Each month iVillage poses a different question to our
Dream Team of experts. Here's what we asked this month: Does time
of day matter regarding workouts? Some people swear by morning
workouts, while others contend it doesn't matter.
Jonny Bowden, MA, CN, CNS
It absolutely doesn't matter. The best time of day to work out is
the time when you're most likely to do it. Period. That said, there
are reasons that many people suggest morning workouts, but it
doesn't have to do with physiology. It has to do with habit and
consistency and mental attitude. When you start the day by doing
something really good for yourself, it sets the tone for the day
and has a positive effect. It's the "eat the frog" concept
‑- get the big things out of the way first, and
everything else is smooth sailing. That said, if it works for you
to do it at three in the morning, that's fine too!
Stacy Berman, Trainer
Technically ‑- if you can work out with the same
intensity in the evening after a long day of work as you can in the
morning ‑- it doesn't matter. Often though,
you're just thinking of going home after work. You drag yourself to
the gym anyway and do a half-assed workout while thinking about
what you will be having for dinner or what shows will be on TV that
night. In that case, you're not getting the most effective and
efficient workout. Also, doing a workout in the morning will leave
you feeling energized for the rest of the day, and you get it out
of the way.