Waking up early is hard. Waking up extra early to workout can seem downright impossible. But exercising first thing has so many benefits! When you get your body moving in the morning you increase your energy, kick-start your metabolism causing you to burn more all day long, and you get your daily exercise out of the way so you can come home from work and relax. Morning workouts can be a challenge if you aren't used to getting up at the crack of dawn to hit the gym. There are a several thing you can do to help get your butt out of bed and into the gym! 

 

 

 

10 Tips For Getting In A Morning Workout

 

1. Prepare Your Gear

The last thing you want to do in the morning is search for an outfit to wear or pack your gym bag. Make sure to have all of your gym gear ready to go and lay out your workout clothes the night before. To avoid waking my husband, I leave my workout clothes and bag in the spare room so there is no fumbling around in the morning. 

2. Schedule It In

Look at your week's schedule, decide which days you are going to workout in the morning and write it into your calendar. Saying you want to workout in the morning is one thing, but choosing the days and times of your workouts adds an extra level of commitment. When you are picking your schedule make sure to be realistic with yourself. If you aren't working out at all, don't schedule in 6 workouts. Start with 2-3 days and see how it goes. Once you start to get used to your new routine you can add more days. 

3. Plan It Out

Having a plan makes everything easier. It is hard to have motivation to workout when you don't know what you are going to do at the gym. Write down your workout plan ahead of time so you can stay focused and get your workout done quickly. 

4. Find A Partner

Working out is always easier with a buddy and this is especially true in the morning. It is so much harder to press snooze when you know your friend is expecting you at the gym. 

5. Register For A Class

Another good way to keep yourself accountable in the morning is to register for a class. Whenever you sign up or pay for a class in advance it reduced the chance that you'll skip it. Try an early morning yoga, crossfit or boot camp class. 

6. Adjust Your Wakeup Routine

There are thing syou can do to help wake your body up in the morning. Try leaving your alarm clock on the other side of the room so you have to actually get out of bed to turn it off. This will really limit how many times you hit snooze. As soon as you get up turn some lights on. Light tells your body that it is morning and time to wake up. When you get ready in the dark you keep your body in sleep mode. You can also try putting some music on to wake you up and get you pumped for your wokrout. 

7. Have Coffee Ready

Set your coffee maker the night before so it is ready when you wake up. A little caffeine will help wake you up and also give you some extra energy to get through your workout. 

8. Have A Snack

A full breakfast is not always practical before a morning workout but exercising, especially weight training, can be dangerous on an empty stomach. Instead, have a small snack ready to go. Aim for something that is easy to digest, won't leave you feeling too full and is quick to get down. Some good options are a small protein shake (try mixing your chocolate shake with your coffee for a morning mocha), a bowl of Greek yogurt and berries, or a homemade protein bar. 

9. Go To Bed Earlier

If you decide to wake up earlier but continue to go to bed at the same time you will feel exhausted by the end of the week. Try to go to bed a bit earlier and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night. 

10. Prepare For Your Day

You will likely have to alter your normal getting-ready routine if you start exercising in the morning. To save time after your workout, prepare your lunch, have your work clothes picked out and ironed and have your post-workout meal ready to go the night before.