Morning, noon or night — when you break a sweat can make all the difference. Science is discovering that our body clocks don’t just tell us when to sleep, but also when we perform best. Recent research suggests men may benefit more from evening workouts, building strength and endurance after sundown, while women often gain the edge in morning sessions, especially for fat-burning and mood.
Age plays its part too. Younger bodies bounce into early cardio with ease, while older exercisers often find their rhythm later in the day, when joints are looser and reaction times sharper. And then there’s the workout itself — yoga at sunrise can align circadian rhythms and calm the mind, while weight training or high-intensity intervals after work may maximise performance and recovery.
Timing your sweat session can even influence sleep: vigorous evening exercise might delay melatonin release for some, yet promote deeper rest for others once the body cools down. The takeaway? Tune in to your own internal metronome. Whether you’re a dawn runner or a twilight spinner, syncing movement with your personal rhythm could be the real secret to lifelong vitality.
