Today I came across an article that talked about the ongoing controversy surrounding the best time of day to exercise. I asked myself the question, and the answer seemed pretty evident to me: “Any time of the day, as long as you get it done!”

To me, the time of day that you exercise is not as important as just making sure that you do exercise. I care that you develop an exercise habit because I know that if you do, you will be healthier and stronger for it.

In my own experience, I have found that doing my cardio work first thing in the morning is the ticket to higher energy during the first half of my day. I also like the fact that I am doing cardio on an empty stomach after fasting all night, so my body accessed its fat stores more easily.

On the other hand, I get better weight training workouts in the afternoon. I feel that my body is more “awake” in the afternoon. There is scientific evidence supporting my personal observation. It seems that we have circadian rhythms that control many of our body’s biological processes. Circadian rhythms, which originate in the brain, work like an internal clock in the body. Neuron signals are fired out by the hypothalamus region of the brain, and this in turn controls sleep patterns, blood pressure, moods, and… you guessed it, energy and strength levels.

According to Dr. Phyllis Zee of Northwestern University, circadian rhythms also control body temperature, which is a key element of a more productive workout. According to Zee, by the afternoon, body temperature rises one to two degrees making muscles more pliable, which reduces the risk of injury. Click here for more, in the CNN article.

There are times when you just can’t work out at your regular time. Don’t sweat it, just go with the flow and get the workout as soon as you can. Consistency is your ally in your quest for a lean body.

By Lee Labrada – a former IFBB Mr. Universe and IFFB Pro World Cup winner. He is one of few men in history to place in the top four in the Mr. Olympia seven consecutive times, and was recently inducted into the IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Hall of Fame. Lee is President/CEO of Houston-based Labrada Nutrition.
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