What is chrono-exercise?

Chrono-exercise is the practice of scheduling physical activity around the body’s natural circadian rhythm.

The circadian rhythm refers to the internal clock that the human body has, and it is based on the differing levels of sunlight over a 24-hour period. It is sometimes also called the sleep-wake cycle and dictates hormone production, body temperature and metabolic processes.

Chrono-exercise involves performing your workouts at specific times of the day to align with the times when your body will be naturally best at exercise. The exact time that working out is most optimal for you depends on your unique physiology.

However, research suggests that early morning is great for low-intensity exercise that requires good mobility and flexibility, such as walking or yoga. Afternoons may be best for high-intensity training when the body has been awake for several hours and has some fuel from breakfast and lunch.

Aligning your exercise routine according to your body’s natural circadian rhythm may improve your exercise performance and maximize progress.