Morning v Evening Workout: Does timing matter?
Can I be honest?
I went digging for a clear, research-backed answer to this question and I came up short.
Outside of research on how hormones and compounds respond to different exercise types there wasn’t much out there.
From what I can find it matters less on time of day and more about whether you’re fed or fasted- working out with food in your system or on an empty stomach. But instead of getting down on myself for not finding the answer for you- I choose joy. I chose to move forward with what I DO know.
The best time to work out is when you’re most likely to stick with it.
The real key is consistency.
Below are some pros and cons to help you figure out which best floats your boat:
Morning
Pros:
· Endorphins (hormones that relieve pain or stress) start your day feeling good
· May lead to better sleep at night
· Fewer distractions or conflicts
· Burning calories throughout the day increases fat burning
Cons
· Energy is usually lower in the morning
· Lung function is lower in the morning
· Joints and muscles are stiffer so you need more warm-up time
· Working out hungry may lead to quicker burn out but eating too close to workout may make your tummy hurt :(
Evening
Pros
· More energy and more strength for a more “successful” workout
· Muscles and joints are more flexible because your body temperature is higher
· Great way to release stress from the day
Cons
· You may be too tired or busy to follow through
· More things happen in the evening making it harder to fit into your schedule
· Working out too close to bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep because your temperature and heart are not in a restful state
Regardless of the time, regular and consistent physical activity will help you lead a longer, healthier life
I wrote it down so we can learn together
-Kiara
Sources
IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS)
e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 19, Issue 12 Ser.14 (December. 2020), PP 01-07 www.iosrjournals.org
