Workout Timing Matters: When to Exercise for Weight Loss vs. Weight Gain

Your exercise timing can play a big role in how your body reacts to exercise. According to health expert Suman Aggarwal, the time you choose to work out affects your cortisol levels, fat-burning ability and even sleep quality. If you want to lose weight or want to gain weight, choosing the right time can help you get better results.

Best Time to Exercise for Weight Loss

If you want to lose weight, morning training is the most effective. You naturally have higher levels of cortisol in the morning, which aids in burning fat. Because your body has fasted through the night, your glucose (sugar) level is low. This means that your body begins to burn fat very quickly for energy, generally within 20 minutes.

Additionally, after sleeping for eight hours, your metabolism has slowed down. A morning exercise is effective in getting it boosted again, increasing the burning of calories during the day. Furthermore, exercising in the morning may set the stage for a healthy day.

Best Time to Exercise for Weight Gain

If your goal is to gain weight, do not exercise on an empty stomach. You will be burning fat, which you don't want if you're already lean. Instead, eat something before your workout, something rich in protein and carbohydrates, such as a fruit smoothie or eggs with toast.

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You can also consume a protein-carb drink after exercising to aid in muscle development. Working out in the evenings is good for gaining weight since your body temperature is higher, thus your strength output. Just don't exercise too near bedtime since it may interfere with sleep.