The early bird always gets the worm? That is what early exercisers will tell you. And they have scientific explanations to back their opinions. On the other hand, there are many experts who feel that evening workouts hold greater advantages.
No matter what time you choose to work up a sweat, it is important to consider the pros and cons of morning vs afternoon workouts.
Advantages to working out in the morning
Consistency − It is generally easier to stay on track with a fitness regime early in the morning as there is less demand on your time and focus. Fatigue from a long day’s work can also make it easier to skip evening workouts.
Avoiding crowds − Fitness centres are at their busiest early evenings. That becomes a problem when choosing a machine or a group fitness class. People exercising early in the morning are also not so much focused on socialisation. Most come to the gym to get the exercise done so they can carry on with their daily tasks.
Convenience − You can basically get out of the bed and jump into your workout gear. There is no need for a long session in front of the mirror before you start the exercise.
Healthy breakfast − Starting the day in an active way sets you up for a healthy domino effect throughout the day. Most people will follow the gym session with a healthy post-workout shake or snack and an increased water intake all morning long.
Sleep − People exercising early in the morning tend to go to bed early. The result might be that they get more sleep at night. Enough sleep is of the utmost importance when it comes to weight management. Research has shown that people crave unhealthy food when they are sleep-deprived when levels of leptin, a hormone that tells your brain that you are full, drops by 18% while levels of ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, increases 28%.
Metabolism − An early workout jump-starts your metabolism in the same vein that eating breakfast does. The thermal effect of exercise lasts at least four hours after a workout. That increases the total kilojoule expenditure throughout the day.
Advantages to working out in the evening
Strength – One of the disadvantages of exercising early in the morning is that you may be barely awake and could see the treadmill as a sleep walking exercise. On the opposite side of the coin, an individual who works out later in the day has the opportunity to eat and fuel their body for a tough workout.
Stress relief − Studies have linked weight gain to increased stress levels. Exercising later in the day can be an outlet for the stress you have built up during the day.
Accountability − It tends to be easier to find a friend, colleague, or personal trainer who is willing to meet you for an evening workout than one who’s up for a 5 am cardio session.
Availability − Gyms offer a larger variety of classes after work than in the morning hours. Plus, a packed post-work class may push you to compete against fellow gym-goers and work harder to get the most from your routine.
Performance – During the day the muscles in your body warm up and your body becomes a well-oiled machine. That results in the ability to work out longer and lift heavier weights. It also means you are less likely to injure yourself.
You choose
At the end of the day (or the beginning, as the case may be), the time you choose to exercise is the time that is best for you and your schedule. The most important thing is to choose a time of day you can stick with, so that exercise becomes a habit. Making time for physical activity in the grand scheme of things is what’s really important to keeping you fit and healthy, whether you do it at 4:00 am or 11:00 pm.
Sources
http://www.webmd.com
http://www.womenshealthmag.com
http://au.askmen.com
http://www.shape.com