Is There A Right Time For Working Out? Busting the myth Is there a perfect time for working out? Should I workout early in the morning or in the evening? This is one question that every individual wants an answer to. So, what is the correct time for working out? While there are many factors which affect our choice of working out, the most important is the body’s circadian rhythm, also known as an individual’s sleep/wake cycle. The circadian rhythm is based on the 24-hour pattern of the earth’s rotation. It influences our body functions such as blood pressure, body temperature, hormone levels, and heart rate, all of which play a role in the body's readiness for exercise.
Ideally, the body’s clock is the perfect guide for deciding your exercise routine, other secondary factors like family, work consideration etc. also play an important role in this. Keeping all these
factors in mind, let us have a look at the perks of doing exercise during a particular time of the day. The Morning Workout: Consistency As they say, consistency is the key, working out in the morning allows an individual to be consistent and if you are an early morning person then nothing like it. In the early hours, there is no added pressure from family, work or any other external factors, allowing you to exercise with a free mind and no stress. Fatigue from a long day can often lead to skipping workouts in the evening, therefore, making morning one of the best time for gymming.
Avoiding Crowds If you are a regular gym goer, then you must have observed that the evening hours have a packed crowd, making it difficult to get the machine or group fitness class you want. Whereas in the morning, even if the number of people are many, these gymmers get in and get out within a fixed amount of time and there is no over-occupying of the gym floor. Healthy Breakfast
Start your day with a morning workout in the gym, followed by a healthy post-workout shake or snack and an increased water intake. Getting your workout in the morning makes it easier to incorporate a balanced breakfast into your schedule, setting you up for a day of healthy eating. Sleep Pattern Any healthy adult would require 8 hours of sleep to function at their best. And knowing that you need to workout early in the morning, will be enough motivation to go to bed early and will result in more sleep at night. Getting enough sleep is of utmost importance when it comes to weight. Research has shown that the craving for unhealthy food increases when an individual is sleep deprived because levels of leptin, a hormone that tells your brain that you are full, drops by 18 per cent while levels of ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, increases by 28 percent. Lack of sleep also raises the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to overeating as well. The Evening Workout: Strength Early morning workouts is not everyone’s cup of tea, right? Hence, the preference for an evening workout. Any individual who works out in the evening has the opportunity to eat and fuel their body for a tougher workout session. There’s also evidence to suggest that muscle function and strength is at its height in the evening.
Stress Relief More the stress, more you’re craving for unhealthy food items and then the weight gain. Studies have further linked weight gain to increased stress levels due to the release of cortisol. Therefore, having an outlet, such as a kickboxing or personal training, at the end of the workday can provide a healthy way to release daily stresses. A more social workout While you are working out in the morning, everyone is focused on their routine, they will complete their workout and will be out of the door as soon as it is over. In the evenings, the atmosphere is a little different. Gym-goers during this time of the day are more relaxed, and many of them will be willing and eager to have a conversation with you. If you’re a social person, this is the best time of the day to meet like-minded people and make some fitness friends. Sleep Pattern At the gym while working out you are making the most out of your energy, hence you are sure to have a deep, restful night of sleep. The feeling of accomplishment from a positive workout will allow you to have good night sleep with positive vibes.
Both morning and evening workout have their own benefits. A lot of it depends on the body’s own sleep clock also known as the circadian rhythm. But the key takeaway from this article is that exercising is a must, whether in the morning or in the evening. Scientifically also it has been proven that for a healthy life, exercise is a must. Always remember consistency is the key, if you have set a particular routine for yourself, stick to it, the results will be significant and you will surely achieve your targeted goals.