Time management and schedule optimization are so hot right now, it’s no wonder people are always asking “What’s the Best Time of Day to Workout?”

The answer is easy: The best time of day to workout is the time that works best for YOU.

But of course it’s important to understand the WHY, so I’ll break it down for us!

Morning Workouts

Pro: There is some research that shows working out earlier in the day may boost your metabolism for the rest of the day. There’s also research that shows this boost only lasts a few hours.

Pro: Your workout is done before anything else can get in your way like emails and work dramas

Con: You have to wake up earlier, and it’s usually cold out

Con: You may need a longer warmup to prep for your workout, since your body was just asleep

Afternoon Workouts

Pro: Lunchbreak! This gives you a set time, and a limited hour to get your workout in. You’ll have to stay focused!

Pro: You’re awake, and you’ve likely already tackled some of the big projects of the day

Con: You may also need to fit in a shower and changing before returning as a sweaty mess to work assignments and meetings

Con: You gotta eat too! You may have to eat lunch at your computer after completing your workout to stick on schedule, or prolong your workday to make time for everything

Evening Workouts:

Pro: A great way to end the day, you don’t need to stress about getting anything else done, just be present in your workout

Pro: This can substitute for a happy hour or quality time time with friends and family, just ask others to join in with you for a virtual workout or an outdoor activity like walking, running, or bootcamp

Con: You may be tired and drained after a whole day of other activities, and it’s easier to come up with excuses to not get the workout in

Con: Depending on your body, working out too late in the day may energize you and make it hard for you to fall asleep.

The solution? Try different times and see what works best for your schedule. Try morning workouts for 1-2 weeks, then switch, and so on. Keeping a journal of how you felt and your progress will help you determine what’s a good fit. Or perhaps Mondays are great for morning workouts, but evenings are the only times you can make Tuesday’s training sessions work; that’s okay too.

I’ve got many full length workouts for different levels on my Youtube channel that you can fit in under 30 minutes. Work this one into your schedule:

If this blog answered some of your questions, let me know in the comments below! Finally, I also recommend a couple of my favorite books for help on Time Management including ClockWork and The Productivity Project.

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