As a young 9-to-5 professional in marketing, I’ve had my share of early mornings and late nights. My days used to start with the relentless buzz of an alarm clock, dragging me out of bed for a pre-workout sweat session. I figured that starting the day with exercise would set a positive tone, improve my productivity, and help me stay on track. But after a few months of this routine, I began to realize that my early morning workouts were turning me into something of a disheveled storm survivor by the time I logged onto work.
The mornings were particularly brutal. I would drag myself to a workout class at 7:30 a.m., barely managing to scrape through a shower and make a quick smoothie before heading to the office. Despite the intention of feeling energized and productive, I often felt like a grumpy, tired bird battling the elements. My hair was a tangled mess, and my energy levels were far from the vibrant buzz I had hoped for. I would sit at my desk feeling less like a well-oiled marketing machine and more like a disheveled mess who had barely survived the day’s first challenge.
In contrast, I decided to experiment with evening workouts. I began using this time to unwind and decompress from the workday. The change was remarkable. Instead of rushing through a workout in the early hours, I found solace in finishing my workday and heading to the gym or doing a home workout later in the evening. This approach allowed me to shake off the day's stress, come home, take a long, relaxing shower, and integrate exercise into my self-care routine.
Here’s what I discovered from my personal experience with both routines:
Morning Workouts: The Ups and Downs
Starting my day with a workout initially seemed like a great way to boost productivity and energy. However, my experiences revealed that the benefits often came with unexpected challenges.
Benefits:
Consistency: One of the standout benefits of morning workouts was the routine it helped establish. Getting up early to exercise gave me a sense of accomplishment before the day even started. It was like checking off an important task right off the bat, which made me feel productive and ready to tackle whatever came next.
Productivity: Starting the day with a workout was supposed to set a productive tone for the rest of the day. I felt like I was starting off on the right foot, which theoretically should have translated into better focus and efficiency throughout the day.
Energy Boost: In theory, morning workouts should help with energy levels and improve mood. Engaging in physical activity first thing in the morning was meant to wake me up and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
Cons:
Disheveled Appearance: The reality, however, was often less glamorous. My early morning efforts frequently left me looking disheveled and feeling frazzled when I logged on for work. I looked like I’d been caught in a storm—not exactly the fresh-faced look I was hoping for.
Grumpiness: Instead of feeling energized, I often felt grumpy and unmotivated. My early morning workouts sometimes left me feeling irritable and less inclined to tackle the day with enthusiasm.
Increased Stress: Trying to fit in a workout before the workday began created additional stress. The rush to get everything done felt like an added burden, rather than a relief, which counteracted the supposed benefits of starting my day with exercise.
Evening Workouts: The Benefits
As I shifted my focus to evening workouts, I discovered how they could transform into a vital part of my self-care routine. This change not only helped me unwind but also turned exercise into a more enjoyable and effective practice.
Benefits:
Stress Relief: Evening workouts became a cherished time for me to decompress and unwind. After a day filled with meetings and deadlines, exercising in the evening felt like a perfect way to release stress and focus solely on my fitness.
Self-Care Routine: Incorporating exercise into my evening routine evolved into a meaningful form of self-care. I’d finish my workout, enjoy a refreshing shower, and then embrace the calmness of the evening. This ritual became a key part of my winding-down process.
More Energy: With my body fully awake and fueled, evening workouts allowed me to push myself harder. I found that I could engage more effectively and enjoy my sessions more, leading to better results and a greater sense of accomplishment.
Cons:
Possible Sleep Disruption: One downside was that if I worked out too close to bedtime, it occasionally affected my ability to fall asleep immediately. However, once I adjusted my workout timing to allow for adequate wind-down time, this became less of an issue.
Consistency Challenges: Ensuring that evening plans didn’t interfere with my workout routine required some planning. However, with a bit of organization, I managed to integrate evening workouts into my schedule without too much trouble.
Why Night Workouts Work Better for Me
After trying both morning and night workouts, I discovered that evening exercise fit seamlessly into my self-care routine. With my 9-5 schedule, working out after work allowed me to transition from the demands of the day into a relaxed, personal time. I’d wrap up my day, hit the gym, and come home to a refreshing shower—a perfect way to unwind and reset before evening activities.
For me, night workouts became not just about fitness but about integrating exercise into a self-care ritual that helped me close the day on a positive note.
Ultimately, whether morning or evening workouts are better depends on your personal schedule, lifestyle, and fitness goals. While science provides insights into peak calorie burning times and other benefits, the key takeaway is that consistency matters more than the specific time of day. Enjoying your workouts and finding a time that fits your routine is crucial for maintaining a regular exercise regimen. So, experiment with both and choose the time that helps you stay committed and motivated.
Whether you prefer mornings or evenings, the goal is to enjoy your workouts and stay committed to your fitness journey. After all, finding joy in your routine and sticking with it is far more beneficial than adhering to an inconvenient schedule that might make you dread your workouts.
Love,
Rae
Image Credits - Hardeep Singh and KoolShooters
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