Research

Energy balance

Performing 250 minutes per week of self-paced aerobic exercise yields modest weight loss regardless of whether the exercise is performed in the morning (06:00–09:00) or evening (16:00–19:00).

If you want to lose weight, focus on getting 250 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. It does not matter if you do it in the morning or the evening; the weight loss results are the same. Choose the time that fits your schedule best to ensure you stick with it.

GoodRefutesHIGH confidence
Adults with overweight and obesity experience modest weight loss in response to an exercise program, but there does not appear to be an optimal time to exercise.
Paige G. Brooker et al. · Obesity · 2022

Why this rating

Randomized controlled trial with a sufficiently powered sample (n=100) and objective measures, though self-paced intensity introduces some variability.

Source

The efficacy of morning versus evening exercise for weight loss: A randomized controlled trial

Paige G. Brooker et al. · Obesity · 2022

DOI 10.1002/oby.23605

rct · n=100Cited 33×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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