When Is The Best Time To Exercise?

By Jamie Mathew Stedman

This post isn't about what time you are more likely to burn calories, or when is the best time to train for weight loss. Studies seem to suggest that for performance the best time to train is the afternoon/evening, but this article is about when is the best time to train which will mean you exercise more often and stick to a regular exercise routine.

Everybody is different.

What works for someone may not work for somebody else.

So in my opinion there is no official answer to this question.

There are many different theories and opinions on this question but today I would just want to share what I think and what works for me.

On several days of the week I will train more than once in a day but if I had the opportunity to pick when to train it would always be first things in the morning.

I think there are loads of benefits to training this time.

It all depends on whether you are a morning person or not, I know a few people who haven't seen 8am for months so maybe this wouldn't work.

Another factor to overcome with morning training is breakfast.

Do you have it or don't you?

I know people who have it and I know people who don't.

For me I can't function without breakfast so if I was training in the morning I would wake up have something small like fruit and nuts, a fruit smoothie and maybe add something like a bit of peanut butter to it, never anything too heavy on the stomach. I will then leave it about 30 mins before exercising and that will give me the energy to complete the session and then I will have a proper breakfast omelette, porridge or something after training.

That is what works for me.

Some people may be able to exercise in the morning but feel as if they won't be at peak performance, I can relate to that. Sometimes in the morning I don't feel as strong, powerful or fast as normal but I guess this is all down to your preparation (sleep, body clock, breakfast etc.) I would prefer to do my running and circuit type training in the morning and maybe strength training later in the day.

We all know exercise is tough, I love exercising but even I sometimes dread a session. If I knew I had a tough training session in the evening I would be thinking about it all day, if you do it as soon as you get up its done and out the way. You have no time to talk yourself out of it and you will feel great.

My energy levels are much higher after training in the morning compared to when I don't.

"Research suggests in terms of performing a consistent exercise habit, individuals who exercise in the morning tend to do better," this is according to Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief science officer with the American Council on Exercise in San Diego.

Early morning boot camps are very popular.

With an evening session you have the whole day to allow things to get in the way and then by the end of the day 'you'll be too busy' or 'too tired' to do it. I know this doesn't apply to all. I have athletics training and circuit training in the evening and I love it.

Like I said there is no right or wrong time, some prefer before work some prefer after work.

What do you think? Please comment below and tell me when your favourite time to exercise is and why.

Sleep is an important factor, if you went to bed at 2am then getting up at 6 to run is probably a bad idea. Sleep deprivation is bad for performance. In order to function properly you need to make sure you have a good sleeping pattern. If you only have 4-5 hours sleep you'll be fighting a losing battle all day to be productive.

Planning is also very important, plan your exercise session in and stick to it. With morning exercise before work it is more likely to become routine and eventually you will do it without thinking.

So I would recommend you decide whether you are a morning person or not, if you are, then try and get your session done early and enjoy the rest of your day if you goals, lifestyle and other commitments allow it.