When it comes to working out, I’m definitely more of a night owl. I used to work out in the morning, though, and when I did it felt wonderful. Here’s hoping that this article will inspire you — and me — to work out in the AM instead of the PM.
It sets your energy level for the whole day.
You know those days where you have zero energy and you can’t seem to get yourself going? (Read: every day?) Early morning workouts will eliminate that problem for you. Working out, contrary to what you might think, can give you more energy instead of draining your energy. Having this energy all day will do wonders for the rest of your day.
It gets your workout out of the way.
Many people see working out as an obligation instead of something they genuinely enjoy doing. If you’re one of those people, working out in the morning will allow you to cross it off your to-do list early. It’ll give you more time at the end of the day to do everything else you need and want to get done.
It keeps your metabolism up all day.
Most people who work out do it because, at least to some extent, they want to maintain their figures. Metabolism is a key part in this, and everyone knows working out raises your metabolism. But working out early? That’s a recipe for a high metabolism all day.
It will make your day happier.
Very few people feel worse after a workout, and there’s a reason for that. Working out releases endorphins, which are basically happy hormones. These endorphins can keep your mood up all day. Many people with depression even find that exercise is a valuable therapy.
You will sleep better at night.
Since working out can make you more energetic afterwards, working out at night can make sleeping difficult at the end of the day. Working out at the beginning of the day will make your day longer, which will in turn give you a more consistent sleep schedule. (And, of course, getting a good night’s sleep is an important prerequisite to waking up early to work out!)
For your own health and happiness, you should definitely consider working out in the morning. It’ll be difficult to get used to setting your alarm an hour and a half earlier, but you’ll soon realize that the benefits far outweigh the aggravation.