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

By Erin Mellinger, Fitness Together Fairlawn and Medina

A question I often hear is, “When is the best time of day to work out?” The answer I give is probably predictable. The best time of day to work out is whenever you can fit it in. However, I have seen some pros and cons to the different times of the day to exercise.

Morning workouts are great because when you start your day with a tough workout, you feel more motivated and energetic throughout the day. Many people even eat better because they’ve already done their workout and want to keep the healthy momentum going.

In fact, the morning sessions at our studios have fewer cancellations because there’s less of a chance something will come up to throw off your plans.

A disadvantage to exercising in the morning is that it can be hard to time meals to fuel your workout. You don’t want to exercise on an empty stomach. Eating a light snack about 30 to 60 minutes before you exercise is ideal.

There are advantages to working out in the evening as well. If you’re a night owl, then you probably have more energy in the afternoons and evenings. If you’ve eaten well throughout the day, your body should be fueled up and ready to get to work. Some studies also suggest that evening workouts can help you sleep better.

There are advantages to any time of day that you exercise and there is no perfect formula for everyone. Try different exercise schedules and see what works best for you. Assess your energy levels, intensity, and sleep when you work out at different times.

The most important thing is getting your workout in—even if it’s not at an ideal time of day, it’s better than no workout at all.

Fitness Together is located within the Medina Signature Square Shopping Center at 3725 Medina Road, Suite #106, in Medina. The Fairlawn location is at 2890 Sand Run Parkway, Suite B. Call 330-550-9839 for more information on either location. Visit FTResults.com to see testimonials from Fitness Together clients.