Lose weight and build muscle: This is the time of day you should exercise

Regular exercise is one of the basic building blocks for a long, healthy life. Physical activity strengthens endurance and muscles and boosts fat burning. They can also support the cardiovascular system, strengthen the immune system and have a positive effect on mental health.

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In order to be able to see the fastest possible physical success, we adapt our training plan and nutrition to our goals, increase weight and intensity, plan regeneration phases or increase the frequency of sports units.

Time of day affects performance level and training success

However, other factors can also affect the level of performance during training. An actual
Study
from the USA shows that the time of day we train can also have an impact on our training success. There is a clear difference between the sexes.

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Women can lose weight better in the morning

The study results show that women burn more fat when exercising in the morning, while men achieve a better effect in the evening. For the study, the scientists had 30 men and 26 women between the ages of 25 and 55 complete various sports exercises at different times of the day over a period of twelve weeks.

The subjects were divided into two groups, each trained for an hour a day and completed the same exercises. They also all received the same diet.

While the first group did their daily training before 8.30 a.m., the second group trained in the evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Before and after the examination period, the scientists examined parameters such as blood pressure, body fat percentage, strength and flexibility in all participants.

Big differences in women

Although all subjects achieved results, there were clear differences between the two groups. The results at different times of the day differed significantly for women in particular, while the differences were less pronounced for men.

Appropriate training time by target

Paul Arcerio, leader of the study and professor at Skidmore College in New York, summarizes the results as follows:

Training session in the morning:

• For
  Women
  to lose weight and burn fat

• For
  Women
  to lower blood sugar levels

Training session in the evening:

• For
  men
  and
  Women
  to build strength and muscle

• For
  men
  to boost metabolism, heart health and emotional state

According to the study, it has not yet been conclusively explained why there is such a clear difference between the sexes. Fluctuations in hormone levels and body temperature can be a possible influencing factor. The diet before and after training also has an effect on training performance and subsequent success.

Other studies show the effects of the time of day

With the help of
“Atlas of kinetic metabolism”
which records the different phases of the human biorhythm, researchers led by Helmholtz Munich and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have already recognized training differences at different times of the day.

Exercising on an empty stomach promotes fat burning

This study also recommends exercising in the morning on an empty stomach for people who want to lose fat in a targeted manner.

On the other hand, if you want to actively build muscle, you should postpone your training until the evening. By eating throughout the day, the body has enough energy available, which it can provide quickly and in high doses during training. Strength athletes in particular are dependent on glucose from food or the liver.

In the evening you have the most strength

Since the liver’s glucose stores are only completely replenished in the late afternoon or early evening, the optimal training effect is only achieved then. The body is able to push itself to its individual limits.

Last but not least, the hormone level also influences the success of the evening training session. Since the body temperature and the level of numerous messenger substances are higher, muscle growth is specifically promoted. Due to the increased body temperature, the muscles are more flexible and less susceptible to injuries.

The main thing is sports

Finally, the study emphasizes that the best time to exercise is when you feel ready and can fit the training session into your own schedule – after all, exercise should always be fun and not lead to additional stress.

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