Study Finds Exercising in the Evening Reduces Heart Disease Risk

Published: April 12, 2024, 1:10 p.m. ET

If you’ve ever wanted to hit snooze instead of getting up for that 6 am gym class you booked yourself into, now you’ve got the perfect excuse. A new study has identified the best time to workout is in the evening, as getting a sweat on after 6 pm has a surprising health benefit compared to getting it done first thing.

Lower Risk of Heart Disease and Death

Researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia found that people who exercise at night have a lower risk of developing heart disease and dying than those who exercise in the morning. The exercise routines and outcomes of 30,000 obese people with an average age of 62 were analyzed over eight years with the goal of answering the age-old question: Does the time of day you move your body make a difference to your health?

Evening Exercise Has the Greatest Benefits

The study found that obese people who exercised after 6 pm had a 61 percent lower risk of dying and a 36 percent lower risk of developing heart disease compared to obese people who didn’t exercise at all. Conversely, participants who exercised in the morning had about half the benefit, as they were only 33 percent less likely to die and 17 percent less likely to develop heart disease.

Timing is Important for Future Health Recommendations

“This study suggests that the timing of physical activity could be an important part of the recommendations for future obesity and type 2 diabetes management, and preventive healthcare in general,” said Professor Emmaneul Stamatakis, study author and Director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub at Charles Perkins Centre.

Observational Findings with Promising Implications

Researchers made the surprising discovery by analyzing each individual’s physical activity over a week using a 24-hour fitness tracker. Their physical activity was not limited to exercise, but included things like walking and cleaning the house, while differences in age, sex, smoking habits, and diet intake were also taken into consideration.

Conclusion

While this study provides valuable insights, exercise is by no means the only solution to the obesity crisis. However, incorporating physical activity into our daily routines can significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular conditions and premature death. The timing of exercise may play a role in this risk reduction, with the study suggesting that evening exercise may provide the greatest health benefits. So, the next time you plan to hit the gym, consider scheduling your workout for the evening for optimal results.