What's the Best Time to Workout?

Like most health and fitness related topics, there is not a one size fits all answer to what time is best to workout? Finding the best time to exercise is a personal thing because it depends on your own body clock and schedule.

MSNBC talked to some experts to see when they think it's best to hit the gym and here are the results:

Working out in the PM:

• WHAT: Doing high impact activities (kick boxing, cycling, etc) and building muscle mass.
• WHO: People who don't like to wake up when it's still dark out and those who like not having to spend as much time stretching (your heart and muscles are more prepared for the stress of exercise in the afternoon).
• WHY: Your body's temperature tends to rise by a few degrees in the afternoon, warming the muscles and connective tissues and resulting in a slight improvement in your performance capabilities. Also, there may not be enough glycogen in your muscles to support an effective workout in the morning.

To find out if working out in the AM or being a weekend warrior is better for you, then read more

Working out in the AM:

• WHAT: Losing the most weight.
• WHO: Early risers and those seriously committed to working out.
• WHY: Doing cardio on a nearly empty stomach will burn more fat calories because your carb reserves are almost used up, which causes the body to turn to fat stores for energy first. (Do eat a little something though, so you're not entirely running on empty). Plus, working out in the AM means it's over and done so you wont be burdened for the rest of your day.

One power-workout a week:

• WHAT: Getting it all in, in one huge, power-workout.
• WHO: People with no time to workout but on Saturday afternoons.
• WHY (NOT): No one should really opt for this because if you run the same number of miles in one day as you would have over three or four short sessions, you may burn the same amount of calories but you'll lose out on other health benefits. It's a better idea to spread it out with 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there.

To read the full article, check out MSNBC.com