If you’re looking to change things up and you want to beat the heat of the summer, or you simply want to jumpstart your day with energy, early morning workouts are the way to go!
If you didn’t know already, one of the best times to work out is doing so early in the morning, but we know that waking up early isn’t the easiest thing for many, if it was more people would be at the gym at 5 am!
So, if you always wanted to be that person that gets up and works out in the early morning – we've got you covered! In this article we've put together tips to get you on your feet early so you can change your workout schedule without any setbacks.
Have clear fitness goals
Relying on motivation isn’t exactly the best approach to fitness since motivation is fleeting, so you can’t expect to be pumped for your workouts every day if you don’t have a clear workout plan and goals set in place, especially if you’re trying to work out so early! Knowing why you’re working out will help you work harder and make your new schedule a habit.
Instead of just thinking “I want to lose weight”, make sure you have a clear goal that you can measure toward completion such as “I want to lose 15 pounds” or maybe “I want to build muscle in my glutes". Motivation alone won’t do, but clear and specific goals that motivate you will!
Pack your gym bag the night before
When you’ve just woken up, the last thing you’ll want to do is start preparing everything for your workout – that’s something you should do at night! Having your bag ready not only means less time wasted in the morning, but you’ll also feel less overwhelmed about your new routine this way.
If you know you’ll be training your legs the next morning, you can make sure to have your bag ready with the right accessories such as an UPPPER Lifting Belt for heavy deadlifts and squats, and a pair of matching Ankle Straps for cable leg exercises! There are so many more lifting accessories you can take with you - plus any supplements you plan on taking - the point is pack it all the night before!
Take it a step further and have your workout outfit laid out and ready for you! The key is to make your morning as easy as possible so you can get up and hit your workout.
Get enough quality sleep
This one should be a given, even if you work out later in the day, because sleep is when most of the repair processes happen. You want to get good quality sleep to allow your body to fully recover and be ready for the next day. Not only that but feeling rested will help a ton when it comes to actually getting out of bed early and conquering your workout!
Go to bed at a reasonable time to get between 7-9 hours of sleep every night, making sure to avoid hefty dinners and stimulants such as caffeine late at night. If you have trouble falling asleep, you can try some light stretching before bed or have a relaxing cup of tea such as chamomile.
Place your alarm clock away from your bed
When it comes to waking up early, the snooze button is your worst enemy. It’s very tempting to hit it when you’ve barely opened your eyes and want to stay in bed for just a couple more minutes, but those minutes could turn into hours if you’re not careful!
To avoid hitting the snooze button so you can get to the gym on time, place your alarm clock or your phone away from your bed. Doing this means that you’ll need to get out of bed to turn it off, and while you’re already up it’s a lot less likely that you’ll hit snooze or go back to bed, so you can start your day right away!
Have a pre-workout if you need it
Getting up early is hard as it is, and if you're not a morning person you may feel sluggish. That's the last thing you want for your workouts! So, if you need something to wake you up and get you focused for your workout, consider taking a pre-workout supplement. If you prefer something more natural or don't want to break your fast (for those intermittent fasting) then have a cup of black coffee.
Keep the same wake-up schedule every day
The key to success is creating healthy habits that your body can follow naturally, but in order to achieve that you need to be constant with the changes that you make in your life. If you want to make working out in the morning a habit, you need to wake up every day at the same time!
Your body won’t register waking up early as a habit if you wake up one day at 5 AM, then the other at 8 AM, and then 6 AM on the next day. Pick a time that works best for you and stick to it, you’ll soon feel your body adjusting to this schedule and even waking up at that time without the need for an alarm. Just be consistent!
Tidy up beforehand if exercising at home
Last but not least, if you’d rather stay at home and work out there because it’s easier for you at that time or you just prefer your home gym, then make sure to have your space organized before you get there in the morning! If there’s something that can make you feel discouraged right before a workout is feeling like your environment isn’t welcoming.
If you have a bunch of equipment on the floor and clothes hanging from your workout machines, chances are you won’t feel like stepping into the room, or you’ll start cleaning up and lose time and energy in the process. To avoid this, make sure to tidy up right after you’re done with your workout, or do it the night before if you were too tired earlier!
Start your day on the right foot by working out early
Changing your workout schedule can be difficult to get used to at first, especially when it comes to early mornings, but it’s definitely worth it! Just make sure to set a clear goal and follow the rest of our tips and you’ll be on your way to a successful early-morning exercise routine that works for you and your lifestyle.
Need high-quality, stylish gear to pack in your gym bag?
UPPPER has you covered for leg days, back days, chest days – you name it! We strive to make fitness gear that is high-quality, durable, comfortable, stylish, and most importantly, designed to help take your workouts to the next level.
Find what your gym bag is missing at UPPPER.