NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)– You know exercising is good for you, but does the time of day that you choose to workout matter?
A recent article in the Huffington Post aimed to answer that question. News 8’s Renee Chmiel was at the Beckerman Recreation Center at the University of New Haven to break it down for us.
That article said there were benefits to working out in the morning and to working out at night. So how do you know which is best for you?
Head Athletic Trainer Nate Hepner says the time that’s best for you really depends on what your fitness goals are. If you are strength training or trying to lose weight then you will want to hit the gym in the morning. An early morning workout starts up your metabolism and can make you feel more energized during the day.
If your workouts are performance based – for example, if you are training for an event like a marathon – then it’s best to work out at night.
“It’s more for performance base, your circadian rhythm or your hormones are kind of higher at that level, so you’re going to perform better,” said Hepner. “It’s going to feel a lot easier for you.”
If you work out too late at night you might have trouble falling asleep, so make sure you are done two to three hours before you plan to go to bed. Working out very early in the morning could stop the recovery process of your sleep cycle.
