When Is the Best Time to Go to the Gym? We answer this and more! Luxeladyfit

Between your family, work, chores, and social life, it is (more often than not) quite difficult to throw exercise into the mix as well. Squeezing an hour or two at the gym on your fully packed, stressful day takes commitment, time management, patience, and dedication. So, it’s only fair to think that if you are going to go that extra mile, you should at least make the most out of your gym membership and reach your fitness goals. But to successfully do so, you need to know when is the best time to go to the gym. In this article, we'll explore some strategies for finding the best time to work out so that you can get in your daily exercise without having to battle for space on every elliptical machine in town.

Gym Peak Hours

While peak hours vary from one place to another, they often fall between the following times at most gyms:

•         Early morning: This is when you get to stumble upon every morning person in town. Between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., many people decide to head to the gym to start their day fresh and give it a boost before going to work afterward.
  
  

•         Lunchtime: Those who have a generous lunch break in the early afternoon between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. tend to seize this opportunity and check exercise off their list in the middle of the day.
  
  

•         Early evening: This falls between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. It is when most people are done with their day and want to get it over with as quickly as possible so they can go home or relax for the evening.

   

These time frames are ideal if you're looking to socialize while working out, as most people are in a good mood after work or school and are happy to chat with others at the gym (or in a bad mood and are dying to vent out). However, if your goal is to focus on your workout and not make small talk with strangers -obviously, then avoid these peak hours altogether--you'll have more privacy during off-peak times such as early morning or late night when most people are sleeping.

Pros and Cons of Morning Workouts

Pros

•         If you are overly concerned with exercise timing most days, you should get it over with early in the day.

•         You'll have more time to yourself after your workout.

•         Working out in the morning helps you start your day on a positive note and feel energized throughout the rest of it (not just after).

•         If you're worried about waking up early, just remember that it's only temporary: once you get used to waking up at 5 AM every morning, sleeping until noon won't seem so appealing anymore!

•         Avoiding rush hour traffic is another benefit of working out at 5 or 6 a.m.: no traffic means less stress and more time for other things (like getting mentally and -emotionally- ready for work).

•         Squeezing a morning workout before work means you don't get to interfere with any plans made after work hours; this way, no matter what happens during those evening hours (social engagements, meditation, or enjoying a hobby), there will still be time set aside specifically just for exercising and you will no longer have an excuse to miss your gym sessions!

•         If you are naturally an early bird, your energy levels are most probably high in the morning. So, according to your circadian rhythm (inner clock), it is ideal for you to exercise in the morning.

•         Studies have shown that working out in the early morning – preferably on an empty stomach- not only burns more fat but also boosts your metabolism, helps you sleep better at night, and burns calories throughout the day.

•         Research shows that people who work out first thing in the morning are more likely to stick with their fitness plans over time than those who exercise later on (or not at all).  This makes sense: When we're tired and hungry at night, our willpower tends to weaken; but when we start fresh with nothing else on our minds besides getting through one workout session, we tend to pull through.

•         Since exercise increases your heart rate and body temperature, you might want to avoid setting your workout routine in the evening to be able to get a good night’s sleep.

Cons

•         You might be tired: If you go to bed late, get up early, and then exercise, your body will likely feel exhausted before even beginning your workout. This can lead to poor performance and injuries because of a lack of energy or motivation.
  
  

•         You might not have time to eat breakfast: If you consistently skip breakfast throughout the week, it will be difficult for your body to recover from its previous workouts without proper nutrition intake (which includes sufficient carbohydrates). In addition, not eating breakfast could lead to overeating later on in the day for one's energy levels to become balanced again.

   

•         You could miss out on other activities that could be more fun than working out--like sleeping! A lot of people enjoy sleeping more than they enjoy exercising (and who can blame them?), so if this sounds like something that might appeal to your interests better than going to the gym at 5 a.m. on a weekday morning, it will be inconvenient for you to -actively and happily- work out in the morning. You simply won’t have the energy for it since you are kind of doing it against your will.

Pros and Cons of Evening Workouts

Pros

•         If you're working a traditional 9-to-5 job, it might be easier for you to fit in a workout after work than before. Plus, if your gym offers classes that meet at night or on weekends, that's another reason to go.

•         If you're a night owl, you may find that going to the gym in the evening feels more natural than getting up earlier in the morning. That’s why you might have more energy than if you were exercising earlier in the day. As a result, you push yourself harder and get more out of each session.

•         Some studies have shown that an early evening workout and afternoon workout help regulate sleep patterns, which is important for overall health and wellness.

•         Working out in the evening can be a great way to unwind from your day and prepare for sleep.

Cons

•         If you are planning to work out in the evening, bear in mind that it's likely that other people have similar schedules as well. So, parking could be tough, and finding an empty treadmill may also be difficult if everyone else has their eyes on the same machines.
  
  

•         You might not have time for a healthy meal before exercising. Eating before exercise is important because it gives your body extra energy so that it can perform better during workouts--but if you don't have time for this step in your day (or if eating late makes you feel sick), then this could hinder how well your workout goes overall!

   

•         Exercising while tired isn't ideal either since being sleepy means less focus on form and technique--which is bad news when attempting something new like CrossFit or weightlifting! Plus, there's also some evidence suggesting that being exhausted makes us more prone to injury.

Bottom Line

When weighing the pros of going to the gym in the morning against those of the evening, you might lean towards the early morning option. However, according to experts, there's no one right answer--it all depends on what works for your schedule, energy levels, and preferences. If you're still unsure, try out a few different times and see which one works best for you. You can always adjust later if needed since working out at your preferred time is far better than letting your fitness goals go by the wayside.

Regardless of your choice, make sure that when you exercise, you feel perfectly comfortable about how you’re feeling and what you’re wearing. With LLF’s wide collection of women’s sportswear, you get to exercise in comfort and style.

Visit our shop now and explore our breathable activewear!