When Is The Best Time Of Day To Exercise?
If you are trying to lose weight or are simply interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, then regular exercise is a key ingredient in their recipe of goal achievement. However, many of us are struggling with lives that are increasingly busy and, consequently, we see our free time diminish as our responsibilities increase. This is bad news for people who want to exercise, especially because the best time of day for a work out is between 4 and 6 pm. Great. Right after work and right before dinner—probably the time of day when we have the least amount of energy!
Of course, exercise practices are subject to much debate among nutritionists and researchers and as with nearly everything else in life, not all agree with each other regarding how to design the optimal exercise program. However, most experts generally agree that the late afternoon/early evening is the best time to exercise because
· Our strength levels are greatest in the afternoon and this helps our endurance. We can exercise longer, harder and push our bodies more than we can any other time of day.
· Due to increased strength, we are less likely to injure ourselves while exercising. Many people injure themselves when exercising in the morning or late at night, but mid-day strength keeps us from getting hurt as often.
· Our body is in balance hormonally and our body temperature is at its highest. We are thus feeling our best and mindset is an important part of exercise.
The problem with the late afternoon vis a vis exercise is that it is a time of day when we are least likely to exercise or be able to exercise. Researchers have also concluded that people who have a fitness program that they do in the mornings are the most likely to be consistent and keep up with their work outs. However, in the morning our body is at its weakest and most vulnerable , so its looks like we have run into a bit of a conundrum here.
The truth is, while it would be great to exercise at the right time of day, it is more important that you exercise at all. If the only way you can keep your work-out routine regular is by going for a 5 am jog, then go for 5 am jogs. Don’t stop yourself from exercising just because you can’t get on the treadmill at 5 pm everyday. One strategy that you can use to get the best of both worlds is to try and walk as much as you can between workouts and maybe commit to going on a walk before or after dinner (if weather permits). You may not have the strength for a full-on work-out at the end of each workday, but if you can incorporate movement in some capacity, you will take advantage of your body’s optimal late afternoon condition. Whatever you do, get active—your body needs it!