When it comes to protecting your heart, exercise is often the number one recommendation your doctor makes. But have you ever wondered if the time of day you exercise has any effect on your workout?
Exercising at certain times of the day has its pros and cons. For example, morning exercise has been linked with lower blood pressure, improved sleep, and more significant weight loss because it improves fat burning and is an appetite suppressant. Research has suggested that people tend to adhere to morning routines better due to fewer distractions, which can interrupt their midday or alter workouts.
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Afternoon or evening workouts are associated with peaks in body temperature and improved flexibility, which can benefit aerobic exercise and strength.
Essentially, the best time of day to exercise is whenever you can exercise, and as long as you are exercising regularly, then your heart will thank you by continuing to work its best.
The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75-minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise weekly. Resistance training should also be added to your weekly routine for additional benefits.
Above all the factors that can influence your workout – the time of day, type, location, social setting – the most crucial variable is consistency. As long as you are regularly physically active, your heart will be okay.
Take a look at your schedule and determine the best time for you to dedicate to a workout. Whether that be 20 to 30 minutes or even an hour or more, every tiny bit counts.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
