall take away with me as I always feel good appetite. I relax my neck, arms and leg as a day's work a little fatigue. This is actually many years of my experience. Biking is very good exercise besides making you move along and quite soon arrive home! by the way, I wish to tell you I keep fit for more than 50 years. My weight is now is just what I was at 21 age, my waist is the same as I was at 21, and my weight is the same as I was at 21. I have no highbloos, nor stuff up heart tube. Thank God, Biking give me fitness. I very seldom eat pork but fish on each table. No liquor also, but smoke a LOT!!!

Answer 5

Early in the morning (for a good start to the day) or late in the afternoon are the best times (for a good de-stresser after a long day). Avoid exercising in the hottest part of the day.

Just make sure you have plenty of water before and after, and allow enough time to get some benefit from it, say, at least half an hour.

Take a shower when you're done!

I hope this helps.

Answer 6

Anytime that works for you. BUT and its a big but dont push till night becoze if you exercise then ur epinephrine (a hormone) levels will go up and you will suffer from insomnia that night.

If you are exercising to loose weight, then morning is your best shot- dont exercise early morning when you havent had anything to eat- by exercising in the morning you will maintain a high BMR (basic metabolic rate) throughout the day this means that even when u're done working out your body will keep burning fat at a higher rate.

If you (like me) needs to exercise early morning before going to work or school, I suggest drinking a little bit of juice and give it about 15 min then start your working. This way ur body has enough sugar to maintain heathly brain functioning and prevent fainting when you work out.

Hope that helps

Answer 7

The best time of day to exercise is the time that's most convenient, and that you'll stick to. Some people get a burst of energy after working out, so before bed is not a good time for them. Others get tired within a couple of hours, so after work is perfect.

Studies have been done, and early morning is typically agreed to be the best time because the fuel used for the energy required to run is all stored calories, whereas after work your body is burning food that you’ve eaten throughout the day, but the bottom line is that you’re still burning calories. If you burn stored calories and then eat, your body will store a portion of those new calories. If you eat, then burn that food, then your body can’t store those calories, and you will burn stored calories to exist the rest of the day. The net difference is very small.

The most important thing is that you exercise. If you’re not a morning person and you love to sleep late even if you go to bed early, then you will have a very hard time motivating yourself to get out of bed an hour or two before you really need to be up for work. If you are exhausted after work every day and look forward to nothing more than going home, sitting on the couch watching TV for 2 hours and then going to bed at 9:00, then you’ll find it too easy to excuse yourself from going after work. Go when you can go, and when you can make a commitment to yourself to keep going, and then keep that commitment that you made to yourself.

Good luck to you!

Answer 8

Here are a few tips. Try eating a healthy snack a few hours before dinner or filling up on water. You would not believe how many people mistake thirst for hunger. Your dinner should include some lean meats and veggies. Chicken, turkey, or any other meats without the skin or excess fat are good choices. Try to avoid white breads and non-whole wheat pasta. Fill up on veggies, but pass on the dipping sauce or dressing. They are just empty calories. A good after dinner snack would be a warm glass of milk, or even 100% whole grain bread with a tablespoon of organic peanut butter. The possibilities are endless. Let me know if you want to know anything else.

Answer 9

Hi, I read a lot of muscle and fitness, and the answer is cardio in the morning works best. It burns fat the best since there's no food/glycogen stored already (since you slept). Drink a bit of coffee (no sugar) and go running. Come back and eat something with protein. Or workout then protein and breakfast.


A good way to do cardio is HIIT training, which is High Intensity Interval Training, which burns fat quickly. By increasing your heart rate high for about a minute, slowing it down, then increasing it high again, it burns more calories/fat.

But anyways, any form of cardio is good for you, it increases metabolism and just makes you healthier in general.

Goodluck!

Answer 10

It has been said in multiple fitness magazines that the first four to five hours AFTER you wake up is the best time for cardio workouts...this is because cardio workouts are most beneficial when maintained at high velocity for periods of time...Those first four to five hours after you wake up is when your body is the most rested, energetic, and ready to go.

Answer 11

I'd go for jogging in the morning and "light" jogging at the end of the day. This will help endurance and cardio. Just remember, stretch before and after exercising, it's all about breathe control, and always be hydrated.