Creating a fitness plan (and actually sticking to it) is by far among the healthiest decisions anyone can make. We all know that exercise is medicine. Besides being great for your heart health, mental wellness, physical fitness, and sleep, the list of benefits you can get from a regular workout regimen are literally endless.
But oftentimes, maintaining consistency also means creating a workout schedule that clearly highlights which days and what times of the day you’ll be hitting the gym or putting some rubber against the road. Most experts would vouch for morning workouts, and for a few convincing reasons.
That being said, here are five great reasons you should consider working out early in the morning.
1. Morning Workouts Can Help You Sleep Well at Night
Yes, you heard that right! As much as exercise can always help you sleep better as long as it’s not done too close to bedtime, morning working outs are apparently even better.
Multiple credible sources indicate that the best time of day for a workout based on circadian rhythm is early morning. If you work out outdoors, this is when the sun is just rising, so you’ll get a good dose of sunlight to normalize your sleep-wake cycle.
Moreover, it can stimulate the release of melatonin, the sleep-controlling hormone, earlier in the day, making it easier for you to fall asleep faster and better.
2. The Gym Might Be Less Crowded In the Morning
If you work out from a nearby gym, it is much more likely to find fewer people very early in the morning compared to the early evenings after work. This means more room and freedom to use whichever equipment you need to get that pump and start your day on a positive note.
After all, the last thing you want is to run late for work just because you had to wait around for someone else to get done with the bench or the cable machine.
3. You Start Your Day on a Good Note with a Workout
Are you looking for the best ways to kick-start your day? If you haven’t already, then you might want to consider working out early in the morning.
It might take some getting used to, but once you make it a routine, one thing will be certain. By starting early, you can get a full-length workout done before work, which will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the day’s job.
The adrenaline, sweating, motivation, and sense of accomplishment you get from an early morning workout can really make you feel awake and grant you the energy you need to face the rest of the day.
Besides helping promote physical energy, early-bird exercises can strengthen your attention, focus, and concentration levels, giving you the mental edge you need to get through the tough days.
The happy hormones produced during your workouts will also help brighten up your entire day. What’s more, it’s a great way to put your heavy breakfast to good use – because your metabolism will be boosted!
4. You Can Burn More Fat
Did we mention a boost of metabolism anywhere? If you’re looking to shed some pounds, you have more than enough reason to plan an early morning workout routine. In a 2015 study involving 10 lads, it was established that morning exercise performed before breakfast had the highest impact in increasing fat burning over 24 hours.
5. It’s More Practical In Summer
In the warmer months of the year, it can be extremely challenging to work out during the day, more so between 10 and 3 pm. Early morning workouts, on the other hand, usually feel more comfortable, especially if your workout regimen involves outdoor activities like biking or running.
The bottom line
You might or might not be a morning person, but the writing is on the wall. The above are just a few of the many reasons you might want to dedicate your early mornings to exercise! It can be a little tough at first, but the rewards will eventually be worth every tiny effort!
Read more about exercise and longevity
Exercise is important for your longevity. Read about how much exercise you will need to stay healthy by clicking on this longevity post:
