Each of us has a time of day when we feel we’re at our best – that time that we try to time our workouts to hit. And of course the early morning jogger is going to disagree with the evening stair-climber and the lunchtime spinner as to when the optimal time for exercise might be. So who’s right and who’s wrong? When is the best time to work out?

The answer is simple – it depends. It depends on your personal body rhythm. It depends on your overall fitness goals. And it depends on your schedule.

Dawn Patrol

A morning workout can have some great benefits. First, you get your exercise out of the way first thing without having it loom over you for the rest of the day – something some experts believe might just be what it takes to keep you committed to your exercise regimen.

Of course it also has physiological benefits – especially if your goal is to burn fat. In the morning, your stomach is empty, so your body has little or no carb reserves to call on. The result? Your body burns more fat calories. You are also elevating your heart rate first thing in the morning, so your metabolism can actually start the day in high gear – before you even eat anything.

One thing to remember: without an adequate reserve of carbs, you’re working out without adequate fuel.

Afternoon Burn

On the other side of the coin is the afternoon crew. An afternoon workout can also be a great choice if stretching out first thing in the morning is something that doesn’t work so well for you. After a day’s worth of activity, your body is loosened up and ready for some activity. Research shows that your body temperature tends to rise a few degrees by the afternoon, giving your muscles and connecting tissues slightly better performance at the gym or on the track.

Also, if your goal is to build muscle mass, the afternoon might be the best time of day for you to hit the weights. In the morning, your muscles are starved for nutrients, but by the afternoon or evening, they have had all day to store up glycogen, the fuel they need to perform.

The Verdict

So, if your goal is solely to burn fat, then a morning workout could give you a small advantage over an afternoon workout. And if your goal is solely to build muscle mass, an afternoon workout could be slightly more beneficial than a morning workout. But the key is finding a time that works with your schedule and your body.

If you’re not a morning person, then that boost in metabolism you get throughout the day by working out before you go to work is not going to make getting up before the sun any easier – or any more likely. And if you’re a great procrastinator, that boost in muscle performance you can get from an afternoon workout isn’t going to make your appearance in the gym any more likely after a long day.

The ideal thing would be to find a time that works with your goals, with your schedule and with your body. The problem with that is that all three criteria may point to a different time of day. In that case, find the time of day that you are most likely to actually hit the gym or the trail and start there because no matter what – ANY workout is better than NO workout at all.

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