Training After Dark: Yay or Nay?

In an ideal world, many people would choose to smash out an early gym or exercise session before getting on with our day. I mean, how good is knowing that you don’t have to worry about exercising for the rest of the day?

But early starts and already-busy mornings – commuting, working or the morning rush getting youngsters ready for school – can eliminate any opportunity to work out. Then you’re left with two choices – skip exercise for the day or work out at night – and we all know what we should choose!

With Daylight Saving Time done and dusted, the greatest downside to night training – apart from the chilly weather – is feeling wired before bed.

We all need our sleep and during a 16-week IsaBody Challenge® it’s important to ensure you’re giving your body the best chance to recover overnight. The big question is ‘Will training at night ruin your sleep?’

We’re here to put your mind at ease. In 2011, researchers found that participants who exercised vigorously for 35 minutes before bed slept as well as they did on nights without exercise. It’s also known that while morning exercisers fall asleep faster than afternoon and evening trainers, it is in fact the evening trainers who actually slept through the night better than their inactive and morning exercise counterparts.

At the end of the day, any exercise is better than none at all! Just because you can’t work out in the morning doesn’t mean you have a get-out-of-jail-free card. The best time to exercise is whenever you’re most likely to do it. You might even find that the gym or path is less crowded than usual, so you can train without interruption. Of course, safety should be your number one priority. If you’re exercising outside, stick to well-lit areas you know are safe or find a friend to join you.

Don’t let lack of daylight dampen your training progress! Find a program and schedule that works for you and stick to it. Need a little advice? Reach out to the IsaBody Challenge® community for help. In a group of almost 10k members you’re sure to find someone with a shared experience.