Let’s say you want to build muscle, or lose fat, or increase strength and performance, or just improve your overall health and fitness level in any way. What do you do next?
Well, if you’re smart, you put together a workout routine (and diet plan) that will best allow you to reach that goal. That could mean weight training, cardio, sport-specific training of some kind or all of the above.
But when this entire program is all set up and finally ready to be put into action, there’s still one final question you may have… when should it be done? Meaning, when is the best time of the day to work out? Not just in general, but for you specifically? What is the ideal time for you to exercise? When should you work out for the best possible results?
Well, for most people, the answer is super simple: whenever.
As long as you’re getting it done, that’s really all that matters in the grand scheme of things. Whether you exercise in the morning, afternoon, night or anywhere in between… it’s always just a minor detail in comparison to simply doing it in the first place.
But again, that’s the simple answer to this question. Let’s figure out the slightly-less-simple answer…
Determining When You Should Work Out
In order to narrow it down and really come up with the specific time of the day that is going to be best for you, there are a few important factors you’re going to need to take into consideration. They are:
- Convenience
- Sustainability & Personal Preference
- Your Gym Situation
- Interaction With Your Diet
- Partners & Trainers
- Adaptation
- Myths, Science & Recommendations
Time for some details and answers…
Factor #1: Convenience
Let’s start with the most obvious factor of all… doing what’s most convenient for your own daily schedule. Meaning, whatever time is most doable for you and best fits your schedule and life, that’s when you should work out.
So if work/school/family/life in general has made it so that the only time you can work out is at 8am, or 8pm, or during your lunch break, or midnight, or before work/school, or after work/school, or any other hour of the day… then guess what? THAT’S the best time to work out.
This is always answer #1 in my opinion and the main (or sometimes the ONLY) factor that you truly need to consider when making this decision. Even if one of the other factors possess some tiny benefit, it’s rarely ever significant enough to beat out the simple factor of convenience. Always keep that in mind.
Factor #2: Sustainability & Personal Preference
Now let’s pretend that every time of the day is equally convenient for you. What’s the best time to work out now? Well, I’d say it comes down to a combination of what’s most sustainable for you and what best fits your personal training preferences.
In terms of sustainability, whatever time of the day makes you most likely to work out consistently… THAT’S when you should work out. That’s why morning exercise is often recommended. It gets things done early and eliminates the potential for something to “come up” later in the day and prevent you from working out.
Similarly, working out in the morning allows you to train BEFORE a bunch of other aspects of your day have the chance to physically and/or mentally kill your focus, strength, energy level, motivation and intensity to train. For example, after a hard day at work or school, some people might be a little less up for an even more grueling workout.
I mean, it’s not always easy to come off a long, stressful, tiring day and then go directly into heavy squats, deadlifts and walking lunges.聽For some people the stuff that happened earlier in the day has the potential to hurt their workout performance or just cause them to skip that workout altogether. But if you exercise BEFORE all of this other stuff, this problem can be lessened or eliminated completely.
On the other hand, going into that same stressful/tiring day AFTER a hard workout can cause its own problems. Some people finish training and feel awesome and filled with energy that stays with them the rest of the day. Others just want to eat and take a nap. If you’re in that second group, your work/school performance can suffer.
Not to mention, some people just hate working out at certain times for whatever reason. For some, morning workouts are terrible and no amount of coffee can get them into that “zone” where they can push themselves as hard as they need to. Instead, training in the afternoon or night works A LOT better for these people.
And looking at it from the other side, some people can train later in the day and sleep like a baby right after. Others have trouble falling asleep after an intense workout and will be up for hours trying. For them, training at night may not be ideal.
Like I said, it’s about personal preferences and doing what’s best and most sustainable for YOU.
Factor #3: Your Gym Situation
Another potentially huge factor to consider for those of us who work out at public gyms rather than at home or in private facilities are the outside factors we can’t control. For starters, what time does your gym open and close? Do they open too late for you? Do they close too early for you?
And second, I don’t know about your gym, but every typical public gym I’ve trained in gets crowded as hell at certain times of the day. I can remember being there during times where you are literally working in with at least 2-3 other people on damn near every piece of equipment.
This is definitely another underrated factor to consider, as the crowdedness of your gym can significantly affect the quality of your workout AND the amount of time it will take you to get it done.
