Blog Fitness Fitness Tips How To Wake Up Early To Work Out And Master The Day With 21 Tips

How To Wake Up Early To Work Out And Master The Day With 21 Tips

Are you a night owl or an early bird? You don’t likely wonder why the gym is full when you pass it as the sun starts kissing the horizon. Meanwhile, wondering how to wake up early to work out like the energetic, vibrant people you see in the gym at the crack of dawn is an entirely different thought. Waking up early to exercise and move into the new day with a lively attitude is possible and recommended. Early morning exercise routines have immense benefits and aren’t impossible to learn. So, welcome to the discovery of your new morning routine.

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5 Benefits Of Waking Up Early To Exercise

Waking up early to exercise has numerous benefits for your mental and physical wellness. The benefits will motivate you even before you discover tips on motivating yourself. So, let’s briefly look at the five best advantages of morning workouts.

  • The Mirriam Hospital Medical School and two other nutrition experts studied consistent morning exercise and weight loss (12). The study revealed that consistent morning workout routines could help you lose weight. 
  • The University of Physical Education and four other departments studied the effect of HIIT morning exercises on testosterone levels (30). Men’s testosterone levels were good after HIIT morning workouts, helping them build muscle faster. 
  • The National Institute of Education in Singapore and another department studied how breakfast and exercise worked for students (8). Students improved their cognitive and academic performances because of higher motivation and positive mindsets. 
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine states how your brain releases stress hormones in the morning to end a sleep cycle (25). Meanwhile, Serotonin wakes you up (23). The American Psychological Association says morning workouts release serotonin (32). 
  • The Mayo Clinic confirms morning workout routines are effective methods to manage stress (13). Your stress levels start low for the day by boosting endorphins like dopamine. It’s called a runner’s high and sets a good mood for the day.

Read More: How To Workout Triceps With Dumbbells: 7 Of The Best Exercises

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how to wake up early to workout

The Best Tips For Waking Up Early To Work Out

Knowing how morning exercise helps you motivates you slightly. However, you’ll need essential tips to wake up early for an energy-boosting, mood-changing, and muscle-building workout. So, let’s discuss crucial tips to get you out of bed. 

8 Sleep Better To Wake Up Early Tips: An Evening Routine

The CDC suggests at least seven hours of sleep at night (17). You need to sleep earlier to get to exercise early. Plan a bedtime to wake up early enough to exercise. Here are tips from the Sleep Foundation and other experts to sleep early, deeper, and better (16):

  • Start a bedtime routine to help your brain distinguish between night and day (16). Consistency is the key to better sleep. 
  • Avoid nightcaps because alcohol interrupts your sleep cycle. Dr. Sabrina Felson suggests having no more than one glass of wine before bed if you can’t wake up (10). Also, don’t drink alcohol within two to three hours of bed. 
  • Houston Methodist Clinic recommends removing afternoon caffeine to sleep better (9). Caffeine stays in your body for six hours. It disrupts sleep cycles and bounces your sleep-wake hormones around.  
  • Put electronics away before the bedtime routine (16). Blue light tricks your brain into thinking it isn’t time to sleep and messes with your sleep-wake hormones. 
  • The Australian Institute of Business mentions how setting goals improves your chances of doing something (18). Plan your morning routine before bed. Make notes, pack your workout clothes on the table, and ensure you know what to do. 
  • Stretch or practice progressive muscle relaxation before bed to sleep better (16). Relaxing your muscles and stretching prevents cramps and increases sleep quality. 
  • Relax in a warm bath before bed to regulate body temperature (16). Your core body temperature drops to help you produce melatonin to fall asleep easier. 
  • Create a sleep oasis and adjust your bedroom temperature to sleep better (16). Close your curtains and dim the lights an hour before bed. The ideal sleeping temperature is 65 to 68°F.
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how to wake up early to workout

8 Tips For Waking Up Early: A Morning Routine

Waking up early may be challenging, but it improves if you sleep better. Consistency is the key in the Mirriam Hospital Medical School study about morning exercise and obesity (12). So, start building a morning routine that promotes better wake-up habits with these tips:

