To some, getting out of bed and going to work out first thing in the morning is the only way to start the day. To others, nothing could sound less appealing. However, if you’re one of those people who don’t find themselves hitting the snooze button every morning, getting to the gym in the AM may be a great choice for you.
Over and done with!
For starters, if you exercise in the morning, you don’t have to worry about it for the rest of the day! Busy schedule? Packed day? Getting to check one thing off your list before your day has even started can be a great feeling. If you’re someone who often finds themselves never having time for the gym even when they plan to go, morning work outs could be your way to combat this.
Better behaviors throughout the day
Even better, there are health benefits associated with early gym sessions. Starting out your day with a healthy behavior may lead you to make other healthy choices throughout the day as well. Maybe you decide to bring your own lunch instead of buying that day or skip that extra coffee you usually need. Use your morning workout as a catalyst for a healthier day! Another key benefit to AM workouts relates to sleep. It’s much easier to get up in the morning if you feel rested and ready to start the day, and the way to achieve this is a good night’s sleep. Morning workouts could potentially help you attain a more restful sleep. This may be especially helpful for people who typically feel energized after a workout and often can’t work out after a certain time because they need ample time to cool down.
Where to start…
If morning workouts sound like something that may work for you, start off by setting your alarm an hour before you would normally get up and test out a simple workout. If you can sustain this for a few days a week, gradually increase the intensity of your workouts, and the amount of time you need accordingly. Don’t forget that we all have tough mornings once in a while. If you’re unable to make a morning workout that you planned, don’t get discouraged. Instead choose to walk to work or take a mid-morning stroll!
You know what they say… early bird catches the workout!
Written by GUADS staff member Emily
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