Factor #4: Interaction With Your Diet
Then of course there’s your diet and how your pre and post workout nutrition and really your overall method of/preferences for eating (3 meals? 6 meals? intermittent fasting? big family dinner? etc.) interact with the time you decide to work out at.
For example, let’s say you prefer having a nice sized solid food meal 1 hour before you exercise. You train better that way, and it fits with your diet and preferences. Now let’s say you want to work out at 7:00am. In order to have your preferred pre workout meal, you’re going to need to wake up at 6:00am or earlier. Is that something you are capable of doing?
The same goes for your post workout meal. Let’s say you want to train late at night. Are you capable of staying up even later to eat your post workout meal? And are you comfortable with eating what is typically one of your BIGGEST meals of the day right before bed? Some people are, some people aren’t.
Not to mention, for some people, exercising earlier in the day leads to better diet adherence through the remainder of the day. For others, it makes no difference at all. Just another thing worth taking into account.
Factor #5: Partners & Trainers
Do you have a preferred training partner who is only available to train with you at a certain time of the day? Do you have a trainer or coach working with you who can only schedule you in at a specific time as well? In either of these cases, you have another important factor to consider.
Factor #6: Adaptation
While most of us only work out to look, feel and just generally BE awesome, some people work out for the sole purpose of improving their performance at a specific sport or competitive activity. In cases like these, there’s an additional factor to consider: adaptation. Let me give you an example…
Let’s say that your sport or competition typically takes place in the morning hours. Now let’s say that you typically train for it at night. When the time comes to put that training to use, you’ll probably find that your performance sucks because you’re just not used to performing this early.
For this reason, if you’re going to be competing at something at a certain time of the day, it would probably be best if you regularly trained for that activity at that same time so you can adapt and physically and mentally allow yourself to get accustomed to performing at that time.
Factor #7: Myths, Science & Recommendations
And finally, let’s take all of the factors we just discussed and pretend they don’t actually exist. Let’s instead pretend that the only factor we need to consider is what other people are recommending based on their own experience, scientific research and silly myths.
Now, is there any legitimate and proven BEST time to work out that has any REAL physiological benefits and will, in and of itself, yield better results than every other time of the day?
As far as I can tell… probably not. And in terms of a significant difference, I’d say definitely not.
The truth is, if you use the same workout routine with the same diet and put forth the same effort and consistency with all else being equal, the time of day you work out at really doesn’t matter at all. It’s these other factors that make or break your results. You just need to train at whatever times makes you most likely to get them right.
But I Once Read That This Time Is Better Than That Time!
Of course, you’ve probably heard otherwise. For example, you might think that morning exercise magically allows you to burn fat better or faster. Now, in terms of the morning (or really ANY time of the day) itself providing some sort of magical training benefit, that’s bullshit.
Where this myth comes from is the idea that fasted training has some type of benefit, and first thing in the morning just so happens to be when most people are in that “fasted state.” However, this isn’t a requirement. As the intermittent fasting crowd has proven, you can be in a fasted state any time of the day. So the potential benefits here have nothing to do with the time you work out and everything to do with what you’ve eaten (or not eaten) in the period of time before it.
As for whether or not fasted training has any benefit, that’s a separate topic for another day (short answer: any potential benefits aren’t anywhere near significant enough to warrant going out of your way to train fasted, especially if you have no real interest or desire to do so).
And that leaves us with science and various recommendations. If you look around long enough, you’ll see evidence that training 3 hours after waking up is best for maximal strength and power, or 11 hours after waking is when performance reaches peak levels, or that heavy spinal loading first thing in the morning is dangerous and should be avoided, or that motor learning is better in the morning, or that we reach our ideal body temperature for exercise in the late afternoon/early evening, or that your joints are this and your circadian rhythms are that and blah blah blah.
Basically, you can find reasons for why damn near every single hour of the day is somehow better or worse than the hour before and after it. Is there any truth to any of it? Maybe. But what it really proves is that there isn’t actually an absolute best time to exercise.
Truth is, the human body is pretty damn smart and efficient. It can and will adapt to the environment you create. So if you consistently exercise at a certain time, your body will adapt and that will likely become your “best” time to exercise even if it initially wasn’t.
So… What Time Is Best?
Remember my super simple answer from before? Whenever. Well, after everything we just discussed, I can now give you the WAY more detailed answer to this question: Whenever is best for you.
