When's the Best Time to Exercise?

Is there an ideal time to exercise? Do you have a set time for your exercise routine? Let's look at this in more detail.
When's the Best Time to Exercise?

Last update: 27 October, 2018

For any activity, it’s clear that there isn’t just one right way of doing things. When it comes to exercising, although there are many people who try to follow the general guidelines, everyone has their own routine; have you found the time of the day that works best for your exercise routine?

Some people love starting off the day with a good workout. On the other hand, others prefer to ease into the day and save exercise for later.

Then there’s also the nocturnal crowd who finish their days with a complete workout. And you can’t forget those who fit their physical activity as and when they can and have some flexibility.

The best time to work out

This isn’t anything new. There’s already been lots of discussions about the best time to exercise, but we’re still left wandering without a clear answer. As we mentioned before, a person’s preference, the exercise routine and each person’s body, all play a role in deciding when the best time to exercise is.

Each person should look for his or her own ideal time to exercise. These days, the times that we can exercise are so varied that there aren’t any excuses not to exercise.

There are pros for exercising at any hour of the day. If you still haven’t found a set time to get active, or if you’re planning on changing times, this blog will be a good read for you.

The best time to start your exercise routine

Advantages of exercising in the morning

At the beginning of the day, as long as you’ve had a good night’s sleep, your body has more energy and your mind is free. On top of that, your metabolism is still warming up; that means a morning workout can speed it up, helping you burn more calories as soon as the day starts.

Exercise time morning benefits

In the morning, your mind is also more relaxed; it still hasn’t taken on the day’s headaches. This means that you can make the most of your exercise. On a further note, the energy boost that comes from your workout will be helpful for the rest of the day.

Something you have to be careful about with morning workouts is warming up your body. Muscles can still be a little cold and as a result, you have to be careful to prevent any injuries. Furthermore, keep in mind that morning workouts require a lot of commitment and consistency; be careful not to skip your routine just because of a small problem.

Advantages of working out in the evening

Most people choose to workout in the evening, especially during the colder months when mornings and nights are less appealing options.

Many serious athletes, especially runners, choose to do their routines in the evening because it’s ideal for training in speed and resistance. Some sources claim that the evening hours are the best time to build muscle mass.

A possible reasoning is that the body’s cortisol levels are lower than they are in the morning, which means that the body doesn’t tire out as quickly. Contrary to the morning, the body’s circulation and temperature are also normalized by the evening; in addition, the time already spent moving around lowers the risk of injury.

However, we want to highlight that an evening workout often means exercising after working. That means that you’ll most likely have to add on even more stress and worries to your everyday load.

Exercise evening

And what about exercising at night?

People say that the best part about night workouts is burning off the calories that you’ve accumulated throughout the day. After working out, all that’s left to do with your day is to enjoy a light meal and look forward to a good night’s rest.

At the end of a long day, many of us feel overwhelmed. We might see a night workout in two different ways: as just another burden, or as a way to let some steam loose. We choose what we want it to be.

As for the disadvantages of working out at night, it often conflicts with social plans or leisure time; that translates to the temptation to skip workouts. However, if you’re serious about being committed, it shouldn’t be a problem.

In any case, the time that you chose to complete your exercise routine depends on you. What stays true is that no matter the time, getting physical activity will have wonderful health benefits for you.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.