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Are morning or night workouts better? Here’s what experts say.
What’s the best time for working out: morning, afternoon or evening?
Experts say it depends on your goals, but that any movement — no matter the time of day — is better than none.
“What I tell my patients is work out when you can,” medical weight loss physician Dr. Sue Decotiis recently told CBS News. “If it’s easier and more convenient for you to get to the gym in the morning, then go ahead and do that. If you can’t get there until the afternoon, then do that.”
When it comes to working out at different times of the day, Mauro Maietta, Crunch Fitness district fitness manager, says there are some differences to consider.
Morning workouts: “Exercising in the morning can help boost your metabolism and energy levels throughout the day and be a great way to establish a consistent routine,” Maietta says.
In a study published last year, researchers observed a “strong linear association” between working out and lowered obesity for people who exercised in the morning compared to afternoon and evening groups.
Afternoon workouts: “Working out in the afternoon can serve as a stress reliever after a long day,” Maietta says. “Plus, body temperature and muscle flexibility tend to peak in the late afternoon making it a good time for more intense workouts.”
Evening workouts: Working out in the evening can help you relieve stress from the day and unwind, Maietta says.
If you are opting for evening workouts, however, Maietta says it’s important to finish up at least a few hours before bedtime to avoid sleep disruption.
“At least ensure you set aside 15 to 20 minutes for a substantial cooldown to bring your heart rate close to resting levels,” she says.
“Consistency is often more critical”
While exercising at different times of day may be tied to certain benefits, some researchers have found results may also differ between men and women.
A small study published in 2022 found women who worked out in the morning lost more fat and had greater reductions in blood pressure, while working out at night promoted muscle strength and enhanced mood. For men, the study found working out in the evening promoted more fat loss and greater reductions in blood pressure compared to working out in the morning.
“Ultimately, the best time and frequency for your workouts depends on your individual schedule, preferences, and how your body responds,” Maietta says.
You don’t have to set a chunk of time aside during a specific time of day for exercise, either. Micro-workouts — mini bursts of exercise, from as little as 20 seconds to a few minutes at a time — are great ways to incorporate short bouts of movement into your day.
CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook also suggests some simple “hacks” to fit extra movement into your day, like taking the stairs instead of an elevator or walking the last 10 blocks of your commute.
“Make it so that you’re not saying, ‘OK, now I have to do exercise’ — exercise becomes just part and parcel of how you live your life,” he says.
The bottom line: Consistency is key.
“It’s important to choose a time that allows you to be consistent with your exercise routine. Consistency is often more critical than the specific time of day you work out,” Maietta adds. “Listen to your body, adjust as needed, and consult with a fitness professional if you have specific goals or health considerations.”
NEW YORK — Former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson were attacked in New York City on Friday night, authorities said.
The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. on Second Avenue near East 96th Street on the Upper East Side, according to the New York City Police Department.
Police said officers were sent to the scene after an assault was reported. When officers arrived, police say they found a 20-year-old man suffering from facial injuries and a 70-year-old man who had head pain. Both victims were taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the former governor said the two were attacked while “taking a walk around the block near their home by some individuals that had a previous interaction with his stepson.”
The spokesperson said that they were injured “but were able to fight off their attackers.”
Both were taken to Cornell Hospital “as a precaution,” he added.
Police said no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
The 70-year-old Paterson, a Democrat, served as governor from 2008 to 2010, stepping into the post after the resignation of Eliot Spitzer following his prostitution scandal. He made history at the time as the state’s first-ever Black and legally blind governor.
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A 17-year-old boy was critically injured and a person is in custody after a gunman opened fire on a SEPTA bus in North Philadelphia Friday evening, police said.
At around 6:15 p.m., Philadelphia police were notified about a shooting on a SEPTA bus traveling on Allegheny Avenue near 3rd and 4th streets in North Philadelphia, Inspector D F Pace told CBS News Philadelphia.
There were an estimated 30 people on the bus at the time of the shooting, Pace said, but only the 17-year-old boy was believed to have been shot. Investigators said they believe it was a targeted attack on the teenager and that he was shot in the back of the bus at close range.
According to Pace, the SEPTA bus driver alerted a control center about the shooting, which then relayed the message to Philadelphia police, who responded to the scene shortly.
Officers arrived at the scene and found at least one spent shell casing and blood on the bus, but no shooting victim, Pace said. Investigators later discovered the 17-year-old had been taken to Temple University Hospital where he is said to be in critical condition, according to police.
CBS Philadelphia
Through their preliminary investigation, police learned those involved in the SEPTA shooting may have fled in a silver-colored Kia.
Authorities then found a car matching the description of the Kia speeding in the area and a pursuit began, Pace said. Police got help from a PPD helicopter as they followed the Kia, which ended up crashing at 5th and Greenwood streets in East Mount Airy. Pace said the Kia crashed into a parked car.
The driver of the crashed car ran away but police were still able to take them into custody, Pace said.
Investigators believe there was a second person involved in the shooting who ran from the car before it crashed. Police said they believe this person escaped near Allegheny Avenue and 4th Street, leaving a coat behind.
According to Pace, police also found a gun and a group of spent shell casings believed to be involved in the shooting in the same area.
“It’s very possible that there may have been a shooting inside the bus and also shots fired from outside of the bus toward the bus,” Pace said, “We’re still trying to piece all that together at this time.”
This is an active investigation and police are reviewing surveillance footage from the SEPTA bus.