How to Start Working Out in the Morning
Starting your day with a workout is the best way to boost your mood for the day, do something for yourself before you do anything else… and not have to go to a crowded gym after work Here are my top tips on how to start working out in the morning.
7 tips to start working out in the morning
Watch this video or keep scrolling if you prefer reading :)
1: Make it easier for yourself
Just like any habit you’re trying to build, limit all the “resisting forces” that go against you getting up and working out. For instance, the best time to get used to morning workouts is Spring-Summer, when it’s already light outside when you wake up. It’s going to make the process so much easier than if you start in November when it’s cold and dark outside.
Make the morning as smooth as possible by preparing everything you will need the night before. Have your workout gear ready, your water bottle ready to be filled up and your keys by the door. I have organised my bedroom in such a way that the first thing I walk into in the morning is my workout wardrobe, so I just have to open the drawers and grab what I need.
2: Train yourself to get up as soon as the alarm goes off
If you tend to snooze your alarm, get a physical one that you put far away from your bed, or place your phone on the other side of the room. If you have to get up in order to turn it off, you are less likely to go back to sleep.
3: Build up the habit progressively
We all tend to want to go all out when we set ourselves a new goal, but we’re shooting ourselves in the foot by trying to go from 0 to 100. Implementing morning workouts progressively is the best way to make the habit stick and not give up after a week.
If you’re currently doing training 3 times a week, start by implementing 1 morning workout. If you’re working out 5 times a week, aim for 3 morning workouts and build up to 5 morning workouts after a few weeks.
4: Book morning classes
Sign up to a 6am spin class, 6:30 yoga class or any other activity for which you will pay a fee if you don’t turn up. Having this “pressure” will make you most likely to get up and make it to your class.
This is how I got myself into a morning workout routine back in 2015 when I lived in the US and I was going to Orange Theory Fitness at 6am, 5 times a week. I didn’t want to pay a $15 fee for not attending so you best believe I was never late, and it was the best way to start my day.
5: Get yourself a PT or workout buddy
If you’re not into classes but need some accountability, you can either hire a PT who will train you in the morning, or find a workout buddy who you will meet at the gym or for a run.
I’m lucky I have my partner who also works out in the morning and if one of us isn’t really feeling it, the other one is here to boost the motivation.
6: Adjust your lifestyle
You might need to make some lifestyle adjustments in order to make the morning workout habit work, such as going to bed earlier and changing your sleep schedule, which might take a few weeks.
Your evening meal is also important to consider to ensure you have enough energy in the morning, especially if you’re doing high intensity activities. Ensure to have a well-balanced meal that you digest easily, with some protein, carbs and fats. Finally, make sure you go to bed hydrated.
7: Pre-workout fuel
I would suggest re-hydrating first thing in the morning with a big glass of water. Then, you might need a little pre-workout snack to get you going. I sometimes do, in this case I have one or two rice cakes with vegan butter.
You can use pre-workout (I do love sharing a can of Monster with my partner), as the caffeine boost will give you a burst of energy, but I’d recommend keeping this for the days you’re really flat, instead of making it part of your morning workout routine.
Finally, remember that any long-term habit isn’t built in one week. It takes consistency and patience. But overtime, working out in the morning will simply be a part of your routine and it will not be anywhere as difficult as it may seem for you right now!