Are you a morning person or an evening person?

Morning people can spring out of bed ready for an early start and they are likely to live by the maxim that “the early bird catches the worm “. They will undertake their exercises before going to work and feel a certain self-satisfaction for having done so. They will also feel ready for the day ahead.

For others, leaping out of bed and going for exercise is something that is alien to them. They need that first coffee of the day before they feel human! So, for them, exercising at lunchtime or in the evening is more realistic and more likely to happen.

But does it matter? Are there advantages to exercising in the morning as opposed to the evening? We looked into it:

Morning people.

Those who exercise in the morning believes that it is an easier discipline to maintain. Making it the first task of the means that it is done, out of the way and they can move on Events of the day can often lead to a work out, or gym visit being put off – or so they believed.

There is research that suggests that early morning exercise is a great way to fire up the brain and increase alertness, and interestingly, reduced the potential for depression.

There is a simple reason for this – Endorphins.

Endorphins are a natural drug produced by the body during exercise that trigger a positive feeling in the body producing a more optimistic and energetic belief about yourself

There are those that will say that early morning exercise such as this kickstarts their day and makes them feel ready to take on anything that the day may throw at them – a positivity that will make the individual more productive.

Non-morning people

If you are not one of those who can cope with the thought of a run, a visit to the gym, or a bike ride first thing in the morning then don’t despair.

Did you know that muscle tone and body temperature begin to rise from 3 o’clock onwards? This makes afternoon the best time for strength training of vigourous exercise such as intense indoor cycling.

The afternoon is also when reaction time and flexibility are at a peak and this reduces the risk of injury.

However, be aware that exercise raises our core temperature, so exercise taken within four hours of bedtime could potentially make getting to sleep more difficult.

However different people experience different reactions therefore our conclusion would be that the best time to exercise is when it suits you, and when you feel you get the best out of the time spent exercising

Mayfair we care.