Best time for Exercise

There's a lot of debate over what time of day is best to workout. Some people say you should hit the gym first thing in the morning to rev up metabolism and burn off fat stores. Others think you should workout in the afternoon, preferably before your midday meal. Then, there's a new study that says 4pm to 7pm is prime time for fitness. Let's look at the top reasons to exercise in each time slot:

Morning:

• Surveys show people who exercise first thing are more likely to stick with their routine.
  
• Helps boost energy levels and wake you up.
• Air pollution and temperature are lower in the morning.
  

Afternoon:

• Lunch hour worokouts boost mood / energy for the rest of the workday.
• Great opportunity to recruit a fitness buddy from work.
• Boosts metabolism before your next meal.
  

Late Afternoon / Evening:

• Lung capacity appears to be best during this time.
• Muscles are completely warmed up, which reduces injury risk.
• Relieves stress and promotes sounder sleep.

Ultimately, you want to pick the exercise time that's right for you. Try to keep it consistent, though, because your body adjusts to your workout schedule. Also, avoid working out when you're starving or right before bedtime. Both can have negative effects on your body.