Morning Vs. Evening Workouts

We have a patient that has just started incorporating exercise in their daily routine - they asked our physical therapists when the optimal time is to workout, morning or evening? Tony shares that he personally prefers exercising in the morning. 
When determining which is best, morning vs. evening workouts, the most important factor to consider is what will work best for your schedule because the best workout is the one you show up for. However, there are other factors you can consider….
When you hear your alarm go off, sometimes the last thing you want to do is roll out of bed, lace up your sneakers and get to the gym.  However, there are some really great advantages to a morning workout! For example, studies show if you plan on doing strength or cardio it requires your body to use stored fat - burn-time will last longer after a morning workout.  Also, if you workout or lift in the morning it may result in a better night’s sleep. Additionally, studies show people who workout in the AM have a lower calorie intake compared to those that workout in the evening.  
With all that said, working out in the evening has its benefits, too. During an evening workout you might perform better and get bigger gains because you’re already warmed up and may be more motivated to workout. You may even have more power and endurance levels! An evening workout could be a great way for you to end your day. After a long day it can be a great way to de-stress and it may result in better sleep.  
Something you don’t want your workout routine to do is decrease the amount of sleep you get each day - sleep is just as important! Depending on your routine, exercising in the morning may mean waking up earlier than you should. Whereas, exercising in the evening may end up keeping you up. Ultimately, when choosing your workout routine, it should be based on what works best for you!

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