Benefits of Morning Workouts
Morning people pride themselves on being more productive, more successful, and more energized — and they sure act like they’ve got their stuff together (at least to us night owls!). Once you get into a routine of waking up early in the morning to exercise, you may come to appreciate the quiet stillness of the day.
While the best time to exercise is still the time at which you’ll work out most consistently, there are other benefits to getting your sweat on early in the day, too.
If you have trouble motivating yourself in the A.M., let Super Trainer Jericho McMatthews do that for you: Her heart-pumping program, Morning Meltdown 100, will give you something to look forward to as soon as you open your eyes.
The program features 100 unique 20- to 30-minute workouts — set to a playlist mixed by a live DJ — that can help you rev up your metabolism and reap the rewards of working out in the morning.
“Waking up and sweating means starting your day with an endorphin rush, which instantly boosts your mood and sets a positive tone for the rest of your day,” Jericho explains. “You’ll feel happier, more accomplished, and less stressed, and you’ll have extra energy to tackle the rest of your day as it unfolds.”
Here are four great reasons that will make you rethink hitting that snooze button:
4 Reasons to Exercise in the Morning
1. It can help set the tone for your day
Being up and exercising before most of the world awakens can be a great feeling and is also very motivating.
Since you’re already up and about, just think of all the things you can do before everyone else is stumbling out of bed.
You’ll have time to cook a delicious, healthy breakfast, meditate, or simply sit for a moment or two and mentally prepare yourself before you start the rest of your day.
2. You’ll get more quality time back
If you can train yourself to work out before the sun rises, you can enjoy more time with family and friends.
Instead of everyone racing out the door in the morning, your family can have more time to spend together, appreciatively, before everyone goes their separate ways for the day.
Early workouts also mean you’ll get more time after work to spend with friends you’ve had to cancel on because you had to hit the gym after work.
With all the extra time on your hands, the world is your oyster!
3. You can crush your to-do list
It’s simple, really: The earlier you get up, the more time you have to attack the day and everything that comes with it.
There’s something to be said about checking the “exercise” box off on your to-do list first thing in the morning.
Ever had an unexpected deadline or a last-minute 4:30 p.m. meeting crop up to sabotage your evening exercise plans? (Always.)
Or ever skipped a workout because you’re just too tired at the end of the day? (Too many times to count.) For many folks, exercise is more likely to happen if you do it first thing.
Then you can stroll into the office refreshed and energized after your workout. No more thinking, “I still have to work out” hanging over your head all day.
4. You may feel less stressed and more ready for your day
We all have anxious moments thinking about deadlines or maybe feeling overwhelmed during a long commute.
A morning workout can take some of the edge off to help ease daily stress and may lower your blood pressure for the rest of the day, too. (Say goodbye, road rage!)
Studies show that even just 10 minutes of exercise may provide psychological benefits, including lifting your mood.
The Bottom Line
Listen, we get it: Just the act of waking up early is hard. But the benefits of pushing through that sleepy “Can’t. Wake. Up.” moment in the morning can be tremendous.
And once you start seeing the results of getting up early to get your body moving, it will get easier and easier.