Better Bodies In Training

Training for Peak Performance

If you are training for peak sports or athletic performance, then late afternoon or evening is a much better time for training at least according to http://weighttraining.about.com/od/techniquesandstrategies/a/training_time.htm,

Many argue this point because, strength is greater, core body temperature is higher (http://www.maybenow.com/When-is-the-Best-time-to-Exercise-Morning-VS-evening-q19311593) and muscles perform better when core temperature is higher (http://www.sportsgeezer.com/sportsgeezer/2008/05/morning-or-even.html). Other writers, bloggers that argue this point are (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-55222/Why-evening-best-time-exercise.html, and http://www.bluesuitmom.com/health/personaltrainer/exercisetime.html.

According to http://www.bluesuitmom.com/health/personaltrainer/exercisetime.html, there are numerous benefits to late afternoon or evening workout times:

1. May help you sleep better and fall asleep faster;
2. Afternoon is the best time to exercise for optimal workout performance quality;
3. Muscles are warm and more flexible in the afternoon;
4. Exercise is a good stress reliever after a long day;
5. Strength is at its peak in the afternoon.

According to the http://walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/besttime_4.htm, the following cons exist for evening workouts:

1. Distractions and other commitments make keep you from walking and exercising at the appointed times;
2. Need to allow one to three hours to wind down after walking or exercise to be able to fall asleep.

Training to Get in Shape and Lose Weight

If you have been exercising for a while, if you are looking to increase your level of performance, if you are simply not a morning person, or have no time during the morning to exercise due to job or life circumstances then the best time to work out is late afternoon and/or evening. But if you are like the majority of people who participate in our fitness bootcamps, then the early morning workout is not just the best for you but it is what we recommended.

Again According to http://www.bluesuitmom.com/health/personaltrainer/exercisetime.html, there are numerous benefits to early morning workouts like:

1. This time frame ensure that other chores that come up during the day won't keep your from missing your workout.
2. Surveys report that individuals who regularly exercised did so in the morning. So, if you're a morning exerciser, you're more likely to stick with it.
3. Research has shown that exercise increases mental sharpness for 4 to 10 hours post exercise.
4. Many women who exercise in the morning say they have more energy the rest of the day.
5. Some people claim that morning exercise regulates their appetite for the day, making them less hungry.

Early morning workouts are not without risks though. According to http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-55222/Why-evening-best-time-exercise.html):

1. Body temperature is at its lowest 1 to 3 hours before awakening, making morning a time of naturally lower energy and blood flow.
2. Cold, stiff muscles may be more prone to injury. Be sure to warm up well before doing a higher speed workout, and do gentle stretching.
3. If you do not enjoy morning exercise, you won't easily form a walking habit by choosing a morning workout time.
4. Because body temperature and hormones are higher in late afternoon, you probably get the same or better calorie-burning effects later in the day.

Regardless of when you train, research suggests that the body can adapt to the time of day you train. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/health/03real.html?_r=1).

Our Recommendation

For our fitness bootcamps, we train at 6 AM, Monday-Saturday. That is because, most of the campers in our bootcamps are working adults, you live very busy lives; moreover, most have not developed a habit of exercising regularly. Finally, most are undertaking basis fitness training; so exercising in the morning helps in the following ways:

1. establish the habit of exercising daily;
2. remove the excuses of not having time to workout because of other factors;
3. help to jump start the metabolism, increasing basal or resting metabolic rate (RMR);
4. help increase energy throughout the day.

As stated in the beginning of this posting, exercising at any time of the day is far superior to not exercising at all. Do you exercise? If so, what time do you prefer to exercise? Does your current time match your preference? We would love to hear your feedback.

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