When Is The Best Time To Workout?
September 28, 2007
Many believe that working out in the morning is the best thing that can be done for the body. It is mainly because they feel the body is refreshed after a good night’s sleep and has extra stamina to burn more calories.
Some find the gym deserted at the crack of dawn and while others enjoy their jog in the tranquility at the park. There are others who wouldn’t dream of getting on the treadmill or bike before 6 p.m., when the day is behind them and their muscles feel stretched and loose. Now the question is which is better- the morning time or the evening? Personal trainers and experts on exercise say the effectiveness of your gym time depends partly on your body rhythms as well as what exactly you are trying to get out of it, whether it is losing inches around your waist or putting inches on your biceps. First, you have to pay attention to your body’s abilities, says Cedric Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise, the nonprofit fitness certification and education provider. He counsels people that the best time to exercise is the one that works with their body clock and fits with their schedules. But that said, from a physiological standpoint, Bryant says the afternoon may be a better time to engage in more explosive exercises, such as kickboxing or racquetball. Research has shown that the body’s temperature tends to rise by a few degrees in the afternoon, warming the muscles and connective tissues and resulting in a slight improvement in your performance capabilities.
Working out in the afternoon also requires a little less time stretching on the mat because your heart and muscles are more prepared for the stress of exercise than when you’re fresh out of bed. Some experts say that working out doing cardio especially, in the morning will burn more fat calories because your carbohydrate reserves are almost used up. That causes the body to turn to fat stores for energy first.
Another point in favor of the early birds is that evidence has shown they are more likely to stick with their fitness routines. No matter what time you end up choosing to work out, the experts say you’re probably better off spreading it out in frequent intervals throughout the week, rather than saving it all up for one hellish day or the weekend. Even if you run the same number of miles in one day as you would have over three or four short sessions, you may burn the same amount of calories but you’ll lose out on other health benefits. Every time you exercise you temporarily lower your blood pressure and blood glucose levels, which provide cumulative benefits over the years.
Being regular is the key to maintaining good fitness regime. The determination to see that you are able to complete your workout regularly, inspite of your work schedule is vital. So do what suits you and your body best and continue to work at it. Excerpt taken from Forbes.com
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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