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Struggling to make your sweat session a habit? You’re not alone. Only 47% of Americans aged 18 and older are hitting the recommended aerobic exercise goals and only 24.2% of Americans are reaching both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise recommendations.The current exercise recommendations for healthy adults age 18-65 include at least five days a week of moderate aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes, plus an activity that increases muscular strength or endurance two days each week.

Many of us trying to get healthier, and “exercise more” is consistently a health goal for many. Since we know that exercise is one of the best, most efficient and affordable ways toreduce risk for several chronic diseaseswhileboosting mental health, researchers are showing us how can we stick with it for real this time.

The Best Time to Exercise to Lose Weight, According to Certified Trainers

What Does the Research Say?

Turns out, when we choose to work out can make a massive difference. One study found thatsetting a consistent exercise time is a powerful way to make it more likely to happen.Morning workouts, in particular, were also shown to enhance weight loss among participants with obesity.The study authors believe this could be the result of:

Truthfully, the research is inconclusive on the best time to exercise. However, many researchers agree that the best time to exercise is the time that is best for you, your schedule and your health conditions.The scientific community is pretty certain that marking the same time slot on your calendar daily, whenever feels most energizing and achievable for you, is the ultimate prescription tomake exercise more of a habit.

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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics.Exercise or physical activity.American College of Sports Medicine.Physical activity guidelines.Schumacher LM, Thomas JG, Raynor HA, Rhodes RE, Bond DS.Consistent morning exercise may be beneficial for individuals with obesity.Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2020;48(4):201-208. doi:10.1249/JES.0000000000000226Riddell MC, Turner LV, Patton SR.Is there an optimal time of day for exercise? A commentary on when to exercise for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr. 2023;36(2):146-150. doi:10.2337/dsi22-0017

Sources

EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics.Exercise or physical activity.American College of Sports Medicine.Physical activity guidelines.Schumacher LM, Thomas JG, Raynor HA, Rhodes RE, Bond DS.Consistent morning exercise may be beneficial for individuals with obesity.Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2020;48(4):201-208. doi:10.1249/JES.0000000000000226Riddell MC, Turner LV, Patton SR.Is there an optimal time of day for exercise? A commentary on when to exercise for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr. 2023;36(2):146-150. doi:10.2337/dsi22-0017

EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics.Exercise or physical activity.American College of Sports Medicine.Physical activity guidelines.Schumacher LM, Thomas JG, Raynor HA, Rhodes RE, Bond DS.Consistent morning exercise may be beneficial for individuals with obesity.Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2020;48(4):201-208. doi:10.1249/JES.0000000000000226Riddell MC, Turner LV, Patton SR.Is there an optimal time of day for exercise? A commentary on when to exercise for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr. 2023;36(2):146-150. doi:10.2337/dsi22-0017

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics.Exercise or physical activity.

American College of Sports Medicine.Physical activity guidelines.

Schumacher LM, Thomas JG, Raynor HA, Rhodes RE, Bond DS.Consistent morning exercise may be beneficial for individuals with obesity.Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2020;48(4):201-208. doi:10.1249/JES.0000000000000226

Riddell MC, Turner LV, Patton SR.Is there an optimal time of day for exercise? A commentary on when to exercise for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr. 2023;36(2):146-150. doi:10.2337/dsi22-0017