When Should I Exercise?

I am often asked when the best time of day is to exercise. Ultimately, the best time of day is whatever time works the best for you. However, there are things to consider about the different times of day.

I am up before the birds at about 4:30, 5:00am. I like to get to the gym first thing in the morning for a few reasons. I find the facility to be less busy, giving me easier access to equipment. Getting my sweat in before going to work energizes me to face the day. And most importantly, I'm consistent doing it at this time. I have tried to do my workouts at just about every different time of day. Through this, I found that morning sweat sessions give me the opportunity to get my workout in before I have all day to find excuses NOT to. Now, do I bounce out of bed with a huge smile on my face just raring to go? Not exactly. I will say that it definitely took time to get used to this wake-up call. But, after doing this for awhile, it's become as natural a part of my morning as brushing my teeth. And, it's been this way for about 15 years - pretty consistent if you ask me. The biggest downfall of this is the getting up early part, which also equals going to bed early, about 9:00pm to get the sleep necessary to stay healthy and alert (see future posting about sleep...).

I don't know anyone who doesn't hit the wall mid-afternoon. After lunch, around 2:00, I am ready to curl up and take a nap. A lunchtime workout can curb this by getting those endorphins flowing, giving you energy. It might also push back your lunch a little bit, making your afternoon go a little quicker. Studies show that after exercising, people tend to make better choices regarding food, so this might also help you get through the afternoon without giving in to that vending machine craving. Now for the downfalls. Depending on where you workout, the gym may be packed with people who have the same idea as you, limiting your access to equipment. It also might not be possible for you to leave work for the amount of time it takes to get a good workout in, shower, and get ready again. Men - this is where you are sooooo lucky.

After work can be a great time to get your sweat on. Your done with work for the day (hopefully) and you have the time to invest in a good butt-kicking. You're also more likely to come home and make a healthy dinner. Many people make this time work for them consistently. Conflicts arise when something unexpected happens at work, causing you to stay late. It's also tempting to join coworkers for happy hour, or scrap your plans because something that sounds more fun comes up. Depending on how late you exercise, it can also cause problems with your sleep, in that exercise gives you more energy, so hitting the pillow might not be as easy as it should be. Speaking for the morning exercisers, sleep comes a little too easily, making for a difficult time holding my head up past 7:00pm.

So the answer to the question, "When Should I Exercise?" is that there is no right answer. Experiment with your schedule, listen to your body, and do what works best for you. Exercising at all is a better option than being sedentary. You will benefit from moving your body, no matter what time of day.