5 Tactics to Crush Morning Workouts (Even if You’re Not a Morning Person)
While the most important time of day to work out is whenever you can fit it in, morning workouts have a ton of benefits. Morning exercise can sharpen your focus and boost your mood, leaving you feeling energized for the rest of the day. A natural stress reliever, an early workout can set you up to manage stress more effectively throughout the day. And, getting in your workout first thing means there is less chance that it gets derailed by work, family, or other obligations.
Let’s be honest, though, for many of us, the snooze button is a siren song. If you’re not naturally a morning person, squeezing in a workout before the day gets away from you can feel downright dreadful.
But don’t despair! With a few simple tactics, you can transform how you view morning workouts from dread to domination. Here are 5 tips to help you conquer those early morning workouts:
- Prepare the Night Before:
Lay out your workout clothes and any other necessary equipment (like your gym bag or headphones) the night before. This will save you valuable time in the morning and prevent you from scrambling or procrastinating.
- Get Out of Bed ASAP:
The snooze button is your enemy. Once you hit it, you lose all momentum. It actually makes you groggier throughout the day than if you were to get up right away. As soon as that alarm goes off, get out of bed. If you need to, place your alarm clock on the other side of the room so you have to get up to turn it off. Bonus: if you use your phone as your alarm, keeping it on the other side of the room also helps you digital detox at night by removing your temptation to doomscroll.
- Hydrate Immediately:
Dehydration can lead to fatigue and make it even harder to get moving. Keep a water bottle next to your bed (instead of your phone!) and as soon as you get out of bed, drink it. This will help rehydrate your body and give you an energy boost.
- Splash Cold Water on Your Face:
A quick splash of cold water on your face can help to wake you up and increase alertness. The sudden shock of cold water can help to stimulate circulation and get your blood flowing. A touch of caffeine eye cream does the trick, too!
- Get Some Natural Light and Fresh Air:
Sunlight can help to regulate your circadian rhythm and improve your mood. If possible, step outside for a few minutes or go for a walk to take in the morning air and natural light.
Remember, consistency is key to forming new habits. Even if you’re naturally a night owl, it’s possible to train your brain and body to crush morning workouts. Stick with it and soon you will master your mornings.
Author: Amber Zaharchuk, Apollo Athletic
