The exact times men and women should exercise to blast belly fat and lose weight fast

WHETHER you’re working out in the morning or the evening, at least you’re getting your gym kit on. But for the best results, scientists have discovered the optimal time of day for losing that extra tyre depending on your gender. Researchers led by Prof Paul J Arciero, Skidmore College, New York, recruited 30 women and […]

WHETHER you’re working out in the morning or the evening, at least you’re getting your gym kit on.

But for the best results, scientists have discovered the optimal time of day for losing that extra tyre depending on your gender.

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The time of day you go to the gym may be benefiting, or hindering, your weight loss[/caption]

Researchers led by Prof Paul J Arciero, Skidmore College, New York, recruited 30 women and 26 men.

They followed a 12-week training and eating plan in which they used various forms of exercise over four days of the week.

Men and women were randomised to train either between 6.30am and 8.30am, or between 6pm and 8pm.

Those who hit the gym in the morning did so without eating first. They ate four meals a day, including one post-exercise.

Evening go-ers also ate four meals a day, of which one had to be after exercise.

Prof Arciero and his team were able to pinpoint the best times to exercise based on fitness goals.

Women who want to lose fat around their belly and hips should exercise in the morning, the study found.

They may also benefit from a rounder bottom and shapely legs, according to the findings published in Frontiers in Physiology.

“However, women interested in gaining upper body muscle strength, power and endurance, as well as improving overall mood state and food intake, evening exercise is the preferred choice,” Prof Arciero said.

The results were the opposite for men – those wanting to lose weight around the middle should stick to an evening gym session.

The study showed these men also had lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Men generally were better off if they worked out in the evening, with a “lower risk of heart disease and feelings of fatigue”.

All participants were regarded as healthy prior to the study – they were highly active, a normal weight and nonsmokers.

And regardless of their exercise programme, measurements showed an improvement in their health.