Answer: There is much debate on when is the most appropriate or effective time to exercise.

There are always specifics such as exercise in the morning versus exercise at night. People (fitness professionals included) waste too much time debating about which time is best to exercise, all the while forgetting about our nation's poor health, which is pretty much at the crisis level. With regard to exercise, it all comes down to "doing it or not doing it."

If your schedule allows for exercise only at night, then go for it. The only way I would discourage exercise so close to bedtime is if you find it hard to sleep at night as a result. If so, work to find another time to work out so that you can get a good night's sleep for proper recovery. If your sleep and recovery time is not affected by your late exercise sessions, keep doing what you are doing.

You seem to have made exercise a priority, and that is half the battle. If your schedule changes, then make the necessary adjustments to ensure you get your exercise completed.

Contact personal trainer Dave Patania by e-mail: davpatania@aol.com.