When is the Best Time of Day to Work Out - Essay Example

"When is the Best Time of Day to Work Out" is a significant example of a paper on fitness and exercise. 
The question regarding the appropriate time of the day to do workouts/exercises remains not fully addressed due to diverse arguments over this question. For a considerable period, exercise scientists have debated extensively over the pros and cons of doing workouts at different times of the day. To date, there is no defined time of the day that is described as the best time to carry out exercises. Exercise experts point out that the best time to carry out exercises is when a person can derive maximum benefits from the workouts. This implies that designing a workout schedule depends on an individual’s needs and how the chosen time is convenient for an individual (Lluch 35).

It is essential to select a workout schedule that is easy to stick with consistently in order to attain maximum benefits from the workouts. One vital thing when creating a consistent workout schedule is the ability to tune the circadian cycle in a way that conforms to the workout schedule. The circadian cycle helps in the regulation of blood pressure, metabolism, body temperature, and alertness. Therefore, tuning the circadian cycle to respond to the workout schedule enables a person to exercise consistently (Lluch 39).

People vary in as far as exercising relates to exercising habits. Some people are natural morning exercisers while others are afternoon exercisers. As already mentioned, exercising schedule is dependent on personal goals and convenience of the schedule (Lluch 43). For the purpose of this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of exercising at different times of the day will be discussed. These times are early mornings and afternoons since they are the most preferred by many people.

Workouts conducted in the morning come with a number of benefits, which include setting the pace for metabolic processes that burn up calories, production of endorphins that enable people to cheer up for a new day, and creating a build-up of energy that is essential for day’s activities.  In addition, exercises done in the morning are easy to adapt. The main disadvantages associated with morning exercises include high chances of getting injuries due to muscle stiffness, cold, and low level of energy. The other disadvantage is the likelihood of the body to catabolize fats and muscle tissues due to insufficient energy since most morning exercisers do it before eating (Hoeger & Hoeger 214).

From a physiological point of view, exercises carried out in the afternoon are the best. Benefits of afternoon exercises include reduced chances of getting injuries because muscles are strong and warm. Muscular strength is at its peak between 2 pm-6 pm; this enables afternoon exercisers to handle exercise pressures that can cause injuries. In the afternoon, the functioning of the lungs is at its peak than at any other time of the day, and this boosts physical strength. Alertness is also at its best in the afternoons compared to early mornings. The other benefit of evening exercises is the ability to release the body’s stress accumulated during working hours (Hoeger & Hoeger 217).

In conclusion, a comparison of the two times of the day indicates afternoon hours offer more physiological benefits than morning hours. Therefore, afternoon hours are the best for workouts. However, workout schedules should be chosen based on personal goals and convenience.