I am often asked is it better to work out in the morning before you start your day or at night after your day is complete? Well, I think it all depends on what one prefers. I don’t think there is one right or wrong time of day to exercise. Here are some of my thoughts about this question.
Energy Levels- My morning workout is equivalent to my first cup of coffee I get an energy boost, it kickstarts my metabolism, it wakes me up, and it gets me going for the day. This is my optimal time of day to exercise. On the other side of the coin, if you need that 4pm cup of coffee, working out in the afternoon or evening will give you an energy boost.
Food for Fuel- Some people report that they prefer to work out in the morning, pre-breakfast as they don’t like to work out on a full stomach. Others need to have fuel in their tank and so they prefer to work out later in the day.
Work out for your Mind- I obsess over certain things in my life. And working out is one of my obsessions. So, if I work out first thing in the morning, then I can check it off my “to-do” list and I have one less thing to obsess over. On the other hand, some people feel that working out at the end of the day is a great stress reliever so they would rather do it later.
But, no matter what, the best time for a workout is whenever you can fit it into your crazy schedule. I have to admit that there are times either when traveling or an early school meeting, that I feel pressure to workout either in the early morning hours or later in the day. But I have come to realize that the extra sleep, the extra time, and the extra rest I get, is more beneficial than trying to fit in my workout. And I know I will find the time the next day to work out.