There doesn’t seem to be a right or wrong answer for the best time of day to workout. Cardio and strength training both have their pros and cons. Some people like to workout at home, in the safety of their own space. Others enjoy the gym, and still more need a group to really motivate them. So how do you find what is right for you? Trial and error.
I suggest taking all the factors that go into working out and experimenting with them. Move them around, try them out. Try visiting a gym once or listening to music while you run. If you don’t have a routine already, make one up, but vary the factors and make notes of what does and does not work. Did you drag through that 5:45am class? Maybe that isn’t the best time for you to be in a group setting with music blaring.
I would definitely focus on time of day first. Honestly, everything else aside, if you don’t figure out when to workout, you never will. When I was working 8am-4pm, I would go to the gym after work. When I was working 10am-6pm, I wouldn’t go to the gym. For me, later evening and very early morning weren’t enjoyable times to workout. Try different types of working out every day at different times during the week. What feels attainable and sustainable? Which hours were you giving your all and which hours were you dragging? Once you’ve picked your time of day, stick to it. Put it on your calendar and carve this time out for yourself.
The next question I ask myself is the where. Do I want to work out at home, go for a run and find a playground, or hit a gym? What will motivate you to get going? Take a moment to examine some of the factors that play into each of these. A gym will cost money, sometimes it rains and the weather will make your routine difficult, and some people cannot take time for themselves at home. Find out what is most prohibitive for you and rule it out. Once you have your choice narrowed down, give it a try, at your preferred time, for a week or two to make sure it works well for you.
Finally there is the social level of working out. You would have to pay me a lot of money to convince me to do any sort of workout routine in front of my partner. I don’t know why, but that’s the way it is. This means he would not make a great workout buddy for me. Some people love working out with their significant others. Determine what sort of social network will help support you. For some it’s having a gym buddy, for others it’s taking a workout class, and still for others, it’s just being left alone while they get their sweat on.
Once you have figured out your ideal workout conditions, do them. Every week for the next month, do exactly what you thought was going to work for you. As soon as you realize something needs to change, change it. In no time at all, working out will have integrated into your every day routine and you will start feeling good.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
All of the information on this site assumes that the individual is in good physical and mental health. Web site content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to offer medical advice, or replace the recommendations of your doctor, midwife, or physical therapist. Always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.
