5 scientific reasons why morning workout is the best

What time do you prefer to go to the gym? Most of us would say evening. But did you know that there is a perfect time to work out so that you can get the most out of your workout – morning. Why? Well, science has the answer. Here are five reasons your workout — whatever it may be — should be in the a.m.

Your hormones are raring to go — they work to your advantage

Your testosterone levels are much higher early in the morning[1]. Not only does this help make your workout much more intense, but it also helps build muscle mass — helping you burn more calories and lose weight faster.

When you work out in the morning, you are taking advantage of this peak, instead of forcing it to happen later in the day.

It helps boost your metabolic rate — helping you burn calories throughout the day

When you exercise first thing  in the morning, it gives your metabolic rate a boost. While the activity you choose does play a role in how high your rate of metabolism goes, working out in the morning helps you kick start your day (and your metabolism) and it also helps the calorie burning process running throughout the day. Known as post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), you can intensify the burn by doing cardio workouts like HIIT (High Intensity Interval training) or resistance training. You may also like to read about these 13 ways to boost your metabolism and lose weight.

You will start your day in a better mood

Working out releases endorphins or the happy hormone that helps keep you feeling great throughout the day. While the duration and intensity of the exercises affect the amount of endorphins released[2], any form of exercise you choose can help you look and feel much better. So, workout before a hard day’s work is just perfect to kick-start the process.

It improves your performance as you exercise

Working out regularly in the morning also helps improve your performance at work. While, you will not be able to see the change right as you make the shift (in fact the study suggests that you might under-perform the first few days) but as you keep at it [3] you will see that you start doing your exercises with better form and more intensity — helping you lose weight much faster.

You’ll sleep better

Yes, working out in the morning can actually help you sleep better at night. A study found that women who worked out in the morning slept better as compared to those who did so in the evening. And not sleeping well at night can affect your weight loss goals. According to experts lack of sleep at night influences certain hormones that control appetite — making you crave more unhealthy food. You may also like to read about these yoga poses that can help you sleep better.

What’s more the study also found that exercising in the morning affects your body’s clock also known as your circadian rhythm and helps you sleep better at night.

All in all, working out in the morning is one of the best ways to get the most out of your workout. Why not start today?

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References:

[1] Resko, J. A., & Eik-Nes, K. B. (1966). Diurnal testosterone levels in peripheral plasma of human male subjects. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 26(5), 573-576.

[2] Goldfarb, A. H., & Jamurtas, A. Z. (1997). B-Endorphin response to exercise. Sports Medicine, 24(1), 8-16.

[3] Chtourou, H., & Souissi, N. (2012). The effect of training at a specific time of day: a review. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26(7), 1984-2005.

[4] Northumbria University. (2013, January 24). Lose fat faster before breakfast. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 6, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130124091425.htm

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