When Is the Perfect Time of the Day to Work Out?

It's hard to find time to work out, given our studies or work, responsibilities at home, and our social life. But if we can manage to spare an hour or two on Netflix and chill, why not our health, right? But here’s a question we’ve been dying to find an answer to: what’s the best time of day to exercise? 

Science says it doesn't matter. Everyone is different—from our preference to our energy level, capability, strength, focus, etc. It all boils down to having the determination to actually do it, regardless of the time of day. But in case you were wondering what difference working out in the morning makes from working out in the later part of the day, we will discuss below the benefits of each. 

Working Out in the Morning

 

There are many great reasons for you to be working out in the morning. It's a fresh start. Exercising allows your body to release endorphins—happy hormones that help reduce your perception of pain and trigger a positive feeling in your body—which will get you pumped up and going throughout the day. Doing your workout in the morning before the busy hours start is a good way to get it done without messing up your schedule. 

Additionally, studies say that working out in the morning inspires you to make healthier food choices for the rest of your day and exert more effort in keeping yourself hydrated. People who do an early-morning workout are more focused and energized the whole day than those who don’t. 

Working Out in the Afternoon or at Night 

 

While it seems like the morning is the ideal time to work out, most people find the afternoon or evening more freeing. There are also benefits to working out in the afternoon or evening.

Your body’s performance peaks in the afternoon because there is an increase in body temperature, optimizing your muscle function and strength, enzyme activity, and endurance. Your reaction time is at its quickest, which is important for exercises like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or speed work on the treadmill. The late afternoon is also the time when your heart rate and blood pressure are at their lowest, decreasing your risk of incurring an injury while improving performance.

So really, what is the best time to work out? While different studies support both night and day, listing down benefits of both, one thing is certain: working out is an essential part of our everyday routine and it doesn't really matter what time of day you do it. If morning works for you, then go for it. If you are more active in the afternoon, then go ahead! Evening? Get going! Either way, keep your workout and fitness efforts consistent and focus on the benefits and work you have to do to be healthy and strong. 

Working Out with Garmin 

 

Here at Garmin, we only want what’s best for you. So to help you train smarter, we created the Vivomove Sport. This smartwatch combines the traditional look of an analog watch with the essential smart features you need to keep up with your busy life. It gathers important data about your health with just a tap and a swipe. It has up to 5 days of battery life and is equipped with safety features, calendar view, option to sync with Garmin Connect app, fitness applications, and health monitoring. 

Garmin Vivomove Sport’s concept is "What does time look like?" and the answer is, it depends on you. We are all different, and that's okay. The important thing is the work and effort we put into building a better and healthier lifestyle.