What time of day do you workout?

There are many studies suggesting that a particular time of day is better for weight loss. Weight loss is the outcome most studies (and people) seem to put the focus. Weight loss is easy. Eat less, Walk more.

Let’s talk performance and results driven workouts as it relates to time of day.

Morning workouts vs Afternoon workouts vs Evening workouts.

Morning (first 4 hours of waking)

Afternoon (middle 6 hours of your day)

Evening (last 4-6 hours before bedtime)

Here’s my personal take…

Morning workouts are excellent for mindful movement and meditative practices. Here, you can begin your day with a focus on joint mobilization, dynamic flexibility, and body weight calisthenics. Cyclical patterns of movement with a prop are great ways to wake the mind and body together. Turkish Get-ups, Indian Club swings, Kettlebell and Steel Mace flows are examples of these meditative movements.

Afternoon workouts are excellent for metabolic training (energy systems) that incorporates circuits of free weight exercises and monostructural movements, like crawling, carries, or running. At Girya Garage, we focus primarily on kettlebell lifting, namely the snatch lift plus clean & jerk. Additionally we have conditioning circuits designed to test your speed and recovery.

Evening workouts are excellent for strength and power development that incorporates objects like barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, rocks, or heavy bags. Big lifts like squats, deadlifts, presses, rows, carries, and loaded get ups are all examples of exercises worth testing in the evening. Also sprints, sled pulls, and any kind of heavy carry. By this time of day, you’ve probably had 1 or 2 meals and are fueled for a performance driven training session.

In the end, we are all individuals and have our preferences. You make time for the things you want to consistently do.

I’m curious to hear from you on this topic.

Write below in the comments or direct message me and let’s have a discussion.

When do you perform strength and power work?

What time of day (or night) do you prefer to go for a run?

Do you have a standard meditative practice?

These are all things I can help you develop and manage.

• Will Parker