It’s the age-old swimming conundrum – what is the best time of day to swim?
Many people enjoy a morning swim to clear their mind, stimulate their body and prepare for the day ahead. Others swim in their lunch break, or train in the afternoon, while some find an evening swim the perfect way to wind down and de-stress.
So, is there really a best time of day to swim? Scientifically, if you’re swimming to lose weight, the answer is yes. For maximum weight loss, swimming on an empty stomach is ideal. Hit the pool approximately one hour before you eat your breakfast and because your carbohydrate stores have been depleted overnight, your body has no choice but to raid your fat stores for fuel. Not only will a swim in the morning before breakfast burn more fat, but it will raise your body’s metabolism for the rest of the day – so you burn more calories, faster, throughout the day (even while sitting at your desk).
Not a morning person? Don’t panic. Swimming’s health benefits aren’t defined by the clock. The truth is, you can enjoy swimming any time of day, whether you’re in the pool for fitness, to swim competitively or to relax and unwind. Swimming provides a full body workout, improves muscle tone, strengthens the body, raises your metabolic rate and helps reduce stress.
So whether it’s the morning, lunch time or evening, grab your kit and head to the pool!
