Is it better to train in the morning, afternoon, or evening? ⏱️

Have you ever heard that you should run in the morning to burn more fat? Or that evenings are better for good sleep? A new study, conducted by an international team of researchers, sets the record straight—or rather, loosens it a bit.


Scientists from Canada, the Netherlands, the United States, and Lebanon looked into a question many people ask: what is the best time of day to exercise?

And their answer might surprise you...

They analyzed 16 studies involving over 400 participants, each asked to work out at specific times of the day. Then, they compared the effects of these schedules on several criteria: hunger, fatigue, mood, sleep quality, muscle soreness, and overall well-being.

The verdict? No particular time of day really stands out. At least, not based on these criteria. Whether you train in the morning, afternoon, or evening, the effects are largely the same.

This is confirmed by Jean-Pierre Després, a professor at Université Laval and co-author of the study: "Most research does not find a strong link between workout timing and perceived effects." He offers an explanation: "Our biological rhythms vary greatly from person to person. What's ideal for one isn't necessarily ideal for another."

He adds that sticking to a regular routine, whatever it may be, can already be beneficial. The key is to create a habit. Our bodies are designed to function with cycles: wake-sleep, activity-rest. And it's often our bad habits (lack of sleep, irregular schedules) that disrupt these natural cycles.

In other words, there may not be one universal best time to exercise, but the worst time is the one that doesn't exist: not exercising at all.

So if you needed a green light to move whenever you can: here it is. No matter the time. The best time to train... is the one you can stick to!

The full study can be read here: Plos One