Carleen writes, "I read somewhere that the metobolic benefit of exercising in the morning or the evening depended upon your body weight. Is this true and if so can you post the chart?"
A.
I am unaware of any concrete research that has proven that either morning or evening workouts provide superior metabolic benefits depending on your body weight. However, morning and evening workouts do each have their own benefits.
One thing is for sure: one time does not fit all when it comes to exercise. The important thing is that you exercise consistently. Choose a time that is convenient and enjoyable for you.
Benefits Of Early Workouts
- Exercising early is the only way to ensure that other chores that come up during the day won't keep your from missing your workout.
- Surveys report that individuals who regularly exercised did so in the morning. So, if you're a morning exerciser, you're more likely to stick with it.
- Research has shown that exercise increases mental sharpness for 4 to 10 hours post exercise.
- Many women who exercise in the morning say they have more energy the rest of the day.
- Some people claim that morning exercise regulates their appetite for the day, making them less hungry.
Benefits Of Afternoon Or Evening Workouts
- Previous research concluded that a late workout would disrupt sleep. New research has reported that this assumption is not valid. Researchers say that you can exercise up to 30 minutes before bedtime without disrupting sleep patterns. In fact, it may help you fall asleep faster.
- Afternoon is the best time to exercise for optimal workout performance quality.
- Muscles are warm and more flexible in the afternoon.
- Exercise is a good stress reliever after a long day.
- Strength is at its peak in the afternoon.
In the end, the best time for you to exercise is whatever works well for you.
Other recently asked questions:
• Do I gain the same benefits from woman’s push-up as I would if I did men’s straight leg push-ups?
• I want to exercise but with three children I just feel too guilty to take another hour away from my children. Any advice?
• I travel a lot for business, what exercises can I do in my hotel room?
WorkoutsForWomen.com provides home exercise programs for today's busy women, under the guidance of a certified personal trainer.
