Waking up for work is hard enough, so why would we set an alarm to wake up even earlier for a workout? The answer is simple. Early morning workouts give you extra physical and mental health benefits that might not come with working out after a long day at work.
While you are in control of when you want to work out, some experts say that exercising in the morning comes with a few added benefits. If you’re not a morning person, you might want to switch up your routine and set your alarm a little earlier than you would and get your workout in.
Forget hitting the snooze button and get out of bed early to kickstart your physical and mental health. You might even come to love your new routine.
Benefits of Exercising in the Morning
Here are a few benefits of working out in the morning that might just convince you to start your morning routine a little earlier.
1. Your Hormones Work to Your Advantage
Important hormones such as testosterone, which promotes muscle building, are at elevated levels in the morning. By working out in the morning, you use these hormones to your advantage and boost your chances of building muscle when these hormones are at their peak rather than when they are at lower levels during other times of the day.
2. Boosts Metabolism
Exercise promotes caloric burn even after you have completed your workout. One study shows that participants who exercise burned an extra 190 calories in 14 hours after exercises, compared to those who did not exercise.
Therefore, with a morning workout, you will activate your metabolism with your exercise, and the food you eat during the day will only continue to replenish and refuel your body due to this metabolic boost.
3. Less Likely to Skip Your Workout
Once you’re up and awake, there is very little that can come in the way of you and your workout. We are often swayed by busy schedules and plans that come up during the day that require us to skip our regular workouts or make us too tired to go through with them in the first place.
If you’ve completed your workout in the morning, you are free to go through with all the plans and obstacles you’re faced with during the rest of the day.
4. Improves Physical and Mental Energy
Exercise is not only beneficial for your physical health but it positively impacts your mental health as well. Exercising in the morning keeps us active all day long and also help us stay focused and awake throughout the day.
An early morning start will keep you more refreshed and ready to take on your busy schedule at work.
5. Lowers Blood Pressure
Some research shows that individuals who work out in the morning experience lower blood pressure by 10%, which continues to lower at night. Since most heart attacks seem to occur in the morning, squeezing an early session in the morning can be highly effective in reducing such risks.
6. Promotes Sleep
Working out in the morning keeps you active all day long, therefore, if you decide to take a class in the evening or at night, your workout might get you amped up and leave you wide awake in the middle of the night.
Getting your exercise in early promotes relaxation and helps you achieve deeper, longer, and fuller sleep when you finally get into bed after a long day. Additionally, exercise promotes relaxation of the mind and body.
The feel-good hormones released from exercise help to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress and, therefore, keep the mind free of any tension and negative energy. With a more relaxed mind, you are able to enjoy a much-needed good night’s sleep.
7. Effective Weight Loss
Starting your day with an early morning workout can keep your cravings at bay and make you more mindful of what you eat during the day. By maintaining a healthy diet and exercising in the morning, your body burns more calories efficiently and at a faster rate throughout the day.
Some studies show that exercising on an empty stomach seems to burn more fat (as much as 20%) compared to working out after a meal.
Get Active and Stay Fit
Keep an open mind and try out something new every once in a while. Exercise routines are important to keep in order to maintain physical and mental well-being. It’s never too late to benefit from the power of working out early in the morning and get your exercise in to stay refreshed and active all day long.
Quick FAQs
1. How many calories should you eat before a morning workout?
While there is no specific number or amount of calories you should eat before a workout, it is recommended to eat something light and healthy to fuel your body for exercise.
2. How much water should you drink before a morning workout?
If you’re awake 2 to 3 hours before your morning workout, it is recommended to drink about 17 to 20 ounces of water, and another 8 ounces approximately 20 to 30 minutes before your workout, according to The American Council on Exercise.
3. How long should a typical morning workout last?
The amount of time you spend on your morning workout depends on you. You can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 120 minutes depending on your fitness goals and amount of time you want to spend on your workout.
The content of this Website is for is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.
References:
7 Benefits of Morning Exercise, Plus 5 Secrets To Make It Happen! (2018, March 22). Retrieved from https://makeyourbodywork.com/benefits-of-morning-exercise/
Lawler, M. (2017, August 01). 8 Reasons You Should Work Out In the Morning. Retrieved from https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/8-health-benefits-morning-workouts
Cologlu, M. F. (2017, August 23). 8 Benefits To Working Out In The Morning. Retrieved from https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/8-benefits-to-working-out-in-the-morning.html
5 benefits of morning exercise. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/5-benefits-of-morning-exercise
5 Reasons Why Exercising Early In The Morning Is Worth It (#4 Is The Best!). (2017, October 20). Retrieved from https://dailyhealthpost.com/5-benefits-of-early-morning-exercise/
