For most of us, the answer to this question is ‘when we can fit it in’ but if you are in the enviable position of having enough flexibility in your life to select the optimum time for your workouts, keep reading.
The truth is that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to the most productive time for you to exercise as we all differ when it comes to our body’s demands when it comes to weight loss, cardio work and everything that comes along with that.
One way of thinking suggests that if gaining muscle is your goal, the later in the day that you do your work the more benefits you will see. A study conducted by the University of Southern Mississippi (via Harpers Bazaar) determined that people who worked out after 6pm showed more results than those who worked out at 10am. The later group also saw more weight loss.
Your metabolism will slow down as the day goes on but an evening workout will give it a push-start, meaning you will burn more calories over the course of a day which leads to more muscle definition.
So while this is good news to those who favour a lie-in in the mornings, there still remains some activities you can do in the morning to help prepare you for the day.
First thing in the morning
Cortisol will suppress your testosterone in the mornings, so spur that on with a 10 minute meditation session when you wake up.
Walk to work
This will help boost your vitamin-D levels and increase your testosterone levels by up to 25 percent.
Eat a high carb lunch
This will help power your muscles with energy while also boosting testosterone during training.
After work
Now is the time to get that gym session in.
Go to bed early
This is often the most overlooked part of an overall health plan. Your muscles will regenerate while you sleep. Eight hours per night is the recommended total.
