Depending on work schedules, commitments, or family situations, some people don’t have the luxury of choosing a specific workout time. These people simply fit movement in where they can and are content with that. Most people will say that any movement is beneficial, but research states that there is an optimal time of day to break a sweat.
As a disclaimer, the best time to work out is whenever the time meshes with your schedule. If you can only squeeze in your yoga flow or spin class after work, so be it. Exercise physiologists say that it’s better to exercise than to skip it completely. That said, fitness researchers have pinpointed an optimal time to workout: the morning. The studies indicate that you benefit most from a morning sweat session.
The idea of waking up to exercise may seem daunting, but it’s not as difficult as you think. Plus, getting exercise out of the way earlier in the day means that you don’t have to worry about it later. Additionally, a morning workout doesn’t get in the way of other “priorities” that may come up in the evening. Roughly 50% of Americans who exercise opt for morning workouts, and you have the power to ease into this habit. Continue reading to learn why that’s a great idea.
More Control Over Appetite Throughout The Day
When you work out in the morning, there’s a greater chance that you’ll be able to control appetite throughout the day. One study found that people tend to eat less after a morning workout as opposed to after an evening workout. If weight loss is your primary reason for working out, consider switching your exercise routines to the morning.
Promotes A Calmer Day
Adrenaline is a stress-fueled hormone that trigger’s the body’s fight or flight response. When there’s less adrenaline in the body, it’s easier to feel calmer. Additionally, exercise promotes the production of endorphins, necessary amino acid compounds that ease pain and promote overall well-being. Working out first thing in the morning, then, helps keep these mood-regulating hormones in check. This is greatly beneficial as it helps you enter the workday with a sense of calm. There’s also no need to worry about completing a workout later because it’s already done!
Better Sleep
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) monitored the sleep of people who ran on the treadmill at 7 a.m, and those who exercised later in the day. The results indicated that people who got on the morning treadmill slept longer and were able to experience deeper sleep cycles. They also spent 75% more time in the most reparative stages of sleep than evening exercisers. The NSF also states that people who go for an evening sweat session typically have more trouble falling asleep. Working out raises your body temperature, and overheating is not conducive to a night of healthy sleep.
May Lower Blood Pressure
This claim specifically comes from a 2014 study published in Vascular Health Risk Management. The study monitored 20 people with borderline hypertension or elevated blood pressure. Participants who exercised on a treadmill at 7 a.m., verses 1 p.m. or 7 p.m, were able to reduce their mean overnight blood pressure by more than 16%. Lowering blood pressure helps decrease the risk of stroke and heart disease, and this is why cardiologists encourage regular exercise to help manage heart health.
You’ll Get It Over With And Have More Time At Night
Working out isn’t necessarily the first item that you want to check off your daily list. If you exercise at the gym, getting yourself there and working out can seem daunting or feel like a chore. It’s way easier to get your workout done in the morning because you may be in a bad mood or tired after work. The later you make your workouts, the more likely you are to avoid them completely. Plus, when you exercise in the morning, there’s more free time in the evening or at night.
