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Finding time to exercise can be challenging - between juggling a career, a family and social life, it can become difficult to squeeze in workouts even though we know how important it is to our health and well-being.
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We all know how important it is to exercise. From building muscle, strengthening bones to burning fat, improving heart health and boosting the immune system, regular physical activity has a plethora of health benefits.
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According to the American Heart Association, a healthy adult needs at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. Now the question is what is the best time to exercise?
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Research suggests that people who exercise early in the day are more likely to adhere to a fitness routine. Also, exercising in the morning has been linked to better productivity, lower BP and good sleep.
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Exercising in the morning can also speed up the metabolism, which can improve calorie-burning throughout the day. It also sets the stage for healthier choices throughout the day like better food choices.
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However, some say that mornings can present with joint stiffness and some people are simply wired to feel more energetic and prefer working out later in the day.
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Studies have shown that exercising late afternoon or in the evening is associated with lower stress levels, greater reaction times, higher endurance and improved anaerobic performance.
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However, exercising in the evening may keep the core temperatures elevated for longer periods and delay the transition, during sleep, to the restorative deep sleep phase (known as deep NREM sleep).
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What really matters is that you find a time of day that works for you and that fits your schedule, and then stick to it. By keeping your workout regime consistent at the same time every day, you can gain greater benefits. And isn't that what really matters?
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