Honestly, there is no better answer than that.
When Do I Work Out?
As for me personally, at some point over the last 12 years I’ve probably trained at every hour of the day that my gym is actually open at, and I can’t say I’ve noticed any significant difference in terms of performance or results.
I started out training at night (anywhere between 8pm and 10pm) my first 2-3 years and would often be there as they announced they were closing. This was BY FAR the worst time to be there in terms of crowdedness, and being forced to wait around like an idiot between every set and exercise was torture.
Not to mention, the caliber of people working out at night is, shall we say, extra high on the scale of douchebaggery. If you’ve ever trained at a typical public gym at night, I’m sure you know what I mean.
After that I trained in the mornings for a long time. The gym is WAY less crowded, and I found the caliber of people training at this time was probably as good as it gets. The downside of course was that I was waking up as early as 5:30am to get these benefits. And while I also loved that my work out got done before many people even woke up to start their day, the earlier wake-up time and earlier bedtime it warrants (which by the way didn’t always go as planned) became a little too annoying after a few years.
Since then, I’ve been working out at the same time I do right now, which is somewhere between 10:00am-1pm depending on exactly what time I get there. For me, this is kinda the best of both worlds. I can go to bed/wake up at a less-torturous time, avoid the night time crowd/douche factor, and the gym is still fairly empty and quiet.
It seems to be this magical time when the morning people have left but the afternoon people aren’t really there yet. It also fits perfectly with my schedule, my training and dietary preferences, and I just happen to like it, period.
But, that’s just me. What about you?
Poll: When Do You Work Out?
What time of the day do you work out? Morning, afternoon, night? Somewhere in between? Any specific reason why? Let’s hear it in the comments below…
Great post as usual man. Always been a morning guy myself.
7am before work. I hate getting up that early but have no other time to get it done. But like you said you get used to it after a while and it becomes easier. The empty gym is a big plus too!
I love waking up early in the morning but my workouts happen right after work (around 5:30pm). While I can do light cardio in the morning without any problem, weights are completely different. I need to feel warmed up and ready to go and that sometimes takes a few hours for me. I’ve tried doing weights at 6am and have had my back crack, strains, feeling weak the rest of the day, etc. I also hate morning workouts because of the rise in body temperature. I work in long sleeve shirt and tie, sometimes in a suit, and I will sweat right through them within seconds of putting them on.
I love late afternoon workouts because I can have a good workout, drink a shake, follow it with a shower and dinner, and then be tired enough to pass out quickly for bed after a few shows or a movie. I love workouts that fall within 5-6pm because they just work for me.
I train after school so around 3:30pm.
Lunch time, around 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and I eat my lunch right after the workout.
Always in the mornings so I can guarantee it gets done
Early morning. I get up at 5am to start when doors open at 545am. Best way to start the day. In fact, on my off days, I don’t seem to bounce down the street to catch my train like I do when I’ve trained. It means going to bed early tho. But my body has adapted and I find I’m awake pretty much every morning before alarm goes off at 5am. It also means I tend to be awake at this time on weekends which can be annoying. But for me dawn is the best part of the day so I’m usually happy to be awake then anyway.
its got to be early afternoon for me.
i workout at 6:30 am in the morning when my mind is fresh body is fresh and gym is less croweded the people who go are really dedicated to the gym and the best thing about training in the morning is you will never have to worry about things coming up or perventing u in my eyes the morning is by far the best
4 am every work day only time i have before work at home
Surprised to see so many super early people.
Is there any truth to the idea that training later at night (say 1-2 hours before you sleep) will negatively affect your sleep that night? Just curious if anyone has experienced positive or negative effects on sleep when working out late.
From this very post:
“And looking at it from the other side, some people can train later in the day and sleep like a baby right after. Others have trouble falling asleep after an intense workout and will be up for hours trying. For them, training at night may not be ideal.
Like I said, it鈥檚 about personal preferences and doing what鈥檚 best and most sustainable for YOU.”
I prefer doing my workouts in the morning when my mind is fresh and to make sure it gets done. I usually try around 10:00-11:00 am, when I am totally awake and when the gym is very quiet. Having this said, for some reason, I usually lift heavier in the evening even though I usually feel more tired…Weird!
