There is always a debate on what is the “right” time to work out but according to science, the optimal timing depends on the desired effect. So in case you want to lose weight, break personal records at the gym, or activate yourself after a long day, the adjustment of your circadian rhythm becomes important in determining that time.
Co-mingling Exercise with Weight Loss
If one made a sweeping generalization, then the best & effective time of the day for losing fat is surely in one’s morning. The state of an empty stomach (fasted cardio) leads to a well-accepted belief that one can certainly burn the above-mentioned carbohydrates which are integrated for energy and that also activates the metabolism to start faster for the rest of the day, meaning that you will burn more calories afterward.
Discipline: The Key
Whichever side of the argument you listen to on the scientific rationale accompanying different exercise timings, to you & me the best time is when the ability to be consistent in one’s set time is achieved by that person. This is when your body more or less trains itself into that pattern-Choose one and stick to it! If you will be waking early for your 6 am workouts, then your body would automatically program itself to adjust the levels of the hormones and energy systems to start activating properly at that time.
Afternoon: The Power Window for Strength
For strength gains, 2 PM-6 PM provides the best hours; the body at this time is at peak temperature and the entire system has gone into overdrive- activating the muscles and rendering them super flexible and metabolically potent. Most likely, it is during this time of the day when athletes achieve their best numbers in weight lifting.
Evening Increased Lung Function
Science has shown that the best functionality of the lungs is during the late afternoon. This denotes that the muscles can be easily oxygenated and delivered to lungs less rapidly: The tired muscles can thus be treated with another hefty dose of oxygen while the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) gets it together for some serious work, be it cardio or weight.
Stress Relief After Work
It becomes a daily de-stressing mechanism for many: One sweat out the cortisol (stress hormone) of the day. The workout becomes a bridge between one’s workday and home, thereby offering total distressing to the mind and allowing one to forget work for a couple of hours.
Endorphin Reset
Heavy endorphin rushes can be expected from a stress-breaking workout at midday for 20 to 30 minutes; this mental reset then helps gain a clear perspective for the afternoon and focuses stress.
Stress Removal is an Expected Outcome
Evening workouts do relieve some stress; just don’t make a habit of going to bed soon afterward. Working out increases your deep body temperature and heart rate, and with all this in place, getting some sleep is unlikely. Workouts should ideally be finished at least two or three hours before your sleep.
Energy from Morning Workouts?
Most studies conclude that morning workouts tend to decrease the appetite throughout the day. Throughout the day, people who eat the most after having early morning workouts usually also eat the healthiest.
Afternoon: Minimize Injury Risk
With the elevated body temp, muscle warmth from the lubrication of muscles and pliable muscles. In fact, with the gradual warming of the day, the chance of straining or pulling anything, especially muscles, is minimized in the afternoon, unlike in the morning before the body has had a chance to shake off the grumpy stiffness of sleeping.
Listen to Your Natural Chronotype: Early Bird or Night Owl?
If you are a night owl who forces yourself to wake and work out at 5:00 AM, that stress will choose to hang out with you. Find your optimal wake-up time with energy-on the battlefield, your mind dictates who you are and what you do.
