Exercise in the morning or evening? Here’s when it is most healthy

Working out too hard or following a diet may not help you reduce weight or get in shape. There are certain factors that you need to keep in mind to get it right.

While it might be difficult to maintain a perfect food habit or workout regimen, there is one thing that you can get right – the right time for workout.

Some research studies say that it’s best to work out early in the morning before having food as it helps in weight loss. Others say you should do it later in the day when your body has naturally warmed up.

Dr K K Aggarwal, president, Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), and a Padma Shri awardee, doesn’t side with any specific time, instead gives a scientific and medical reason for choosing the right time.

The morning time means less pollution during your workouts. (Shutterstock)

“The best time is when the air pollution levels are the lowest,” he says, adding that this will vary from season to season.

“Also, to get enough sunlight one should expose 40% of the body for 40 minutes, avoiding direct peak sunlight. Traditionally, the best time to exercise has been around sunrise or sunset to get enough Vitamin D,” said the Delhi-based doctor.

But as always, there seems to be no final word on this issue. Akhlaq Qureshi, a fitness trainer at Ozone Fitness and Spa, Delhi, has a different viewpoint.

“Whatever your fitness goal is, you can achieve it any time you work out. But you need to plan accordingly. A morning workout can help you lose more body weight,” said Quershi, reasoning that in the morning, the body’s sugar levels are down. “So you can burn body fat easily.”

However, Qureshi also batted for an evening workout routine because they “are good for gaining strength or muscle.

“Our energy sources are full after having important meals. Also, exercising in the evening is good for stress relief since we are tired after the whole day’s routine,” he explained.

So, what time are you going to work out?

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Garima Singh

Garima is following her dream and now writes on various topics about health, fitness, food, lifestyle, technology, latest trend full-time. Her favorite quote:
“A beautiful face will age and a perfect body will change ,but a beautiful soul will always be beautiful..”