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The time of day you work out is almost as important as the exercise routine that you follow. Many people work out at the wrong time of day for their body, and then wonder why they’re not seeing results, they’re putting on weight, or they’re struggling to sleep soundly.
Some people are larks, and other people are owls. However, regardless of whether you’re up with the dawn chorus or snoozing your alarm in favour of late nights, working out at the wrong time of day can actually do more harm than good. So it’s crucial you know, and listen to, your body as to what will suit you best. That’s why at Abbeycroft Leisure, we’ve compiled a brief overview of the best times of day to help you decide when to do your workout.
Morning
If you’re a fan of late nights, then getting out of bed and feeling motivated first thing in the morning is a pretty big ask. However, if you’re more suited to early starts then there is scientific research out there which backs claims that heading to the gym, going for a run, or enjoying a dip in the swimming pool first thing in the morning does boast some impressive health and weight loss benefits.
It’s a proven fact that 30 to 45 minutes of vigorous exercise early in the morning may help to prevent food cravings. Furthermore, scientific research has also suggested that if you choose to exercise in the morning, then the likelihood of you continuing to stay more active during the day is far greater. By exercising early in the morning, you’re likely to enjoy lower blood pressure, a better quality of sleep, and a reduction in stress levels throughout the day. Furthermore, exercise really does help to give your metabolic rate a boost, so it goes without saying that if you exercise in the morning you’ll continue to burn more calories throughout the day when your body’s active, rather than at night when it’s more sedentary.
Evening
If you’re a lark then no doubt your decision to work out in the morning has already been made. However, for all night owls you’ll be pleased to hear that there are benefits to an evening workout too. So whilst many of us are hard at work until early evening, recent research has suggested that as our body and environmental temperature increases towards late afternoon, so does our enzyme activity and muscle function. This means that the peak time for an afternoon / evening workout is between 3pm and 6.30pm. It’s important to remember, though, not to exercise too late in the evening. Your body will produce adrenalin which could have a direct impact on the quality and duration of your sleep.
In addition, exercise is constantly deemed a cure-all when it comes to remedying stress, anxiety, tension and depression. So if you’ve had a tough day at work or you’re feeling a little low, then a workout will actually help you relax! You only need to do 20-minutes of vigorous exercise to release endorphins which make you feel happy and positive. It’s also worth noting that you’ll probably find you have more energy too compared with when you’ve just woken up and haven’t quite got going, so you’ll work out harder as a result.
Already a member? Then you have access to our fantastic health, wellbeing and sport facilities. Our supportive health and wellbeing coaches are on hand for you to offer advice on healthy eating, weight control, and exercise options. So, you have everything you could ever need onsite to keep up the great work. Book in to see a coach today and learn how using our app and Boditrax can keep you on track.
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