Best time of day to exercise.

Here's a question a lot of people wonder about: What is the best time of day to exercise?

There is some scientific evidence that an early AM workout is the most beneficial. So if you are a person who has the option to work out first thing in the morning and it's compatible with your personality, I say go for it! Why not?

I like to work out ASAP in the morning. I'm more energetic in the morning and it's out of the way. For me, it's worth it to wake up super-early to get my workout in, if necessary. That way, any excuse I can find for not doing it later on in the day is not given a chance to take hold. It's already done.

However, if your schedule won't allow you to work out in the early AM or you are one of these people who just simply can't put out your best effort right out of bed, you need to find a time that works better for you. I stated in one of my very first blog posts, any exercise is better than no exercise.

If you can't give 100% to your workout in the morning but you can at 6PM, you will gain more benefit from working out at 6PM.

If you simply can't find time to work out until 6PM, you will gain more benefit from working out at 6PM than you will from not working out at all.

One precaution about working out late in the day: Most people will have a hard time getting a good nights sleep due to increased heart rate if they exercise within 2 hours of bedtime. And sleep is vital in the fitness battle, so don't sacrifice your sleep for your workout.

Whenever you decide is the best time for you to exercise, schedule it into your calendar and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment. This is your health we are talking about. It is that important.