Is it okay to workout at night?

Author: Demarco Crona  |  Last update: Thursday, October 23, 2025

A. Traditionally, experts have recommended not exercising at night as part of good sleep hygiene. However, a small study, published in Sports Medicine suggests that some people can exercise in the evening as long as they avoid vigorous activity for at least one hour before bedtime.

Can I workout at night and still lose weight?

Yes, exercising at night can help in burning fat. There are a few reasons for this: Your body temperature is naturally higher at night. This means that you will burn more calories during your workout. Your body produces more growth hormone at night. Growth hormone helps to build muscle, which in turn helps to burn fat.

Is it a bad idea to work out at night?

Physical activity in the evening does not cause sleep problems. Contrary to popular belief, there is no reason to avoid exercising in the evening, an analysis of the scientific literature has revealed.

Is 7 PM too late to workout?

Yes, exercising in the evening, such as at 7:00 PM, is generally safe for most people. In fact, evening workouts can offer several benefits: Increased Performance: Many individuals find that they perform better in the evening due to higher body temperatures and increased muscle function.

Will I gain weight if I sleep after exercise?

If you're wondering about weight gain from sleeping post-exercise, rest assured that sleep is a crucial part of recovery and does not directly lead to weight gain. Getting adequate sleep is essential to a healthy lifestyle and can contribute to overall well-being, including weight management.

Essentials: Master Your Sleep & Be More Alert When Awake

How late is too late to workout at night?

Despite the findings in this particular study, I generally recommend against strenuous physical activity for at least two hours before getting into bed. In addition to regular exercise, you can help achieving quality sleep by doing the following: Set a regular bedtime and adopt a relaxing bedtime routine.

Is working at night bad for health?

Research shows that night shift workers have a higher incidence of serious health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, obesity, heart disease, pregnancy complications and certain cancers, including colorectal cancer. Insomnia and other sleep disorders are also common.

What is the best time to workout to lose belly fat?

Overall, the experts agree: Exercising in the morning is the best time of day to work out for logistical, effective and health reasons. When it comes to weight loss, a 2023 study published in the journal Obesity found exercising between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. could help.

Is working out at night bad for gains?

In fact, a 2016 study from Finland found that a combined program of strength and endurance training could lead to greater gains in muscle mass when performed in the evening rather than the morning (Here are 7 reasons you aren't building as much muscle as you could).

Will I see results if I workout at night?

For men, the study found working out in the evening promoted more fat loss and greater reductions in blood pressure compared to working out in the morning. "Ultimately, the best time and frequency for your workouts depends on your individual schedule, preferences, and how your body responds," Maietta says.

Is it okay to shower after a workout?

However, you must allow time lag between exercise and bathing. The most important thing you can do after a workout is to cool down to get your heart rate and body temperature back to normal. After cooling down for at least 20 minutes, then you can decide to take a shower.

Should I workout on an empty stomach?

The final verdict? Exercising in a fasted state may burn some quick body fat, but it's not the best option for your body in the long-run. Eat a small snack or meal before and after your workout to ensure that you're properly fueled to perform your best in the gym and recover quickly when you get home.

Is 20 pushups a night good?

Keeping all those factors in mind, Samuel says you should be able to work up to three sets of 20 to 25 pushups a day, if you really want to. Sure, you might hear from guys who double or even triple that number—but their reps aren't going to be as effective as yours in the long run.

Why do I sleep badly after exercise?

When your body temperature remains elevated you are very likely to have trouble sleeping. Exercise elevates body temperature, and cooling the body becomes increasingly difficult when you are inadequately hydrated. Some level of dehydration is highly likely following long endurance events lasting more than 4-5 hours.

Are late night workouts good?

Despite what you may have heard, there's nothing inherently wrong with working out at night. It's always better for your sleep to get some exercise rather than none at all, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). And for plenty of people, evenings are their only opportunity to break a sweat.

Which exercise burns the most belly fat?

HIIT or interval training

Research shows that HIIT exercises for belly fat help control weight and improve your overall physical condition. These routines don't take a lot of time but still get your heart pumping and work your entire body.

Should I eat before or after I workout?

Eat after you exercise

Eat a meal that has both carbohydrates and protein in it within two hours of your workout if possible. Eating after you work out can help muscles recover and replace their glycogen stores. Think about having a snack if your meal is more than two hours away.

Does night shift age you?

Preliminary findings have underlined a possible relationship between shift work and aging by showing an association between duration of NS work and reduced telomere length [5,6], although its use as a potential index of biological aging is still controversial [7].

Is 6 hours of sleep enough?

While some people regularly function on short periods of sleep, research mostly agrees that six hours of sleep is not enough for most adults. Experts recommend that most adults need at least seven hours of sleep every night.

Why working late at night is bad?

1) Interferes with natural sleep rhythms

Sleep is extremely important for your overall health. While you slumber, your body gets rid of toxins, repairs injury, and reduces stress. Working the night shift interferes with those essential processes. That can lead to many of the disorders on this list.

What time is worst to workout?

Super-Late at Night

“Rigorous exercise naturally wakes your body up by boosting your heart rate,” Backe explains. “This can take several hours to wind down from.” Although everyone is different—some may be able to fall asleep peacefully post-workout—he recommends avoiding exercise two to three hours before bed.

Is it OK to workout after 10pm?

You may be thinking that a late-night workout will have you so energized you won't be able to slow down when it's time to go to sleep — but the opposite is actually true! According to The Washington Post, exercise helps you sleep deeper and longer, no matter what time of day you exercise.

Why shouldn't you exercise before bed?

By contrast, exercise leads to a rise in core body temperature, an increased heart rate, and higher levels of arousal that can hinder sleep. Because of these physiological processes, experts have advised against exercising before bed Trusted Source Taylor &Francis Online View Source in the past.

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