Some fitness experts suggest that you should work out in the morning if you want to increase your fitness levels while others say that a mid or late-day workout is best. This can leave you wondering who is right if you want to make sure you get the most from your exercise routine based on the time of day that you might be doing it.
Although it would be easiest to say that your exercise is best when completed between 8 to 9 AM or 4 to 5 PM, the reality is that the best time of day to exercise is different for everyone. The key is to find a time in which you will be most consistent, making exercise a more habitual part of your everyday routine.
To determine the best time of day for you, simply answer these three questions:
- When would I have the most amount of time to commit to exercise? This may require actually carving out some time, so think also about some things that you can rearrange to make more room for exercise in your current daily schedule.
- When would I derive the most pleasure from exercising? If you don’t enjoy exercising at a particular time of day, you’re not likely to stick to it, so choose a time of day when you’ll find exercise most pleasurable, such as after work for stress relief or early in the morning while watching the news.
- Is there a time of day that would allow you to exercise with others for more motivation? Having an exercise buddy or signing up for a class can help you stay committed on days when your motivation is lacking.
Based on these three questions, when is the best time of day to exercise for you?
