If you have ever found yourself staring at a gym timetable wondering which sessions will actually move the needle on your goals, you are not alone.
It is one of the most common questions I get asked: What are the best classes for weight loss? And right alongside it is the classic timing debate: Does workout time (morning vs evening) actually matter? What’s better?
Let’s break it downs…
The Best Classes for Weight Loss
When we talk about the best classes for weight loss, there is one thing you definitely need to prioritize above all else: strength training.
But why?
Why Strength Training Benefits Are Non-Negotiable
When you’re on a weight loss journey, your primary goal should be maintaining as much lean muscle mass as possible.
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It gives you that nice, muscular, lean and healthy shape.
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It protects your bones. Nobody wants to fall over and break anything; we want to be strong, team!
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If we have muscle, everything else in life becomes easier. Standing up, carrying the shopping, lifting your children (or grandchildren!) We have to pay it forward now to protect our independence later in life!
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Your lean muscle mass is linked to your metabolic rate. Whilst some people exaggerate exactly how much it burns, it is absolutely true that having more muscle helps support a healthy metabolism.
For health, fitness and longevity, strength training is key! Aim for a minimum of twice a week (ideally 2-4 times per week).
Don’t Skip Cardio and Core
If strength training is the priority, do we still need cardio then?
Yes! But not for the reason you might think.
A lot of people assume that the more you sweat in a cardio session, the more calories you burn (and the faster you lose weight).
It really doesn’t work like that.
However, cardio is incredibly important for your heart health, your lung health and your overall cardiovascular fitness.
And we absolutely cannot forget the holistic side of things! Core strength and flexibility are so important too.
You can’t build from a weak base. If you have a weak core, you are most likely going to get injured faster (and suffer from backaches because you aren’t “holding yourself” properly). And flexibility wise, no-one wants to be the person that can’t tie their own shoes laces right?!
The Golden Rule: It’s About the Food
You need to do it all: strength, cardio, and mobility to stay healthy and strong. But you don’t have to overthink your classes to lose weight. Why? Because the actual weight loss is mainly going to come from your food.
Weight loss happens when you are in a calorie deficit (calories out are greater than calories in). Use your food to manage your weight, and use your exercise to build your strength, cardiovascular fitness and mobility!
Does Workout Timing Matter?
Are workouts in the morning more beneficial for weight loss than later in the day?
The short answer is both no and yes.
When it comes to the science of morning vs evening workout weight loss, there is no real biological difference. As long as you are in that calorie deficit, your body doesn’t care what time the clock says when you pick up a dumbbell. However, in the real world, timing can play a huge behavioral role.
The Magic of the Morning Workout
I personally think there is a very good argument for morning workouts, and it has nothing to do with “speeding up your metabolism for the rest of the day” (that’s a myth!). Here is why mornings often win:
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When we work out in the morning, we generally have more energy, which means we are less sluggish and end up moving more throughout the day.
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When you exercise early, you naturally want to make better choices later. You’ve done something good for your body, and you want to fuel it with good stuff. It has a positive knock-on effect.
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Let’s be honest, sometimes life is lifing. People need us, we get caught up in our tasks, and before we know it, it’s 9pm and we’re exhausted. Getting it done in the morning means it actually gets done.
The Power of the Evening Wind-Down
On the flip side, some people naturally have way more energy later in the day. For many, an evening workout is the perfect mental transition from work mode to home life, or a great way to carve out “me time” after the kids have gone to bed.
So, Which is Better?
Ultimately, the best time to work out is the time that you can stick to. Consistency and finding what genuinely fits your lifestyle will always deliver the best results.
Want help to perfectly balance your strength, cardio and mobility plus the guidance to nail your nutrition without giving up your life? Come and join us.
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