The Argument for Morning Exercise
Logistical Advantages of Morning Workouts
There are significant logistical advantages to incorporating your exercise routine into your morning schedule. Primarily, completing your workout session early in the day ensures that it’s checked off your to-do list before other responsibilities demand your attention. This early achievement not only floods your body with endorphins but also provides a substantial boost to your ego, knowing you’ve accomplished something significant before many others have even started their day.
Moreover, by working out in the morning, you eliminate the need to fit exercise into your afternoon or evening schedule. This freedom allows for more time in the evening to engage in activities like cooking, socializing, or simply unwinding.
Scientifically Backed Benefits of Morning Workouts
Research supports the idea that morning exercise has numerous benefits. A notable study in the Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise journal found that women who exercised in the early hours were less influenced by images of appealing food compared to those who didn’t exercise. This suggests that morning workouts can enhance focus and reduce food-related distractions.
Further, exercising in the morning is linked to increased physical activity throughout the day. Morning workouts can also spike your metabolism, leading to continued calorie burning as the day progresses. This is in contrast to evening workouts, which might not offer the same metabolic boost since your body winds down at night.
Impact on Sleep and Fat Burning
Exercising in the morning could also improve sleep quality. Evening workouts, which elevate heart rate and body temperature, might interfere with sleep. Conversely, studies have shown that exercising at 7 a.m. promotes better sleep quality at night.
An additional benefit of morning exercise is its effect on fat burning. Exercising on an empty stomach can increase fat burning by up to 20%, a goal more achievable in the morning before breakfast.
The Case for Afternoon or Evening Workouts
Benefits of Exercising Later in the Day
Despite the compelling case for morning workouts, exercising in the afternoon or evening has its own set of advantages. For starters, it might allow for extra sleep in the morning. But the benefits extend beyond additional rest.
Peak Performance in the Afternoon
Research indicates that the body’s performance capabilities peak in the afternoon. Muscle function, strength, enzyme activity, and endurance all optimize as body temperature rises throughout the day. This makes the late afternoon, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., an ideal time for exercise, potentially making workouts more effective.
Furthermore, oxygen uptake kinetics improve in the evening, allowing for more efficient use of resources during exercise. Morning workouts, on the other hand, may require longer warm-ups, which can detract from the main focus of your exercise session.
Reduced Injury Risk and Improved Reaction Time
Late afternoon and evening workouts offer the advantage of quicker reaction times and lower heart rate and blood pressure, which can enhance performance and reduce injury risk. This is particularly relevant for high-intensity activities or speed training.
Contrary to concerns about evening workouts disrupting sleep, some studies have found that individuals who engage in weightlifting in the evening experience better quality sleep and sleep longer than those who perform the same activities in the morning.
In conclusion, while morning workouts offer numerous benefits, including enhanced metabolism and improved sleep quality, afternoon or evening exercise sessions also have distinct advantages, such as peak physical performance and potentially better sleep outcomes for night-time exercisers. The choice between morning and evening workouts ultimately depends on personal preferences and lifestyle.
Editor