Is exercising in the evening a bad idea?

Exercising in the evening is touted as a bad idea for your health. But is it really bad? Let's find out from experts if you should exercise in the evening or not.
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Is exercising in the evening a bad idea? Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Arushi Bidhuri Published: 25 Apr 2023, 19:36 pm IST
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We all know that exercise is important for your overall health, but what time is the best for you has always been a debate! You must have heard that exercising first thing in the morning is ideal, but how bad is working out in the evening? Does it lead to dire consequences? Let’s find out.

Scroll down to know if working out at night is good or bad for your health.

Is exercise in the evening bad for your health?

Exercise is beneficial, even if you do it in the evening. It could be a problem if you work out too close to your bedtime. Did you know that your body temperature drops after 7 o’clock? You may start feeling sleepy after a certain time at night. Exercising can disrupt your sleep cycle because it triggers the release of energetic substances like adrenaline. Evening workouts could interfere with daily responsibilities, especially if they tend to mount throughout the day.

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Know if exercising in the evening is a good idea for you. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Diksha Chhabra, Fitness Trainer, and Nutritionist says that moderate exercise in the evening is not good for your sleep but doing high-intensity workouts can have a negative impact on your sleep efficiency and lead you to wake up more times during sleep which can also lead to a tired start to your next day. However, if you are someone who can only work out in the later hours of the day then go for less intense workouts. You can swap it with light jogging or yoga.

However, it is still better than no exercise at all. Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder Director, of Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals told Health Shots, “Exercising in the evening is not necessarily a bad idea as it can provide many benefits for your health and well-being.”

He adds that for some people exercising in the evening can disrupt their sleep, making it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. In such cases, it may be better to exercise earlier in the day or in the morning. One potential benefit of exercising in the evening is that it can help you unwind and release stress after a long day. It can also boost your metabolism and promote better sleep, which is essential for good health.

What is the best time to exercise?

Ultimately, the best time of day to exercise is the time that works best for you and fits into your schedule. If you find that exercising in the evening works well for you and helps you achieve your fitness goals, then there is no reason why you should avoid it, explains Dr Bajaj.

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Know if you should exercise in the morning or evening. Image courtesy: Adobe stock

Also, Diksha shares that people who usually exercise in the morning are most likely to stay consistent with their workouts as compared to those who prefer workouts in the afternoon or evening. A lack of motivation can also ruin your evening plans after a long day. However, you can build consistency by scheduling your workout and sticking to your commitment.

The key is to be consistent with your routine to achieve your goals. However, Diksha recommends working out in the morning, if possible, for people trying to lose weight. Working out 4-5 days a week for 45 minutes a day is enough for most people who usually struggle with busy schedules for both weight management and overall fitness.

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About the Author

Arushi Bidhuri is a journalist with 7 years of experience in writing, editing, and conceptualizing story ideas in different genres, including health and wellness, lifestyle, politics, beauty, fashion, etc. Arushi has a strong connection in the industry that helps her write concise and original stories as she believes in working towards writing pieces that can enlighten people. ...Read More

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