Trust us when we tell you, there’s nothing better than a morning workout, it can help clear your mind, get your body working and heart pumping, and is an ideal start to any day! We know it’s hard when motivation is low, especially on a Monday morning after a weekend of overdoing it, but don’t hit snooze on the alarm, get up, get out there and smash your fitness goals! It’s all about routine! The first morning is the hardest but it does get easier.
There are loads of benefits to a morning workout including improved focus, increased alertness, and, for most people, fewer distractions. Distractions won’t do you any favours and working out in the morning allows you to focus on yourself, your goals and your fitness journey because of less guff distracting you. A morning workout at home or at the gym will allow you to focus your thoughts on your performance. In the mornings there are normally fewer distractions, making it the perfect time to work out. Working out in the morning also means you should have more energy compared to after work meaning you will be more efficient and effective during your workout allowing you the most bang for your buck!
A morning workout could support your weight loss journey.
If your goal is weight loss, the first thing to keep in mind is that there is no magic way to lose weight, you have to put in the work be active and spend time on food prep to ensure a well-balanced diet.
One tip that we can give that has always helped us through is to use your time wisely and, more often than not, people do not make the most of their mornings. The idea that you can’t do it, that it’s too early, that it’ll be too hard first thing on a morning is false. Focus on setting that alarm and getting out of bed. If you find it hard at first, just focus on sitting up in bed when your alarm goes off. Get used to getting up with your alarm and the rest will come more easily. Believe us, it’s worth it! After all, research shows that a morning workout helps to burn more fat. Not only that but studies from the International Journal of Obesity show that you are more likely to eat healthier foods if you have worked out in the morning. If you can start the day off right with a good workout and a clear head, then you’re far less likely to negate the calories burned during exercise by eating badly or overeating during the day.
Feeling happier & better within yourself
Another benefit to working out in the morning is the feeling of accomplishment after doing it, which has an amazing effect on uplifting your mood. If we’re ever under the weather or not feeling 100%, a morning workout can cheer us up and make us feel a lot better about facing the day.
A morning workout helps you to start the day with more energy, focus and optimism, leading to a happier and more fulfilled you! The challenges of any day will be easier to overcome, as you’ll likely notice a decrease in stress; Improved physical health leads to improved mental health. The two are not mutually exclusive and in fact, come hand in hand.
This can also have a positive effect on other day-to-day activities. Whether it be productivity at work or at home, you’re guaranteed to be more alert, awake and ready to tackle the day after a good morning workout.
Studies show that working out and outdoor activity can boost your brain’s health. Also, physical activity triggers a release of dopamine and serotonin, which can improve your mood. There are many advantages and benefits of working out in the morning it’s just a matter of you getting out of your comfort zone, and getting into the zone first thing on a morning. Stick with it and you’ll adjust your comfort zone to the point that it includes a morning workout most days.
Exercise in the morning for Improved sleep.
If you find that it takes you ages to get to sleep and you’re tossing and turning ‘til the early hours, maybe it’s time for you to start working out in the morning.
Regular morning exercise can help improve sleeping patterns, and working out helps release hormones in your body such as melatonin which aids in a good night’s sleep. With some sleep management and consistent effort, even a night owl can become an early riser.
Research shows that working out in the evening is not as beneficial as in the morning if you struggle to sleep. This is because the body begins to wind down as the day goes on, preparing you for rest as the sun lowers in the sky. During a workout or our bodies are essentially being told to wake up, and as a day draws to a close, we, naturally, begin to feel lethargic and tired. Because of this, a workout that comes too late can throw your body’s dynamics and sleeping pattern out of sync.
Morning exercise is one of the best ways to help your body fall into a deeper sleep in the evenings. Sleep is incredibly important to a healthy lifestyle and is one of the foundations of being healthy and improving your fitness goals. Many people undervalue sleep and its importance, but your body needs deep sleep so that it can help to repair your muscles for the next day. If you don’t get a good night’s sleep your body isn’t going to be at its best or most efficient state. Sleeping well also helps with your general mood and motivation, if you tend to not sleep well, you’re going to be less productive, so work on your sleeping pattern and enhance the quality of your sleep by making your body work hard at the right time.
So instead of sleeping through that alarm tomorrow morning, sit up in bed, give yourself a few minutes to prepare and then SMASH your goals from first thing in the morning ‘til last thing at night. The sooner you start, the sooner it’s done, so if you can get your squats, burpees, deadlifts and pull-ups out of the way early, your body and mind will thank you for it and you’ll be well on course to hitting your fitness goals and normalising an early morning routine in no time!
