What’s the Best Time of Day to Exercise?

Morning, noon or night—when it comes to exercise, the right time is whatever time works for you. That means finding a time that fits into your schedule and that you’re likely to stick to.
“It’s more a matter of commitment than it is time of day,” says Russell Gage, Fitness Director at Henry Mayo Fitness and Health
The first move: If you’re trying to find a place for fitness in your life, you may want to consider these factors:
Setting a schedule can help you stick to your program, says Gage. You may even want to write out a full week’s worth of exercise “appointments,” he says. This type of scheduling can be especially helpful if you’re just getting started with exercise.
Research shows that people who exercise in the morning are more likely to make it a habit. “If you can get your workout in early, there are [fewer] distractions,” says Gage.
Though a schedule can help, it’s also important to be flexible. If your morning plans change for some reason, exercise at the end of the day instead.
Think about when you eat. If you want to exercise in the middle of the day, don’t let breakfast be the last thing you’ve eaten. Have a little snack two hours before your workout.
You probably don’t want to exercise right after a meal, either. Your body sends blood to your digestive tract to help with digestion after a meal, says Cedric Bryant, PhD, Chief Science Officer at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). This leaves less blood to nourish the muscles you use during exercise.
You may have heard that morning exercise can increase the risk of heart attack. While most fatal heart attacks do happen between 6 a.m. and noon, regular exercise at any time of day reduces your overall risk of heart attack, Bryant says.
Get started: If exercise is a new part of your life, start slowly. According to ACE, a good place to start is just 10 minutes of light exercise or brisk walking every day. Gradually increase the length and intensity of your workouts.
The trainers at Henry Mayo Fitness and Health can assess your situation and design an exercise program for you. To schedule a consultation call 661-200-2348.