When is the best time to workout?

As an online fitness program, we here at HIIT HART are always intrigued by questions like these.

While some members embrace the mornings, signing in and completing a WOD by 7am; others complete their sessions in the wee hours of the night.

And I’m sure somewhere in between lies your own unique preferences.

But amidst this variation, a burning question persists:

Is there truly a best time to workout?

Our research on the subject presents a maze of conflicting perspectives.

While some studies advocate for midday to afternoon workouts for optimal physiological benefits; other advocate for early mornings as the ideal for a workout’s effectiveness.

And if that weren’t enough, new research on the relationship between exercise and sleep suggest that evening workouts may be best.

Now given all this contradictory information, one thing that we can all agree on is that moving, regardless of time of day, is most important.

And…

That the ideal workout time is something that is very highly individual given the circumstances in your daily living.

Finding The Right Time for You

Whether you’re a morning person or night owl, consistency going to be at the heart of success.

This means creating a routine that you can commit to regularly; day or night.

After all, who wants to spend their time sweating and not seeing results?

Creating your optimal day…workouts included

You’ve probably heard the saying, “fail to plan; plan to fail” and for good reason.

This is why tailoring your workouts into your daily schedule is co crucial to your success.

Now while everyone’s schedule is going to be different, here are a few guidelines we always suggest:

Prioritize Sleep: Regardless of how much you have on your proverbial plate, never compromise on sleep. Understand the importance of and respect your body’s need for rest. Without adequate sleep (7+ hours ideally), even the most well-crafted fitness routine may falter.

Play To Your Strengths: Play into your natural energy patterns. This means whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, work with your body instead of fighting against it.

Set Clear Goals: It’s important to clearly define your fitness objectives and set realistic timelines for them.

Stay Flexible: Life can be unpredictable, and so can our schedules. It’s in large part why we structured HIIT HART the way we did. Our WODs are available 24 hours a day so that you can workout when you have the time.. Remember its consistency reigns supreme in the long run.

Start Small: If you’re new to working out, it’s important to begin your journey with manageable steps. The goal here is to cultivate daily habits that gradually build momentum, rather than burnout.

Embrace Community: While we may be an online fitness program, it’s important to seek camaraderie in your fitness pursuits. Finding like-minded individuals and building connections, even through social media sites like Instagram, can bolster your motivation and accountability.

In the end, remember: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to fitness.

Whether you’re up seizing the morning or crushing at WOD at night, prioritize a routine that resonates with you.