Working out will make you more tired.

You’ve heard it. You’ve probably said it. On days when the alarm goes off at 5:30am and the bed feels like the safest, most reasonable option. Your humble author has been in that state once or twice…

It’s wrong.

Here’s what’s actually happening in your body when you exercise consistently.

You remember learning about the ‘powerhouse of the cell’ in elementary school? Yes, the mitochondria! Well, exercise triggers your body to produce more mitochondria (through a process called mitochondrial biogenesis). More mitochondria means a higher energy output. Your body literally becomes more efficient at generating fuel.

Regular exercise increases dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Read: it makes you happier and smarter. No, dopamine isn’t a bad thing in this sense. It’s only bad from cheap sources (Tik Tok) which cause you to get addicted. I would say being ‘addicted’ to exercise is probably better for you than Tik Tok.

Anyways… this is why your coworker that hits a morning workout is fresher than you and always performing better. Their biology is working for them.

A meta-analysis of 70 randomized controlled trials involving 6,807 subjects found that regular exercise reduced fatigue and increase energy levels more effectively than a prescription stimulant (modafinil). Almost everyone showed the same benefit, regardless of if they were healthy or had a chronic disease.

Resistance training increases testosterone and triggers the release of growth hormone. These drive muscle repair, mood stability, and bone and tissue health. Sitting around all day will suppress this. Consistent movement stimulates this.

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