Exercise is always good for your health, but a recent US study suggests that the perfect time to work out may be different for men and women. Researchers found that the benefits of exercise can depend not only on what you do but also on when you do it.
What the study says
The research involved 56 healthy men and women aged 25 to 55. They followed a 12-week fitness program that included stretching, sprinting, resistance training, and endurance workouts. One group exercised in the morning before 8.30 am, while the other group worked out in the evening between 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm. Everyone also followed a healthy meal plan designed for the study.
At the end of the program, all participants showed improvements in fitness, strength, flexibility, and overall health. But the results showed some key differences between women and men depending on the time of day they exercised.
Best time for women
For women who want to lose belly fat and lower blood pressure, morning workouts seem to be the best choice. Belly fat can be dangerous because it surrounds vital organs like the liver, so burning it is important for long-term health.
However, women who want to build upper body strength, feel better emotionally, and manage food intake may benefit more from evening workouts.
Best time for men
Men is the study gained strength in both evening and morning workouts, but the evening showed extra benefits. Exercising in the evening helped men improve heart health, boost metabolism, and support emotional wellbeing. Better metabolic health means lowering the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Why the difference?
The researchers believe that differences in hormones, body rhythms, and sleep cycles could explain why men and women respond differently to workout timing. Women may also burn more fat in the morning because they are more likely to have excess belly fat compared to men.
Although the study tracked healthy individuals, experts say these results could also apply to people who are overweight or obese, who may have even more to gain.
The best time to exercise is the time you can stick to consistently. But if you want to get the maximum results based on your goals, timing may play a role. For women aiming to burn fat and improve blood pressure, mornings may be ideal. For men who want to support heart and metabolic health, evenings might be the better choice.
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