As if getting out of bed is not hard enough, exercising first thing in the morning can be positively dreadful.  Unless you are naturally a morning person, finding motivation for an AM workout can be difficult but knowing the task to come is going to leave you feeling energized and refreshed can help get you out of bed without hesitation.

The sluggish feeling you get when you wake up is because your body temperature is at its lowest point for the day, creating muscle stiffness.  Exercising in the morning with increase blood circulation and warm up the body, helping to raise your metabolism right away.

Studies have shown that people who work out in the morning are less likely to skip out on their daily routine.  It also helps aid productivity, improving mental acuity for hours.  Exercise provides natural energy, which may reduce the amount of coffee you feel you need.

For added motivation, invite a friend to join you.  Breaking a date will make it more difficult to stay in bed.  If you are not already a morning exerciser, here are a few simple workouts that will help you reap the benefits of an AM session.

Take A Walk

It’s important to warm up the body before any morning workout.  Walking is easy on your joints and can be done anywhere with minimal equipment.  All you need is a pair of sneakers.  Grab your iPhone and listen to the radio as you walk briskly for 15-30 minutes.  Advanced: If after a five-minute warm up you feel inspired to jog, go for it!

Yoga

Start your day with a series of Sun Salutations.  Practicing yoga in the morning helps you connect with your body and reduces stress.  Try doing yoga the morning before a big office presentation.  If you can’t find a class near you, try doing yoga in your home by watching either your computer or TV.  ExerciseTV OnDemand has a great selection of yoga videos that are offered for free.  YouTube also has a large library.  One of my favorite online yogi’s is Tara Stiles.  Check out her morning wake up yoga routine. Aim to do 15-60 minutes of yoga.

Swimming

Swimming is ideal for anyone suffering from painful joints in their lower body.  Not only does it improve cardiovascular conditioning without overworking, but the strokes and sounds of the water have a meditative effect on swimmers.  Try doing laps for some serious calorie burning.  You can also check out these water workout ideas to mix things up! Again, aim for at least 15-30 minutes.

Stretching*

While we sleep, our body temperature drops.  Without any real movement (besides crazy sleep walkers, like myself), blood circulation is at a minimum and our muscles get stiff.  When we wake up, our bodies benefit most from simple movements increasing the flow of oxygen throughout bodies.  Regularly stretching when you wake up will also provide many of the exercise benefits of morning workouts.  Try out this simple home flexibility routine to help feel refreshed all day long and maybe one day kick the coffee habit.

*If you are looking to lose weight, these sessions are not sufficient but may help you become one of those people who love to work out early.

ShareThis