The benefits of exercising in the morning

Even just thinking about exercising first thing in the morning may have you pulling your duvet up over your head and dropping off to the land of nod quicker than the speed of light, but getting your workout done and dusted early is a great idea. Here are just some of the benefits exercising in the morning…

For one, you can go around feeling smug all day because you don’t have to worry about having to drag yourself to the gym after work. You will be more of a morning person; with all of the endorphins in your body after exercising instead of being the office grump, you can transform yourself into a happier you.

Gysai Dowey a personal trainer from Speedflex agrees exercising in the morning can bring a whole heap of rewards. ‘There are many plus points to exercising first thing in the morning, the main one being that you get it done and dusted before life gets in the way’. In addition to this, ‘fasted cardio’, (i.e. exercising in the morning on an empty stomach) is a great way to burn fat if your primary goal is weight loss. Plus, the gym can also be quieter in the morning, so it’s a great time to go.

We all know exercising is crucial to being healthy and happy, Gysai explains that exercise is also a brilliant stress reliever, which can help with a busy work and social life. Regular exercise can also help to prevent certain diseases and strengthen bones, so you safeguard your health in the long term too.

It’s important to know what exercise we should be doing first thing in the morning. ‘This is dependent on your goals and what you are hoping to achieve by exercising,’ says Gysai. ‘But to get the most out of a morning workout, do a mixture of cardiovascular and resistance training. This combination will help you achieve the majority of your goals: burning fat and building muscle’. Group workouts that combine these are a great option, as working out in a group will also help to boost your early-morning motivation and encourage you to workout at a higher intensity than you would alone.

With all of these obvious benefits of working out in the morning, there is still one block that could hold you back… yourself. Getting the motivation to actually get up an hour earlier can be one of life’s challenges. Gysai agrees. ‘Exercise is a great way to start the day, and however clichéd it sounds, you never regret a workout.’

So go on, challenge yourself and set your alarm that little bit earlier tomorrow to feel the benefits of exercising first thing in the morning.