When Is the Best Time to Exercise?

By Laurette Willis 

If you're not consistent with exercise, and you find that it's wearing you down instead of building you up, you may be interested in the work scientists are doing in the area of "circadian rhythms," the internal clocks God put in place within our physical bodies.

I've GOT RHYTHM…

Circadian rhythms, the daily cycles that govern certain physical processes, originate in the hypothalamus just above the brain stem.  They regulate everything from body temperature and blood pressure, to metabolism.

The influence of circadian rhythms on body temperature seems to have the greatest effect on the quality of the workout we have.  When your body temperature is at its highest, your workouts appear to be more productive.  They are likely to be less productive when your body temperature is low.

Your body temperature is lowest one to three hours before you wake up in the morning, and at its highest late in the afternoon.  Later in the day your muscles are warmer and more flexible, reaction time is quicker, blood pressure and resting heart rate are lower, and strength is at its peak.  Since studies have shown that exercise during these late afternoon/early evening hours produces better results, it would be good to determine what time that is for each of us.

Finding Your Peak Body Temperature

This will take a bit of work, but will be worth it if you really want to know your circadian peak body temperature.

1. Record your temperature every couple of hours for five or six days in a row.  Body temps usually fluctuate by 1.5 degrees, plus or minus, throughout the day.

2. Try exercising during the period three hours after your highest body temperature.

For most people, this will fall in the range between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.  If you are an early bird or night owl, the times may fluctuate two to three hours on either side of that, so adjust accordingly.

The ABSOLUTE BEST Time to Exercise

If stress relief is your goal, exercise always works, all the time.  And if you're wondering when it's best to train for an upcoming event, it all depends on what time you'll actually be competing.  If an upcoming marathon begins at 7:00 a.m., try training at that time of day.  The best time to exercise overall?  Whenever you will DO it!

If you already have a schedule that works for you, "don't fix it if it ain't broke!”  For some, first thing in the morning is best; for others during lunchtime, and for others as soon as they return home from work and before dinner.

According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), those who exercise in the morning are most successful in making exercise a habit.  ACE also recommends that if you prefer an early morning workout, "emphasize stretching and a good warm-up to insure that your body is ready for action."

We would add that combining stretching exercises with the Word and prayer (as we do in PraiseMoves!) can help make a good habit even better—transforming your workouts into worship!

Laurette Willis, Christian Fitness Expert and author, is the Director of PraiseMoves® Fitness Ministry, offering fitness programs, DVDs, books and instructor training for those interested in a Christian ALTERNATIVE to yoga, plus fitness for spirit, soul, and body.  Laurette would like to invite you to get her free "Fit Favorites Devotional" and PraiseMoves FitNews at http://praisemoves.com.  © 2009