What's the best time of day to work out?

"Is there a better time of the day to work out? Does it make a difference?" - Jessica Perez (on YouTube)

My short answer to this question is: the best time to workout is the time you'll actually do it! While there are benefits to working out in the morning (one study showed that morning exercisers may sleep better) working out in the evening can have it's benefits too (one study found that when they compared two groups of cyclists, those who worked out at 6pm had higher power outputs than those who pedaled at 6am).

Here's the thing: if you are NOT a morning person and it takes everything you have just to roll out of bed in the morning to get to work on time, an early morning workout may not be the right fit for you. Some people find they come alive in the evenings, and enjoy working out after a long, stressful day at work. Others may find that if they don't do it first thing in the morning they won't do it at all because the rest of the day gets too hectic. The best way to figure out what works best for you is to experiment and to be open to change. And, keep in mind that you may need to break up your workout time in order to make it fit for you. Maybe a 10-15 minute session in the morning, afternoon and evening works better for your day. There are plenty of options!

As your life changes, your answer may too! I used to love working out in the evenings when I had a 8-6pm job because I just couldn't get up earlier.

And if you do decide that mornings work best for you, just make sure to roll your bedtime back early enough to ensure you are still logging in plenty of quality sleep. Otherwise your workout may not be doing as much good since not getting enough sleep can actually cause weight gain and could have a negative affect on your energy level and ability to complete your workout to the best of your ability.

Evening exercisers, pay attention to what kind of workouts work best for you. Some find that they can do a hardcore kickboxing classes even as late as an hour before bed and still sleep like a baby, others may find that pushing hard close to bedtime keeps them awake.

There really isn't a one-size-fits all answer to this question in my opinion. Instead, I encourage you to keep experimenting with your schedule and body's preferences to find the perfect fit for you.

What's most important isn't necessarily the timing, but rather the consistency, of your workouts.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION!
Share your thoughts and opinions with us - when do you like to work out? Do you find the time of day makes a difference on your performance, sleep or energy level?

Got a question for me? Leave it in the comments below and I may answer it in an upcoming Q and A episode!

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[cheyennewood]

I lost 60 pounds while working out to your videos and eating right!! Thank you!:)

[squarebex]

I love how your message throughout all your videos is consistently that we should do what works for us - certainly what keeps me motivated is doing what makes me feel good rather than following a more prescriptive approach!

[loonielaura]

For myself I always find the mental challenge of getting it done is much better for me in the morning, but not first thing.  I like to be awake and take care of things that would be on my mind during a workout if I got up and worked out.  There are days I do this because of schedules, but I enjoy my 10:00 a.m. workout the best.  No inner chatter of "the to do list".  I also like to throw in an afternoon workout around 2:00 p.m. to revive the body for the afternoon slumps.  It doesn't have to be a long workout and your 10-20 minute workouts are fabulous for this.  

[carolynvickrey]

I prefer to exercise in the morning for the simple reason that it gets done! If I put it off for later, other things often interfere and I miss a workout that day. Still morning workouts are sometimes rushed and one thing I so appreciate about your You Tube workouts is the option for 10 to 20 minute workouts on days when I have an early meeting at work. But most days I try to aim for around 30 minutes.

[marisairigoyenmiguel]

I am working out in the mornings. I usually wake up at 6:30am, have breakfast, make things at home and then workout around 7:30am. It gives me a lot of energy for going to work so it's perfect. And I usually follow your playlists, so I don't have to think about the workout I am going to do (except if I don't have time enough for the workout of that day because I have to go out earlier or I am feeling tired so I choose something according to how I feel). This works perfect for me!. Thanks Jessica for this Q&A wednesday!.

[amiecharbonneau]

Great Q & A subject! I'm a morning workout person. I get up every day at 5am and work out to your video of the day (or combine a couple if it's a short video). I work full time, volunteer on the PTO, and I have a very active 5 year old (school, gymnastics, play dates, etc...), so first thing in the morning works for me. I've found that if I try to fit it in later in the day that I tend to run out of time and skip it. Not only that, it's really the only time of day I have completely to myself and I think we all need a little "me" time :-)

[newruth]

I love working out in the morning before I go to work.  It gives me the boost and energy I need for the rest of the day. I prepare my lunch and lay out my clothes for the next day so I don't have to do these tasks in the morning to have the time to work out and dash out the house. 

[karentannenbaum]

I finally watched this....great information as usual. I have done both and now that I am an emptynester, still workout in the morning.  Really sets my day for me.  Thank you!

[Robinett]

Great Q & A this week. I find working out in the morning just after I get up works best for me. I get it done, get energized for the day, and don't get sidetracked by other things that might lead me to skip. I'm retired now so it's easier but I also did mornings when I worked. I do love having the playlists because I don't have to strain my brain that early and I know you put together a perfect balance of workouts. Thanks!

[jessicaperez]

Jessica,

Thank you so much for answering my question! Sorry it took so long for me to see this. I have had a rough summer and rough entrance into fall due to a family tragedy, and have fell WAY off my fitness game. YouTube recognition by a fitness guru like yourself has totally made my night and has given me the spark in motivation to get back on track. I appreciate you answering my question more than you will ever know! You're the best. Thanks again for all you do for us subscribers!!

[Lesleyinnh]

I have tried many times to workout in the mornings, but would get frustrated and ended up missing workouts for days at a time. For the past year, I workout in the evening and have been much more consistent! :) The only exception is when I go hiking in the mountains (I live in the White Mountains in NH), for that type of exercise, I start in the morning because it takes most of the day! ;) Love your workouts!! :)

[corriefowles]

I work Mon to Thurs 7-6, and it takes me about 30 - 40 mins to get to work. I prefer to workout after I get home, and then in the mornings on my days off. I've been doing this for years so it really works for me. On the days i'm just too exhausted from work or I get home later than normal, i'll do a yoga practice or Pilates, and go for a short walk so at least it's something. I tried getting up at 5:00 to workout, but I found I couldn't concentrate at work and drank tons of caffeine to stay awake. 

[CarrieAGroff]

Thanks for this! I love waking up at 4:30am to exercise in the morning! I do go to bed at 9pm though lol gotta get my beauty sleep! 😊

[kathymills]

Well said Jessica! I so wish I was a morning person! But I am not! So I exercise after work. However, I know I could be more consistent if I could get up and do it in the mornings.

[garlicgirl]

I am a definite evening workout person I had so many people tell me I should work out in the morning and I was wrong for working out in the evening. So I got a trainer and I worked out at 6 a.m. It kills me! Unless I absolutely have to or its a special event before the evening and we'll keep it that way.

[countryfinds]

I find my my most energy is in the afternoon after work. I am tired after work but exercise helps me to unwind from all the stress of work.. Then I get enough energy to finish the rest of my day.

[amyf]

What is the best routine to tone and build lean muscle mass/maintain lean muscle mass? Should I start with cardio, then do some strength with weights, Barre or Pilates, then a yoga routine to finish? Is there a "magic" formula to mix up that works most efficiently? I find when I mix up your workouts I get the best results ;) ! Thanks as always for your wisdom! 

[SofiLivingFit]

For me it depends on the day. If I have a busy day then I get up at 6am and get it done. Otherwise, it usually happens between 10am and 2pm.

[anikaf]

You said consistency of the workout, right? So how often should we exercise? Are 40 minute workouts 5 days a week enough to keep our bodies healthy and to shed pounds? Thank you so much for all your videos though! They are brilliant!

[caraj]

For me, I prefer to begin my workout no later than 7:30 a.m. However, there are times when working out in the afternoon has to do. But, there are times (like today), I will workout twice.