When is the best time to exercise in the day?

The best time to exercise can depend on individual preferences and goals, but some general guidance has been provided by Andrew Huberman. He mentions that there are reasons based on body temperature rhythms and cortisol release that make training shortly after waking, specifically 30 minutes, three hours, or 11 hours after your normal waking time, potentially beneficial for predictability and readiness for training. However, it is not definitive that a particular time of day is optimal for everyone, and your individual schedule and sleep patterns should also be considered 1.

For focus and attention, most people experience heightened levels around 30 minutes, three hours, and 11 hours after waking. These natural peaks in focus and motivation could inform when to schedule exercise if your goal is also to enhance cognitive function 2.

Moreover, early morning exercise has been highlighted as possibly providing benefits for the brain and cognition, and potentially influencing wakefulness and cortisol patterns in a way that could improve sleep 3 4. Additionally, light exposure from exercising outside in the morning can be a tool for strengthening the circadian rhythm 5.

However, it's also important to note that exercise should fit into your own schedule and lifestyle, without being overly strict about the exact timing, unless it can be managed comfortably 6 7.