Working out in the morning comes with countless benefits, from boosting your mood and energy levels to creating better sleep habits. The only downside? Waking up early enough to get your morning sweat sesh in. If you’re more of a night owl than an early bird, morning workouts may sound impossible, but with our morning workout motivation tips, you’re sure to have a change of heart! There are way too many upsides to morning exercise not to do it. No more excuses – just get to it!
6 Benefits of Working Out in the Morning
1. Sets the Tone for a Healthier Day
How you start your morning influences how you spend the rest of your day. Working out in the morning will help you to create healthier habits such as eating balanced meals, drinking lots of water and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. You’ll be proud of yourself for all the work you’ve put in and will make choices to stay on track. For example, you’ll be more likely to skip breakfast pastries and order a healthy salad for lunch instead of unhealthy carbs.
2. More Energy
When you exercise in the morning, you’re bound to have more energy throughout the day. It’s one of the best ways to start your day, preparing you for your daily routine. You’ll get an instant energy boost that will banish fatigue and low motivation. When you exercise, oxygen and nutrients travel to your heart and lungs, improving your cardio, endurance and stamina and helping you feel more energized throughout the day.
3. Elevated Mood
You’ll also notice you’ll be in a better mood if you workout in the morning. Breaking a morning sweat will provide you with a boost of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, which are feel-good chemicals that help to eliminate stress and elevate your mood.
4. Better Focus and Concentration
If you have trouble focusing throughout the day, a morning workout may be just the thing for you! Physical activity improves focus and concentration, elevating cognitive function and increasing productivity. If you work out in the morning, get ready to see major brain benefits!
5. Lose More Weight
Working out in the morning has been shown to be the most beneficial when it comes to weight loss. It has been found that those who work out earlier in the day tend to lose more weight than those who do the same workout later in the day, so if weight loss is one of your goals, an early morning workout may help!
6. Sleep Better
Exercise is known to lead to better sleeping habits, however exercising at night can make it harder to fall asleep since physical activity tends to give you a boost of energy. Working out in the morning will help you get a deeper, longer sleep and will also help you fall asleep at a reasonable time.
10 Morning Workout Motivation Tips that Work
1. Know Your “Why”
Why are you working out? Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to live longer for your kids? Do you know morning workouts make you happier and more energetic throughout the day? When you’re laying in bed contemplating if you should get up or hit the snooze button, it helps to remind yourself why you’re putting in the effort. When you know your “why” for waking up and getting active, it becomes so much easier!
2. Turn On Your Light and Open Your Blinds
As soon as you wake up, turn on your lights and open your blinds. This will immediately make you feel more awake. Light signals to your brain that it’s time to wake up and get moving, rather than staying under your covers. As soon as you hear your alarm, stand up and let the light in!
3. Drink a Glass of Water with Citrus
Since we sleep for so many hours, our bodies naturally become dehydrated, leaving us with less energy. Chug a big glass of water when you wake up to allow your body to rehydrate. Even better? Add some citrus like lemon, orange or grapefruit to give yourself a bigger boost of energy.
4. Splash Your Face
If you’re really finding it hard to wake yourself up, go into your bathroom and splash your face with cold water. It will give you an instant wakeup that will get you ready for your morning workout!
5. Change Up Your Workouts
Doing the same workout morning after morning tends to get dull and tedious, and can make you unmotivated to get out of bed. Make sure to switch up your workouts to keep things interesting and get you excited! Switch between cardio, strength, body weight, pilates and weighted workouts to ensure you’re motivated to jump out of bed!
6. Pick Out a Cute Workout Outfit the Night Before
Part of the fun of working out is wearing cute workout clothes! Pick out your workout outfit the night before and make sure it’s something fun and bright! Seeing your favourite pieces beside you when you wake up will help you get excited to get moving, plus you won’t have to wake up even earlier to pick out your outfit.
7. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep will ensure you’re well rested and are ready to wake up when your alarm goes off. If you want to wake up earlier than you usually do, you’ll have to go to bed earlier than you usually do – it’s non-negotiable. If you don’t get a proper sleep, keep in mind that you may be able to wake up early, but you’ll likely crash midday.
8. Set a Fun Alarm
It’s harder to wake up in the morning if your alarm is annoying or bland. Set your alarm to go off to something fun and upbeat, so you’ll actually want to wake up to it. Another no-fail alarm tip: place your alarm out of reach so you actually have to get up out of bed to turn it off!
9. Listen to Music When You’re Getting Ready
Speaking of fun and upbeat, listen to some great music while you’re getting ready to workout. When you listen to music your brain produces dopamine, a feel-good hormone that helps you feel happy and energized.
10. Make an Awesome Playlist
A great playlist can completely transform your workout! Energizing music that you love can elevate your performance and keep your energy up. Whether you’re going on a run, hopping on your bike, or doing an online HIIT workout, listening to your favourite upbeat tunes will help you work harder! Take some time to put together a playlist with awesome workout songs that will motivate you to get moving!
Working out in the morning has seriously awesome benefits! Use our tips to wake up, get moving and feel better all day long!
