When it comes to working out one of the biggest hurdles is carving out the time. We’ve all got so much going on in our lives that between family, friends, work and activities, there never seems to be anytime left for us to focus on our health. One way to make sure you get that much needed workout in is to get it done first thing in the morning. Sounds easy right? Not! When you’re rising before the sun half sleepy and hungry, the last thing on your mind is a workout. But the mornings are actually the best time to workout, not only do you get it out the way before life takes over, but it’s a great time to decompress and focus on you for a change.

So, how do you make sure you stick to your morning workout routine instead of rolling over and going back to sleep? Simple, follow these three steps and you’ll be a morning workout warrior in no time!

Plan Ahead
With a busy life time is always of the essence and the more time you have to waste figuring out where to workout, when to leave, how to get there, how long to stay there, what to eat when you get back, etc, the less likely you are to stick to the routine. Before you start your morning workouts create a plan. Sit down and figure out the details of your workout so that when you wake up everything runs like a well oiled machine.

Sleep
For many of us morning are the only time we’ll be able to workout during the day, so it’s go hard or go home. The worst thing you can do is get up to workout in the morning running on an empty tank, you won’t be able to push yourself and give the workout your all. Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before so that your body wakes up fully charged and ready to hit the ground running. Getting sleep will not only help you push through workouts, but the rest of the day as well.

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10 Comments

  1. Perhaps I needed this. Just this morning, I decided to work out a bit at home before I went to work. I was late to work and SWORE OFF of morning exercise because I feel like I go from having plenty of time and energy to rushing and being too tired too early! If I try it again, I will keep these thoughts in mind

  2. I am a Morning Workout Warrior. I love, love LOVE working out in the morning. It definitely does provide that extra boast of energy. I have the title of my phone alarm as: TeamGetFit and that helps with motivation. I also take solace in the idea that it’s far less crowded in the morning than the evenings (at least at my gyms) and people are less likely to pester you. I also tell myself this is my me time and these pounds won’t drop themselves!

  3. Thanks for this article! I too am one of those that workout in the morning. It’s good to have a source of workout videos to have on hand. I’ve gotten great results based on the “Insanity” videos, mixed with power yoga workouts by Mark Gonzales (http://vimeo.com/channels/poweryoga)

    Anyone have any other recommendations?

  4. I recently started working out in the morning. Consistantly for the past month. I never thought I would be the one to work out in the morning but It was the only time my schedule allowed it. So having a workout partner and sticking to the same time every morning has helped. I actually see why people like it. It gives me an extra boost in the morning.

    The only thing I am having to adjust to is the fact that my appetite is out of control in the morning and the fact that by 2pm I need a serious nap!

  5. This was a fun read. I’ve been trying to master the art of becoming an early bird who works out. I’m still working on it. Thanks for breaking down the steps!

    Brittney <3

  6. so I am committing to walking/running twice a week before 6am (this is huge for a person like me who is not even expected to report to work before 10am because they know better!) But I like the work out itself. Its the after stuff that is giving me a hard time. I want to lay back down after which makes me late even when I should have had PLENTY of time. Gotta work on this

  7. I sometimes get light headed when working out without food in my system but definitely dont have the time to eat breakfast, wait 20-40 minutes for my food to settle, and then work out. Any tips on if one should eat and what we should eat (how much) in the morning prior to working out?

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