I eat pre-workout meal at 11:00am, I workout at noon because there are only a few people in the gym and I never have to wait for equipment. I have post-workout meal at 1:30 pm. This works great for me. If I go out of town for the week-end, I leave Friday after my workout. When I come home Monday morning, I’m always home in time for my training. This way I never have to miss a day of training Mon, Wed and Fri.
Im a shift worker so on 6am starts its after work at 2:30pm and anything later I train before work. That means for the earliest shift I’m up at 5am but that’s not often.
Ditto with DrSeRRoD. I am a morning person, but my body says “I’m ready to go” from 10 AM on. I usually work out after 7 PM. Lately I’ve been doing a short 15 mins. cardio in the AM before breakfast and a few sets of calves raises, but that’s it. My real workout is always in the PM.
At the gym by 4 a.m. Bonuses: only two people there, our pick of equipment/weights/spaces, and we can tune to our favorite satellite radio stations. I love it – even manage to make it to the gym on my days off that early.
That sounds pretty awesome.
i reach gym between 4.30 to 5 pm.. since i get back at 2 from office and after having lunch,i need it to settle down a little to prevent that bad reflux..
I work out on my lunch break some time between 1 and 2pm. It’s great!! No one is there. I can focus at my task at hand and am always more motivated when the sun is out. working out before sunrise and after sunset definitely doesn’t work for me. 馃檪 thanks for another great article!
I work out at night usualy pretty late like just beofre i go to sleep it actualy tires me out and i sleep so well and it gives me time overnight for my muscles to repair so it allows for more intense workouts i also have dinner about 2 hours before so have plenty of food in me – aged 15
Hi,
I just got introduced to your website and i am loving all the information, i am planning to purchase the book too.
Meanwhile, i have almost finished reading all your articles but nowhere can i find the answer to my specific question, which is :
– pros and cons of 7am fasted CARDIO?
Hoping you can answer this even briefly. Thanks in advance.
Pros: typically none.
Cons: greater risk of muscle loss.
I’ve been going late morning and that seems to be a great time of day. My gym’s classes are very popular and I prefer to wait until the waves of class participants have left the building. And I can get a space in the parking lot.
That being said, I ride (horses) 2-3 times a week as well, and to simplify my schedule, I do it on gym days. (I mean, if you’re going to get all sweaty, dirty, and covered in horse hair, you might as well do it on the days you’re getting all sweaty at the gym! hahaha It’s not as gross as it sounds.) Unfortunately, that can occasionally mean that I am mentally and physically (more mentally) drained after a good, long ride and the gym workout does not happen.
Alas, I do not let it deter me from getting back on the horse (so to speak) and sticking to my schedule for the rest of the week.
BTW, I have spent the better part of this week devouring (er… reading) what you’ve written here and I love it. I started my “research” in fall of 2011 and have not stopped reading since then. I’ve only switched programs a few times (currently doing Bret Contreras’s Strong Curves), and have been on a 14/10 IF plan since 11/11. Martin & Bret are the only ones I’ve entrusted with my journey so far. I will continue to read & absorb all of your great info here while I finish out the 12 weeks of SC, then I will see where AWR can take me! Thank you for doing what you do.
Glad to hear it Cari! Be sure to update again and let me know how you’re doing.
I prefer to train somewhere between 6.30-8.00am before going to work. My Sunday workout isn’t much later either. I get to open the gym (card entry), choose my own radio channel and most of all I never have to wait to use the equipment! Sure, you have to be a “morning person” an sure, I’m ready to crash at sometime soon after 9pm. However, why should I just sit in front of the idiot box (TV) at night? Since I have fixed my training days and train early I have become extremely consistent which in turn has certainly contributed to some great results.
Jay, I don’t know what to think about this. I have always worked out in the evening because of my job but today I woke up early and decided to give an early morning workout a crack. I liked the fact the gym was quieter. I liked the fact I got the workout done and did not have it hanging over my head all day. However, I did seem to be marginally weaker in the morning. I know progressive overload is important so I feel lost on this subject. Any opinions? Should I just simply train when I can push the most iron?
Assuming your schedule/life is truly flexible enough to train whenever you want without causing problems, training when you feel strongest would be a good choice.
Comments Are Closed
If you have a question or comment about this article, or just want to give me your feedback on it, feel free to contact me directly by using the contact form here.
Thanks!