When is the best time to exercise?
It’s a question we’ve been asking ourselves for decades, trying to pin point the best time in the day to work out.
Mostly, because if you’re going to put the effort in to go to the gym or exercise, you want to know you’re going to get maximum results and bang for your buck.
Some think exercise in the morning is best. Others say exercise in the afternoon is better.
Then, there’s the people who swear by training in the middle of the night when no one else is at the gym, and the ones who go running… on their lunch break.
So, is there a ‘best time’ to exercise, and if so, when is it? Here’s what researchers and fitness professionals think.
Side note – short on time? Try these quick core exercises from PT Sam Wood next time you’re watching telly. Post continues after video.
When is the best time to exercise? In the morning, afternoon or evening?
It’s hard to get a straight answer from the fitness industry as to whether there is a magical ‘best time to work out’.
Part of that is because… what does ‘best’ mean?
Top Comments
Jeez, this is like asking, 'Which exercise is the best to do?'
The answer is always: whatever works for you or whatever you like, or whatever you'll actually stick to.
Just do something, anything.
Agreed. If you're off to the Olympics then by all means discuss the advantages of training 30 mins after breakfast rather than 35 mins, or a bench press grip being 24 inches apart rather than 27.8 inches apart.
For the rest of us, just do it whenever!
I used to be an evening exerciser.... then I did Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation... and completely changed my tune. now I get a tiny thrill getting up at 5.20am ( I KNOW!!??)... and driving off to the gym, or heading out for a run. I cherish that time of the day when the house is quiet and it is just about *me*. There are no excuses at that time. And it sets me up for the day.