Best time to exercise depends on you

Wed., Nov. 8, 2006

Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.s.s., C.s.c.s. King Features Syndicate

Q: What is the best time of the day to exercise? I have heard many opinions. Some people say morning, some say afternoon or night. Which one is right?

A: Whatever time of the day you plan to work out is the best time for YOU. There is lots of research on the best times of day to exercise. Several studies have concluded that afternoon can produce the best outcomes in athletic performance. However, the general population has many factors to consider, such as family, work and other obligations that affect the scheduling of workout times.

If you are a morning person and feel you have the most energy in the morning to safely and effectively complete your exercise routines, then morning is the best time for you. After a long day of work, exercising may be the last thing you want to do, making it a stressful and less positive experience. For you to stay motivated and committed to your exercise program, you should choose a time in the morning to exercise and get your day going.

Others may be on a completely different schedule. They might like to exercise after work and feel as if they can de-stress and take their time to work out after a long day. If that is your situation, then evening workouts could be for you.

Realistically, commit to the best available time for you to exercise — no matter what time of day. Focus on completing safe and effective workouts on a consistent basis. For many, finding ANY time to exercise can be a challenge, and I wouldn’t complicate this by worrying about a specific time.

If you’re not sure what time of day works best for you, explore your options. Try working out at different times of the day. You may find you have more energy in the afternoon or evening than in the morning. Or you may enjoy exercising before you go to work to give yourself an energy boost. Make the quality time you put into your exercise program the objective, no matter what time of the day.

Always consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S., is a certified personal trainer.

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