Training Time: Morning or Evening?
Does the early bird actually get the worm? It’s a question that has plagued exercise fanatics and athletes since spandex came into the scene. Serious competitors everywhere have asked themselves if it’s best to work out in the morning or afternoon.
First thing first – you are already winning!!
One thing is definite, you are already ahead of the game. Regular exercise has been proven to have a number of health benefits. From improving mental health, building more muscle mass, improving cardiovascular health and boosting the immune system. For me, the biggest benefit is the burning of excess calories (so I can eat an extra dessert).
Caution!!! Before you proceed…
As recommended by the Mayo Clinic, moderate physical activity is safe for most people. However, health experts suggest that you talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program especially if you have heart disease or if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Why the mornings?
I have seen countless posts on social media about Mark Wahlberg’s zero dark thirty workouts. If you have seen the video you will agree that this man is a machine. His schedule can be compared to a soldier in basic training. Each minute is spent with a purpose and focused on a specific goal. Unfortunately, for the rest of us, our situation doesn’t give us the opportunity to have a schedule like that.
However, Mark may be on to something. According to science, morning is the ideal time to exercise if you want to burn off stored fat. Your hormonal profile is primed for metabolizing fat resulting in optimal conditions to draw from fat reserves. This has been said before, but now they have scientific proof that working out in the morning on an empty stomach is the ideal way to burn stored fat according to the article Consistent Morning Exercise May Be Beneficial for Individuals With Obesity (Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 2020).
If you are still not convinced ask your Facebook community why they like to work out in the mornings and many will say:
- a morning workout energizes me for the upcoming day
- it allows me to be more productive at work
- it easily becomes a habit
- no distractions or obstacles from getting it done
Why the afternoon?
Much like anything in this world, there are arguments on both sides of the equation. For every person that works out in the morning, there is another person working out in the afternoon. Some people do it for convenience, while others do it because of their natural circadian rhythm.
A large majority of people are naturally more productive at night and have a tendency to go to sleep later. Unfortunately, this is not conducive to an early morning cardio session. While there are individuals lucky enough to feel rested after a few hours of sleep, most require seven or more hours of sleep each night to function normally throughout the day.
In addition to the much-needed sleep required to feel rested, a lot of people chose to exercise in the afternoon because of the results. Many people naturally have more energy in the afternoon. The body has consumed the necessary calories and refueled. Also, the days’ activity has warmed up all the muscles making people more nimble at the end of the day. All these factors make it ideal for a vigorous workout.
If you are still not convinced, then look back to the question you asked Facebook. If you asked your Facebook community why they prefer the morning wokout, Im sure you will also hear from those who prefer afternoon session. I will bet that a few of the reasons below were provided:
- burning off all the stress built up during the day
- improved performance since they are able to eat
- prepares their body for a better nights sleep
- easier to workout with others
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are arguments for working out in the morning and afternoon. Who can say what is wrong and what is right?
If you are not a morning person don’t force it. If you can’t get away during the day, then morning might be best. No matter what, just get out there and exercise.
