As one of the co-authors of the study, Jingyi Qian, Ph.D., explained in a news release: “We’ve known that physical activity is beneficial, but what our study adds is a new understanding that timing of activity may be important too.” So while it takes a lot of willpower to roll out of bed and straight into the gym, a fitness class, or onto the Peloton, afternoon exercisers now have something to tout.