When someone cribs about not having the time to workout, I usually find my trainer assertively suggest that they make time for exercise in their schedules. If you’re making time for exercise, which part of your schedule should you clear up? Should you wake up earlier to fit in a morning workout? Or is a quick brisk walk before lunch helpful? What if I hit the gym at 8pm?

“I have an erratic schedule. Mornings are the only time I have free,” says Shefali, a management trainee. The days that she misses her morning workout with the resolve to workout at some point during the rest of the day, she ends up not working out at all. Nutrition consultant Naini Setalvad thinks that Shefali does her body a great favour by working out in the mornings. “Morning workouts are essential to fire up your metabolism & sustain a good metabolic rate throughout the day,” says Naini. Though there is no evidence that proves that a morning workout burns fat more efficiently than an evening workout, research shows that those who have trouble being consistent at the gym, benefit the most from morning workouts.

Consistent workouts, according to fitness consultant Vicky Goraksha, are highly beneficial. He explains that as long as you pick a time to work out and stick to it, your body manages to get into a rhythm to burn fat. Vicky strongly advocates evening workouts though. “Your body needs to recover with a good meal and proper rest. Morning workouts might fire up your metabolism, but immediately after the workout, you get a quick breakfast and start through your hectic routine. That can harm your body!” According to Vicky, the best way to rest your body is to get proper sleep and after an evening workout, a well-balanced dinner and sleep are guaranteed.

Lalita, a student, hits the gym at 3.30 in the afternoon. “Though I tried working out in the mornings, the crowded gym was discouraging. Also, the waiting for equipment to get free used to feel like a waste of time.” Lalita also noticed that the afternoon workout yielded the best results for her because she felt a physical lull at this time and the workout spiced her up. With proper water intake, forcing your body to be active during this time could yield better results from your workout.

That said, with busy schedules and hectic lifestyles, one may not have the luxury to choose the time that they’d like to go to the gym. As long as you make sure you hydrate yourself throughout the workout and follow-up the workout with a healthy high-protein snack and you’ll be ok.

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