8 Reasons Why I Choose Early Morning Workouts

The argument can be said that if you work out at all — regardless of where, when and what you’re doing — that you’re a step ahead of the rest.

According to the CDC, only 18 percent of women get the recommended amount of exercise. So if you’re doing something — anything — then cheers, girl. You’re way ahead.

But I've found my own hack — a way I can commit on a regular basis — and the impact goes way beyond all the touted benefits of regular exercise. Through morning ritual, and morning exercise, I've been able to create lasting habits that have positively impacted the rest of my day and even poured over into other areas of my life.

Experimentation in Exercise

I feel like I’ve done it all when it comes to experimentation in exercise. Group classes. Gym memberships. Yoga. Barre. Athletics. But the one thing I always had an issue with was consistency. When I’d go to the gym after work or school, oftentimes other “commitments” would get in the way. Things would pop up that would derail my good intentions, everything from last-minute plans, to just talking myself out of it because “I’m tired.”

But once I discovered at-home morning workouts, my entire view of commitment and staying active changed.

Make it Easy to Commit

At-home workouts are my secret formula. There’s no having to “pack” or get ready, no bad to lug around, no commute in and out of the gym, no waiting for equipment, and no body shame and comparison. It’s just me, my weights and mat and my mirror in the comfort of my living room. And, because I've created an environment that’s made it super easy to commit (I literally have to roll out of bed, put in my contacts and throw on my clothes), I've found that, for me, morning workouts are the only option.

There are a number of benefits around morning exercise. A simple Google search for morning workouts will reveal plenty of positive reviews. But through my experience and getting into the habit of early workouts over the past couple of years, I've noticed some upsides that extend far beyond knowing that I’ve knocked it out before the sun even rises. And I know you night owls are cringing right now, but hear me out. If you want to commit to regular exercise, the easy way is in the morning.

Benefits to Morning Workouts

Here are the top eight reasons why I love early exercise.

1 Routine.

Just as you wake up and immediately fetch a cup of coffee, creating the habit of rolling out of bed and throwing on your workout gear can be just as easy. As creatures of habit, we crave routine, and beginning your day starting with exercise is way easier than it sounds. It’s actually the only way I've been able to make it stick. And research backs it up. Not surprisingly, a recent study found that those who make it a habit are actually the most consistent excercisers.

2 Energy.

Just as we start our day with a jolt of caffeine (and, I know, hardly anything else is better in life than a hot cup of coffee as soon as we wake up), working out in the morning can be a great substitute. Getting active and moving my body in the morning energizes me throughout the day, it adds color to my cheeks, and actually makes me question whether I really even need coffee at all. When you get your blood flowing in the morning, it fires up your metabolism, and you actually end up burning more calories throughout the day.

3 Intent.

As we know, the road is paved with good intentions. And when it comes to a committed workout schedule, excuse undermines intention every time. It’s known that the things you really want to do should be knocked out in the morning, which is why there’s so much talk about creating the perfect morning routines these days, but it’s true. If you choose to workout in the morning, there’s a way less chance that you won’t make excuses, and what’s happened during the day hasn't had a chance to derail your plans. You simply wake up and do it.

4 Alertness.

Beyond feeling energized, working out in the morning makes you feel way more alert. Once I’ve knocked out a workout, I’m primed for the day. I’m more alert at work, on my game, and — all this to be said that it’s often without a cup of Morning Joe. And, while some may think this is crazy because they live for coffee, research has shown that even a quick burst of exercise in the mornings is more effective than a cup of coffee in promoting cognitive abilities. Really.

5 Choices.

Starting my day off knocking out the “hard work” has a ripple effect on the rest of the day. Because you’ve already put in the sweat equity, it’s actually easier to make better decisions throughout the day. This comes to what you drink, what you eat, how active you remain and even what time you go to bed. Knowing I already made a great decision about how I start the day, I am more mindful as to what I eat and do because I've already put in the work.

6 Results.

I’ve tried a lot of workouts out there, and I will say that morning workouts have, by far, been the most effective way for me to actually see results for my hard work. Testosterone levels are at their peak in the morning, which bolster yet another reason that knocking out strength training workouts early makes sense. It’s the prime time for building muscle. And since muscles are made in the kitchen, diet is a foundational component to seeing results. A Brigham Young University study found that early morning workouts may actually cut hunger cravings, and even better, if you’re working out on an empty stomach in the morning, research actually suggests that it helps accelerate weight loss and boost energy levels for an all-day fat burn.

7 Rest.

I’ve never been one who has too much trouble sleeping. The fatigue from my autoimmune condition makes feeling tired at night a given. But, when I know I have an early-morning workout lined up, it encourages me to rest. I go to bed earlier, wake up earlier and sleep better throughout the night. For some, this reason alone could make working out in the morning worth their while. The National Sleep Foundation says that working out in the morning leads to deeper, longer and higher-quality sleep. And I can vouch for that.

8 Self-Care.

All of the reasons I've mentioned above lead back to self-love, self-care and really taking that time for yourself. And there’s honestly hardly anything better than knowing the entire day, that you already put in your time. You did something really great for your body and mind, which will carry with you throughout the day. Hello, mood booster! Morning workouts create a space for “me time” in the mornings, before the craziness of the day starts, and oftentimes before anyone else in the house has woken up. The positive vibes that carry with me are worth the 5:30 a.m. alarms, then my evenings are reserved for cooking nutritious meals, spending time with my family, and Netflix and chill.

Worth the While

While the reasons are vast, they all point back to why it’s worth it to peel yourself out of bed in the morning. And for us early birds, this can be an easier habit to cultivate. But this approach won’t be easy for everyone. Night owls will have a hard time shifting their habits and perceptions of mornings, but it’s worth making yourself uncomfortable.

If any of this piques your interest, I challenge you to give it a try for a week and see how you do. If you can stick with it, I’m sure you’ll discover all the benefits above, too. Morning workouts are a killer way to start your day with something great that will have a lasting impact not only on your day, but your long-term goals.