It is often said that early risers are the most efficient, but when we talk in terms of exercise that is not entirely true. In this great debate, there is no concrete “yes” or “no” answer. Whether it is morning workouts or night workouts, both are good for the body. The real difference is which workout lines up with your fitness goals the best. Both have their own pros, but which one is for YOU?
MORNING WORKOUT PROS:
Get it done. Many people choose to start their day off with exercise because they want to get it out of the way. You don’t have to worry about last-minute interruptions or miss a workout due to a tiring day at work. Also, you’ll find that you have more energy throughout the day.
Your body is prepared. Your body recuperates and recovers the most while you’re sleeping. Muscles are repaired and your food is converted into energy. When you wake up, your body is well rested and prepared for a workout, per AskMen. You will, however, need to do some extra stretches to loosen your body up.
Better for weight loss. Morning workouts boost your metabolism. This means that you burn more calories during the day–which we love. People who work out in the morning have a higher chance of burning fat throughout the day. Studies have shown that people who workout in the morning before eating breakfast are more likely to burn fat stored in the body, instead of carbohydrates.
Improved sleep. Having a regular workout routine helps with better sleep overall, however, sleep experts have suggested morning workouts help people sleep even MORE restfully. This is due to the exposure to daylight early in the day, which causes your body to power down faster and earlier at night. Appalachian State University researchers found that morning exercise lowers your blood pressure-which is correlated to better sleep.
EVENING WORKOUT PROS:
Fueled up to go. Workouts in the evening are effective because your body is already warmed up and prepared after a full day of activities. Your muscles are warmed up and your joints are looser. Naturally, your body has more energy from 2pm to 6pm, according to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Since you have probably eaten lunch, and maybe some snacks, you have enough energy for a vigorous workout.
Blow off steam. There are many psychological benefits of exercise. One way to relieve that work stress is to complete a light or intense workout. This can greatly impact how you feel. These workouts are a good alternative for destressing, especially when compared to having a bottle of wine instead.
More intense of a workout. The Clinical Research Center of the University of Chicago, found that post-work gymgoers were more likely to receive more satisfaction from their workout because they tended to workout harder. This is in part due to the protein synthesis peaks that occur in the evening, therefore making it optimal for evening workouts.
More relaxed. Along with not sleeping in, you also will not feel as rushed to get to work after your workout. You will have time to take a longer shower, change clothes, and have a snack after your workout.
Whether you choose to workout in the morning or in the evening, is up to you. What really matters is the work that you put into your workout and that your workout is working for YOU. Decide which is most ideal for your schedule and your preferences and get moving!
ALL photos courtesy of Impression Imagery: Instagram.com/impressionimagery/impressionimagery.com
Model: Marielle Washington
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