By Jasmin Waldmann
What’s the right time to exercise? Is there a specific time of the day to exercise? Many people have this question. And it’s very relevant.
Let me start with the morning v/s evening time that people seem to wonder about. Both have their advantages. When you work out in the morning your mind and body are fresh and get even more energised during the day, at least during the first half of the day. On the other hand, working out in the evening, after you return from your day job, gives you the opportunity to get rid of accumulated negative hormones. It also might help you to sleep better.
Due to the hectic pace of modern life, the timing of exercise is not something that the body can decide; it is determined by your working hours at the office. For instance, if your work starts at 7am, you (your body) might not like to get up at 4.30 am to work out for an hour before work. Or, if you routinely work late, say till 9 pm, and work out afterwards, your body might not be able to give its 100% to the workout.
As for the ideal time when you should exercise, it depends on individuals and their schedule. There’s no one size to fit all when it comes to the timing. Each body has its own time and rhythm of exercise. This varies from person to person. Working out at a particular time will let you know if you (and your body) enjoy it at that time. Some people, who are not early birds, dislike working out in the morning because they don’t feel energetic enough as they would later at night. Or vice versa. My advice is to find out what your body tells you about its preference.
Of course, there are those who work in shifts. They can give their body the opportunity to choose from the different possible timings. Some people, despite not being shift workers, prefer to vary exercise timings during the week. Honestly speaking, there are no real advantages of doing this. What is more important is that you change the content of the training every six weeks. It could mean different exercises, a different order of the old exercises, or different resistance.
Exercise timings should also be in regard to the rest that you need. For example, if you usually plan your trainings on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday but if you have a flight on one of those days, you can postpone your next training to the next day. Always adjust as per the circumstances and act accordingly. Your body is not a machine and needs care and attention.
What is most important while exercising is to understand the intentions of the mind and the capability of your body. Take a look at your goals, be aware of your reasons for setting those goals, and be sensible about what and how much your body can take. Also remember that training is an ongoing process in life, not just a phase. Once you understand that fact, you will treat your body with the respect that it deserves. Your mind and body are not separate and always need to work together at every given point of time.
Jasmin Waldmann is an international Mind & Body Transformation Expert. She is the author of the book ‘Change Me’. Visit www.jasminwaldmann.com