  • A digital programmable thermostat can schedule a temperature increase to wake you up (21). Cleveland Heating and Cooling recommends the ideal daytime temperature of over 78°F (22). Program the thermostat to adjust 15 minutes before waking up. 
  • Move your alarm clock further away from your bed to force you to get up to switch it off. Moving around after waking up to switch the alarm off will get you moving. Dr. Sabrina Felson recommends moving your alarm further to wake up (10). 
  • A snooze study in the Oxford Academic Journal shows how snoozing interrupts sleep cycles (26). Multiple alarms at 15-minute intervals catch you in a lighter sleep cycle. Don’t hit snooze. Instead, set 15-minute interval alarms. 
  • Alternatively, choose a Sleep Cycle alarm clock that wakes you during your lightest sleep stages (19). Sleep Cycle tracks and monitors your REM stages throughout the night to gently wake you up when sleeping lightly. 
  • The Tri-City Medical Center explains how the sun impacts you (1). It can help you wake up. Open your blinds or curtains when waking up. Otherwise, switch on a bright light if the sun isn’t shining in your bedroom to increase your waking state. 
  • Forbes explains how accountability ensures success for workouts and goals (6). Join a local training group chat to hold yourself accountable. Make it part of your morning routine to speak to a friend or training group quickly before a workout. 
  • No one enjoys losing money. Holding yourself accountable can also be as simple as booking non-refundable workout lessons for the morning. Gym memberships also help to keep you accountable, especially if you join early morning groups. 
  • Harvard Medical School suggests using realistic morning workouts to stick to the exercise program (27). Set a workout time that works for your physical abilities and motivation to be consistent, even if you start with 15 minutes every morning.
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how to wake up early to workout

5 Tips For Building Motivation To Wake Up Early And Work Out

Intrinsic motivation happens when you enjoy what you do at the time of doing it. Dr. Richard Cox explains how you should forget extrinsic motivation to exercise early (27). Instead, Dr. Cox says you should look inward for short-term goals beyond health and weight loss.

Here are ways to motivate yourself intrinsically to exercise in the morning by adding fun and things you enjoy:

  • Berkeley University of California suggests finding your purpose for wanting to exercise to motivate yourself (24). Purpose inspires passion, joy, determination, and motivation. Write down why you wish to exercise in the mornings.
  • The Maastricht School of Business and Economics studied how effectively imagining success and imagery motivated you (20). So, start visualizing your goals and dreams related to morning workouts daily. Focus on short and long-term goals. 
  • The New York Times suggests an ambient sound alarm clock that wakes you with gentle and soothing sounds (29). Meanwhile, you can program any sound to wake you up feeling motivated. Let it play your favorite music, podcast, or playlist. 
  • Create overnight meals that motivate your tastebuds. Harvard Medical School recommends complex carbs, protein, fruit, and vegetables to boost energy (2). Overnight oats with fresh fruit are ideal—plan food you love. 
  • The Stevens Institute of Technology explains how the scent of coffee can stimulate your brain to be productive (31). Preprogram your coffee maker to start brewing a sensually stimulating coffee about 10 minutes before your alarm rings.
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Read More: How To Get Energy To Workout: The Best Ways To Fuel Your Fitness

How Early To Wake Up Before A Workout

Harvard Medical School says 11 minutes of exercise daily also proves healthy (14). Wake up 20 minutes earlier than usual. You have enough time to wake up, move around, and sniff some glorious caffeine for motivation first. 

Waking Up Early To Work Out

Harvard Medical School recommends 150 hours of moderate or 75 hours of intense exercises weekly (14). That means 15 minutes of vigorous activity daily. You don’t have to stick to 15 morning minutes.

Harvard Medical School says 11 minutes of exercise daily also proves healthy (14). Start with 10 to 11-minute workouts if you’re new to early morning workouts. Let’s discover three wake-up workout routines that fit the bill, depending on your physical activity level.

how to wake up early to workout

3 Wake-Up Workout Routine Options

Let’s show you three workout routines for different physical activity levels. Each has an expert tutorial to help you practice it safely and efficiently. Choose one that suits you, and change them as you grow more comfortable.

10-Minute Gentle Wake-Up Exercise Routine

Flexibility will improve your muscle performance during the day to help you keep moving and adding minutes. A gentle morning workout routine with stretching is an excellent choice. The Mayo Clinic recommends stretching exercises and improved flexibility (28).

10-Minute Moderate Wake-Up Exercise Routine

The Mayo Clinic recommends adding moderate aerobic exercise to your morning workout routine for excellent benefits (7). Cardio workouts are fun, fast, and energetic. They build stamina, help you lose weight, reduce health risks, and boost your mood for the day. 

10-Minute Vigorous Wake-Up Workout Routine

Harvard Medical School explains how healthy high-intensity exercise is for your heart health early in the morning (15). HIIT workouts are increasingly popular with a younger crowd. They’re good for heart health in younger people but not older individuals.

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FAQs

Is It Easy To Learn How To Wake Up And Work Out Early?

