Morning workout vs evening workout – which is better?

We've listed a few important factors to help you decide

Working out is essential for a healthy life, but how do you decide when to work out? Our busy lives barely allow us time to hit the gym unless we have a set routine dedicated to exercise.

So, should one set aside workout time in the morning or in the evening? Here are some important deciding factors compiled from HuffPo, Make Your Body Work, Cosmopolitan and Body Building:

Metabolism and weight loss

Photo: Giphy



Working out in the morning before eating a proper breakfast boosts your metabolism and helps you burn more calories for longer. This is because your body uses the stored fat to power the workout instead of the food consumed during the day.

Eating something light like an apple, before working out is a great way to kick-start your metabolism, it revs up your system and burns calories of the meals consumed throughout the day, replenishing your body round the clock.

Evening workouts do not burn the same number of calories because meals consumed during the day did not contribute to the replenishment of the body. Thus, a morning workout provides greater weight loss as opposed to evening workouts.

The purple section of the graph shows how oxygen consumption (and calorie-burning) takes time to return to normal after your workout. Photo: Makeyourbodywork.com



Consistency

Obviously, consistency is key to great results. If you are establishing a routine, you need to stick to it.

Photo: Makeyourbodywork.com

Morning workouts tend to be more consistent because you are less likely to bail due to work overload or other last minute events. The only thing to hinder your morning workout is your own laziness which will take care of itself once you fall into a routine.

Photo: Giphy



Sleep quality

Working out in the morning means waking up early so by the time you get to bed, you’re ready for a relaxing sleep because you’re exhausted. A 2011 study showed that people who exercised at 7 am found a 10 per cent drop in their blood pressure for the rest of the day and around 25 per cent during the night. They also slept longer and had better sleep cycles.

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On the other hand, working out in the evening may affect the quality of your sleep. Dr Cedric Bryant, PhD and Chief Science Officer of the American Council of Exercise, said, "Your state of arousal is higher because you have higher circulating levels of stress hormones which can make it more challenging to fall asleep.” However, you can get some extra hours of sleep if you don’t have to wake up in the morning to work out.

Overall mood

Exercising boosts endorphins and other mood-elevating hormones that make you happier, more energetic and mentally alert. If you work out in the morning you will start your day feeling good, and if you work out in the evening you can blow off steam and end the day on a good note.

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Our verdict: Though exercising at any time is good for you, you are likely to reap more benefits if you establish a morning workout routine!

Photo: idiva.com