Best Time to Exercise

We all agree on one thing and that is, exercising regularly has many health benefits. It keeps us physically fit, energetic and alive, throughout the day. When our body is in the best of shape due to exercising everyday, naturally our mood and spirit will be uplifted too. Though we all know that exercising is good and that we should make a routine of it, yet one thing that most of us cannot decide upon is when to exercise. Actually there is nothing like a 'best time'. In fact, it varies from person to person, according to one's body clock and preferences.

What's the Best Time of the Day to Exercise

Each one of us is different and our body clocks too are not the same. Some of us can stay awake and work till late in the night, without feeling tired, while others may find it easy to wake up and start work early, instead of continuing late in the night. These tendencies make some of us "night persons" and others "morning persons". So if you are a typical morning person, then workout in the mornings, when you feel energetic and refreshed. However, if you are a night person, who does not like to wake up early or who finds it extremely difficult to do any work during early mornings, afternoons or evenings will suit you more for exercising.

If someone wants to exercise to burn fat, then mornings are the ideal choice. When a person exercises in the afternoon or in the evening, he is simply burning the calories derived by his body, from what he has eaten last. But, when he exercises on an empty stomach in the morning, he is burning calories which are stored in the body as fat. Thus, the best time to exercise to lose weight is in the morning.

Our work schedule and family commitments have a lot to do with the time we choose to exercise. For most of us, evenings are reserved for families, while in the day we are busy with work. So, if afternoons, when you have your office lunch breaks, are the only time you can spare for exercising, then there is nothing wrong with that either. Research has shown that our body temperature and hormone levels are at their peak around six in the evening, so if exercise is done three hours prior to that, it is very effective for building muscles and for endurance training. Also, exercising in the afternoon, in between work or after work, can work as a great stress buster, refreshing a person for an evening with the family. Thus, for some people the best time of the day to exercise can be afternoons.

For diabetics, exercising one or two hours after a meal is ideal as during this time, their blood sugar levels are elevated and thus, they have enough energy and glucose for their muscles. Another thing to keep in mind while determining the best time to exercise for diabetes patients, is to see the effects of insulin and medication on their bodies. Usually, when their effects are at their peak, the blood sugar levels may fall. At this time exercising is not recommended.

Thus, the easiest way to determine the best time to exercise, is by paying attention and listening to your body. If after exercising at a particular time of the day, you are feeling tired and miserable, instead of feeling fitter and full of energy, then it is time to change your exercising schedule and arrive at the one which suits your body the best.