Changing your sleep-wake cycle won’t happen overnight. However, the Sleep Foundation recommends using a bedtime routine to change your circadian rhythm (11). Going to bed and rising at the same time daily will start changing your cycle with consistency

Can I Discover How To Motivate Myself To Wake Up Early And Work Out?

Intrinsic motivation is when you feel excited by what you’re doing and enjoy every moment. Harvard Medical School recommends forgetting extrinsic motivation to exercise early (27). Instead, you should look inward for short-term goals beyond health and weight loss. 

Should I Know How Early To Wake Up Before Work To Work Out?

Harvard Medical School says 11 minutes of exercise daily also proves healthy (14). So, wake up 20 minutes earlier daily to enjoy a motivational routine before working out. Remember to sleep 20 minutes earlier at night to keep you fresh and healthy (16). 

Is It Hard Learning How To Wake Up For An Early Workout?

Changing any habit is challenging. However, the Mirriam Hospital Medical School study about morning exercise and obesity proves consistency is the key to success (12). Stick to your guns, commit to your routine, and motivate yourself every morning. 

The Bottom Line

Waking up early to exercise has incredible benefits; you’ll have fun in no time. Meanwhile, keep motivating yourself and using the morning and evening routines to stick to your guns. Start small with the suggested workouts, and strive for your best self with time.

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DISCLAIMER:

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

SOURCES:

  1. 5 Ways the Sun Impacts Your Mental and Physical Health – Tri-City Medical Center (n.d., tricitymed.org)
  2. 4 ways to boost your energy naturally with breakfast – Harvard Health (2019, health.harvard,edu)
  3. 10 Min Morning Workout Routine (Quick Cardio To Start Your Day) (2022, youtube.com
  4. 10 MIN MORNING WORKOUT – Stretch & Train // No Equipment (2020, youtube.com)
  5. 10 minutes morning HIIT (2022, youtube.com)
  6. Accountability: The Key To Success In The New Year (2023, forbes.com)
  7. Aerobic exercise: Top 10 reasons to get physical – Mayo Clinic (2022, mayoclinic.org)
  8. Breakfast and Exercise Improve Academic and Cognitive Performance in Adolescents – PMC (2021, nih.gov)
  9. Caffeine & Sleep: How Long Does Caffeine Last & Keep You Awake? | Houston Methodist On Health (2021, houstonmethodist.org)
  10. Can’t Wake Up: Tips to Make the Morning Easier (2022, webmd.com)
  11. Can You Change Your Circadian Rhythm? | Sleep Foundation (2023, sleepfoundation.org)
  12. Consistent Morning Exercise May Be Beneficial For Individuals with Obesity – PMC (2021, nih.gov)
  13. Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress – Mayo Clinic (2022, mayoclinic.org)
  14. Exercise matters to health and well-being, regardless of your size – Harvard Health (2021, health.harvard.edu)
  15. High-intensity exercise and your heart – Harvard Health (2021, health.harvard.edu)
  16. How to Build a Better Bedtime Routine for Adults | Sleep Foundation (2023, sleepfoundation.org)
  17. How Much Sleep Do I Need? | CDC (2022, cdc.gov)
  18. How Setting Goals Can Improve Your Work Performance (2014, aib.edu.au)
  19. How Sleep Cycle Works: Sleep Tracker & Alarm Clock User Guide (n.d., sleepcycle.com)
  20. Imagining Success: Multiple Achievement Goals and the Effectiveness of Imagery – PMC (2017, nih.gov)
  21. Programmable Thermostats | Department of Energy (n.d, energy.gov)
  22. Recommended Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer (2015, centralhtg.com)
  23. Serotonin control of sleep-wake behavior – PubMed (2011, nih.gov)
  24. Seven Ways to Find Your Purpose in Life (2020, berkeley.edu)
  25. Sleep/Wake Cycles | Johns Hopkins Medicine (n.d., hopkinsmedicine.org)
  26. Snoozing: an examination of a common method of waking | SLEEP | Oxford Academic (2022, oup.com)
  27. Sticking with your exercise program – Harvard Health (2017, health.harvard.edu)
  28. Stretching: Focus on flexibility – Mayo Clinic (2022, mayoclinic.org)
  29. The 7 Best Alarm Clocks of 2023 | Reviews by Wirecutter (2023, nytimes.com)
  30. The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training Periods on Morning Serum Testosterone and Cortisol Levels and Physical Fitness in Men Aged 35–40 Years – PMC (2021, nih.gov)
  31. The Scent of Coffee Appears to Boost Performance in Math | Stevens Institute of Technology (2018, stevens.edu)
  32. Working out boosts brain health (2020, apa.org)