While some people love to start the day by moving their bodies or take advantage of their lunch break at work to exercise, others naturally prefer train at night. Proof of this are the weight rooms and gym classes, which tend to get crowded in the late afternoon.
The fact is that many people feel that their energy levels are higher at night. In addition, the body is also full of food, which means that you won't have to fight hunger or lack of energy, as you might at other times.
On the other hand, eating too much can slow down your body and cause abdominal discomfort during physical activities. It is recommended to eat one to two hours before training to avoid these problems. With this in mind, we have listed the main pros and cons of training at night, according to research and studies.
Advantages of training at night
1
You are more likely to perform at your best in training
When you really want to push yourself and test your limits, it may be best to leave your workout for later in the day.
Studies have shown that physical performance—strength, speed, power, endurance, for example—peaks in the afternoon or evening. This is due to the body’s circadian rhythm and fluctuations in hormones, metabolism, and core body temperature.
2
You can do several things at the same time
It’s more common for people to watch TV, read a book, or listen to music in the evening. So if you have a treadmill, exercise bike, or other cardio equipment at home, you can do both at the same time.
The same goes for the gym, especially in the later hours of the day, when the place is already emptier and there is no need to rotate the equipment.
3
You can increase metabolism
While the benefits and purpose of exercise can go far beyond burning calories, research comparing metabolic responses to morning and evening exercise found that metabolic rate increased more after evening sessions than morning sessions.
4
You can relieve the stress of the day
Difficult meeting at work? Traffic jams on the way home? An evening workout can relieve stress and help you feel calmer before bed, as it allows you to release all the nerves you’ve accumulated over the last few hours.
Disadvantages of night training
1
It is more likely that you will miss
Frequency can be an issue for those who train late in the day, as distractions, obligations, and a variety of other things can come up, putting a damper on plans to go to the gym.
A good example is if you feel exhausted after a long day and choose to go to happy hour with friends or run to the couch at home instead of going to yoga class.
Those who train during the day can complete this task before even starting their routine activities, making it more difficult for something to happen along the way to disrupt their trip to the gym.
2
It can disrupt sleep
For some people, exercise can be like an energy drink, as it keeps the body alert and connected and gets the heart racing, making it difficult to sleep.
However, not all types of exercise can disrupt sleep – some can even improve it.
This is the case with yoga or stretching, which are great options to do before bed, as they help you connect with your body and your breathing.
This attitude, in turn, can help alleviate the worries of the day and prevent the mind from “traveling” for hours before falling asleep, allowing you to fall asleep quickly and get the rest you need.
