Early Risers Versus Night Owls
Listen, we know you’re going to do what is best for you, and working out at all is much better than not moving. A good workout is entirely dependent on your schedule, your needs, and what you’re looking for in terms of fitness goals. That said, there are benefits to both working out in the morning as well as in the evening, so it’s up to you to figure out what feels like the best fit.
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1. Boosts Energy
By starting your day with a bit of movement, you’re going to give yourself a long-lasting energy boost. This, in turn, can make you feel more alert and refreshed for the long day ahead.
2. Starts Metabolism
Morning workouts jumpstart your metabolism and blood flow, which can help to burn more calories throughout the day. Some studies have also shown that morning workouts can improve fat oxidation for a 24-hour period.
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3. Limiting Distractions
Not many are up earlier than they need to be, so a morning workout is a great way to get an effective sweat in. Either your gym will be relatively empty, or if you do a home workout, no one will be awake. Either way, you won’t be bothered.
4. Helps With Sleep
Working out helps sleep regardless, but working out in the morning can help to settle your body’s circadian rhythm, or your sleep-wake cycle. This could potentially lead to improved sleep quality.
5. Increases Mental Clarity
Getting up and sliding into your desk with a groggy mind works for some, but not all. Getting in a morning workout, or even a morning walk, can greatly improve your mental clarity, boosting focus and productivity throughout the day.
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6. Keeps Your Evenings Free
If you prefer to relax after a long workday or have places to be in the evening, working out in the morning can help in terms of time management. You’re more likely to get it done before work instead of trying to sneak it in between late-day appointments.
7. Keep It Healthy
By starting your day with a workout, you may be encouraged to eat healthier throughout the day. You started strong with your health journey at 7 am, so you may as well continue to do so.
8. Weather Permitting
In the summertime, working out before the sun is out and about will save you from the soul-sucking heat of the mid-afternoon. Even if your workout isn’t outdoors, you will feel better knowing you don’t have to run in 30-degree heat.
9. Appetite Control
Working out in general helps to reduce ghrelin, our hunger hormone. However, a study showed that a morning workout may lead to better or more relaxed food cues. This could aid in weight loss as well as improved portion control.
10. Better Blood Glucose
Thanks to the increase in cortisol during a morning workout, our body’s blood sugar is stabilized. While this is beneficial for everyone, folks with type 1 diabetes may find a morning workout to be especially helpful to avoid a hypoglycemic reaction.
1. Improve Performance
You tend to feel a little groggy in the mornings, which can impact your ability to maximize your workout efficiency. Studies have shown that our muscle strength is higher later in the day, so you may have a better workout post the 9-5.
2. Less Busy
Going to the gym right after work can be a tedious process, as everyone seems to think the same way. However, going later in the evening, around 8 or 9, opens up your workout possibilities tremendously.
3. Can Help With Sleep
While working out at any time of the day will help with sleep, working out before heading to bed can help you feel more refreshed the next morning. This is thanks to those stress hormones leaving your system, and the post-workout endorphins rushing in.
4. You Can Sleep In
You don’t need to be an early riser to be healthy. If your body prefers to sleep when you need to get ready for work, then let it. Why bother forcing yourself to be grumpy when you can just worry about a workout later in the day?
5. Lower Injury Risk
As we mentioned before, your muscles are stronger later in the day. This is not only helpful for more effective workouts, but also means you’re less likely to hurt yourself in comparison to morning movers.
6. More Energy
While you may be mentally tired from a long work day, your body is ramped up and ready to go. Evening workouts mean you’ve given your body a fair amount of fuel, so it’s actually more prepared to take on some heavy lifting.
7. Stress Relief
Working out after work can help relieve any post-work worries. Instead of going home and thinking about everything you have to do the next day, you can sweat the stress out instead. This endorphin rush will also make your evenings much more pleasant.
8. Potential For Group Activities
Not everyone wants to get up and do squats at 6 am, which is totally fair. If you prefer a group workout dynamic, evening exercises may be just the thing for you. You can join a run club, meet up with a group of people at the gym, or hit an evening workout class.
9. Better Routine Consistency
If you’re trying to start a regular workout routine and would prefer to work out in the morning, you’re likely going to have some slip-ups—aka going back to sleep. Working out in the evening can be much more effective for keeping up a good routine.
10. Personal Time
For those with children or other family members, working out can be the one point in the evening where you get some “you time.” For 30 minutes to an hour, you get to take care of your body and focus on what makes you feel good.
