People choose to exercise at different times of day for different reasons – a lunchtime workout may fit into your schedule or you may meet up with friends at the gym after work – but training first thing in the morning is best, according to British Wrestling Champion, Keith McNiven, and here’s why.
1. IT’S EASIER TO FOLLOW HIGH-VOLUME TRAINING SYSTEMS
Trying to do a tri-set or a giant set is all but impossible in a packed gym. This guy over here wants to work on his glutes. That girl over there wants to steal your dumbbells. Others cast an evil eye your way for hogging so much equipment. They would have a point — if the gym was crowded. But it’s not, because you were ready to rise and grind before everyone else. It’s much easier to complete these types of training programs when the facility is less crowded. That just happens to be in the morning.
It’s much easier to complete these types of training programs when the facility is less crowded. That just happens to be in the morning.
2. YOUR HORMONES ARE WORKING TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
In the early morning hours, crucial hormones (i.e., testosterone) that help build muscle mass are elevated in the body. By exercising in the morning, you’re taking advantage of these naturally circulating hormones as they’re peaking, rather than later in the day when they’re lower.
3. IT LEAVES TIME FOR OTHER PRIORITIES
Nothing is more important than family. Clearly there’s a trade-off between the amount of time you spend in the gym and the amount of time you can spend at home. Which is why slicing off a small segment, like you can in the morning, is usually better than in the evening, when you have to fight rush hour, navigate a crowded gym environment, get home to shower, and allot whatever’s left for your family. The math simply works better if you get your workout done in the morning.
4. YOU’LL BE LESS LIKELY TO SKIP YOUR WORKOUT
It may take a cup of coffee to get your morning going, but once you’re up, there are few distractions on your way to the gym. But later in the day, any number of distractions can sabotage your workout: less motivation, fatigue, the gang is going out for some drinks, a sick child, an overdue report for work or school. If you’ve already completed your workout, you can simply roll with whatever obstacles come up later in the evening without feeling bad that you missed another day. You’re far more likely to be consistent with your training if you get it done early in the day rather than waiting for later.
5. YOUR METABOLIC RATE WILL RECEIVE A QUICK BOOST
Without a doubt, exercise can boost your metabolic rate. The degree depends on your current fitness level and the kind of activity you choose. All other things being equal, working out in the morning will help to boost your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories for the rest of the day. This phenomenon is called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC.
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