Late-night workouts are an oxymoron to many people. Society has ingrained the belief that working out is best done during the day when the sun is out, and energy levels are high. But what if you could change your entire mindset about working out? What if you embraced late-night workouts as a time to focus on yourself and get in a better mood?
There are a lot of opinions on this topic, with people generally falling into two camps: those who think it’s terrible to work out after midnight and those who don’t see anything wrong with it. The truth is that whether or not it’s good to work out after midnight depends on a number of factors, such as when you last ate and how much sleep you’ve gotten. Here without biasing on one fact, we will discuss both pros and cons of working out after midnight so that you can get the answer to this most asked question.
What Are The Benefits Of Working Out After Midnight?
There are many benefits of working out after midnight, such as
Improve Your Performance
If you feel like your workouts are less effective in the morning, there’s a reason for that. A study from 2013 examined four physical activity indicators such as oxygen uptake and anaerobic capacity among twenty healthy men. They observed that the participants were able to exercise 20percent more frequently and for longer hours on reformer pilates during the evening hours compared to the morning hours. Studies have also demonstrated that a rise in body temperature in the later hours of the day is associated with greater flexibility and strength of muscles.
Blow Away Long Day Stress
Exercising early in the day provides you with an energy boost before you begin your day. However, exercising after your work or family obligations can indeed give you the chance to take a break, even for a short period, from the day’s stress due to the endorphins produced by exercise that positively affect your mood. Studies have also proven that exercise can assist in the prevention of tension.
Good Sleep
In contrast to the common opinion that exercising prior to going to bed won’t necessarily have a negative impact on your sleep if you’re engaging in a moderate activity such as a walk or bicycle ride. Doing moderate exercise before taking a nap can improve slow-wave sleep, the deepest phase of sleep. The most important factor is avoiding intense activities and keeping the intensity within the moderate range.
No Crowd
One of the most significant benefits is that there are usually fewer people at the gym to get more one-on-one attention from the staff. Additionally, the gym will be much quieter, so you can focus on your workout without distractions. Lastly, working out after midnight can help you burn more calories because your body works harder to maintain its core temperature.
Energetic Next Day
Another benefit to the nightly workout is that it can set the stage for a great tomorrow. In addition to lowering your anxiety and stress pressure levels, allowing you a good baby sleep, you’ll awake feeling rejuvenated and ready for the next challenging day.
Boost Nutrition
A review from 2015 revealed that active and young adults who consumed a protein drink following a workout and prior to going to bed had higher levels of amino acids than those who drank the placebo. This suggests that protein was more easily absorbed and digested while asleep.
What Are The Downsides Of Working Out After Midnight?
There are a number of potential downsides to working out after midnight, such as:
Exercise Can Disrupt Sleep
Moderate exercise is beneficial to your sleep; engaging in more strenuous things, such as intense interval training (HIIT), less than an hour before bedtime could negatively affect the quality of your sleep and lead you to get up earlier, often during your sleep. If you are the only person at night when you have to do an exercise session, you might want to consider an exercise that is less strenuous such as jogging for a short distance or yoga.
As per the health experts, the aerobic workout creates endorphins that stimulate the brain and keep an individual active. They recommend that to mitigate this effect, those who exercise in the evening should do so for at least one to two hours before bedtime so that the body has time to relax.
Lack of Group Classes
While some studios and gyms may have night classes, most instructor-led group exercises are available during the daytime or early in the evening hours. The schedule of classes later will be contingent on the location you live in. Be aware that there are advantages when you exercise with the whole group. One study revealed that those who took part in group fitness classes reported better physical and mental health than those who exercised alone or with at least two other participants.
Harder to Build Consistency
A study conducted in 2018 revealed that those who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick with their exercise routines than those who exercise at night or midnight. Also, you might not have enough energy to push yourself. Another is that you might be so tired from the day that working out will only make you more exhausted.
Bottomline
Working out after midnight used to be considered a no-no, but recent studies have shown some benefits to working out later in the evening. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before hitting the gym after sunset. If you’re looking for a workout that can be done any time of the day, contact Element Fitness Health Club. Contact us today to learn more about services and other fitness programs to help you meet your health and fitness goals. Visit us now to book your free trial fitness session.