Training & Sports Perfect TimingLife is time. Timing – that’s different. Some think timing is everything. Timing intense exercise just got easier.
The best timing for workouts has to do with workout goals. Exercising in the morning jump starts metabolism for the day. Any dieter can get an edge by hitting the gym in the AM. New studies done on men showed that working out in the afternoon or early evening punches up workout intensity – more than any other time of day.
If your goal is a power breakout - studies measuring power output; aerobic capacity; and reaction time, found that men got their best performance bounce during afternoons and early evenings. It’s from 4PM to 7PM that testosterone levels are highest, with less cortisol - a muscle growth blocker. Combining this ideal hormone ratio with afternoon muscles that are warmer and more flexible can easily explain the 4-7 PM power surge. Late day’s power potential for men means the most calories burned per hour and a new pool of energy to use ‘til you sleep.
One problem. Late afternoon is when we hit an energy melt-down. Pushing against that can be as hard as any workout. If you’re busy or full of excuses, the best time to exercise is any time you do it. Train in the morning if that’s the time it gets done, and try to add in some afternoon workouts for that extra push. Do it at night if you’ve put if off all day. It may not be an ideal time, but it’s an ideal use of time.
Timing a whey protein shake within 2 hours of a workout means a muscle meal formulated to fuel any power pop. That’s perfect timing.
The best timing for workouts has to do with workout goals. Exercising in the morning jump starts metabolism for the day. Any dieter can get an edge by hitting the gym in the AM. New studies done on men showed that working out in the afternoon or early evening punches up workout intensity – more than any other time of day.
If your goal is a power breakout - studies measuring power output; aerobic capacity; and reaction time, found that men got their best performance bounce during afternoons and early evenings. It’s from 4PM to 7PM that testosterone levels are highest, with less cortisol - a muscle growth blocker. Combining this ideal hormone ratio with afternoon muscles that are warmer and more flexible can easily explain the 4-7 PM power surge. Late day’s power potential for men means the most calories burned per hour and a new pool of energy to use ‘til you sleep.
One problem. Late afternoon is when we hit an energy melt-down. Pushing against that can be as hard as any workout. If you’re busy or full of excuses, the best time to exercise is any time you do it. Train in the morning if that’s the time it gets done, and try to add in some afternoon workouts for that extra push. Do it at night if you’ve put if off all day. It may not be an ideal time, but it’s an ideal use of time.
Timing a whey protein shake within 2 hours of a workout means a muscle meal formulated to fuel any power pop. That’s perfect timing.
