Do you want to start scheduling your gym sessions before work, bright and early in the morning? Well, that’s definitely a great idea! Here are some exercise tip to help you succeed.
Morning workouts are very effective and make you a more productive person overall. This way, when you’re back in the evening, you don’t have the looming responsibility of getting in some exercise.
But fitting in time before work is not easy. You need to do a number of things to get used to the routine. And let’s not forget how hard it is to stay motivated every day.
That’s why we’re here with some pre-workout and exercise tips for the morning. These will help you to ease into the practice and make your life a lot easier.
Exercise Tip 1- Wake Up Early
Mornings are usually the busiest times of the day. So, the only way to get in a proper workout is to wake up early.
Set your alarms, and always go to bed early. Waking up early will give you enough time to prepare for the gym and activities for the day.
This way, the morning workout won’t be a nuisance. You’ll be getting some exercise in while still fulfilling your responsibilities on time.
Don’t Go on an Empty Stomach
When you work out, you’ll be needing a lot of energy. Even if you want to lose weight, it’s never a good idea to go on an empty stomach. Your tummy will be grumbling the whole time, you’ll feel faint, and your mind will definitely not be cooperating for the intense exercise that you planned.
Learn the healthy facets of fasting – because it’s not just about skipping meals!
Click here to learn more!
Not wanting to eat breakfast right away is understandable. But it is important to have a light snack before you go. You could consider whipping up a healthy smoothie or munching on a protein bar.
Even better is if you can eat something that gives long-lasting energy like bananas and apples.
Some people actually feel nauseous if they eat before a workout. That’s why it’s recommended to eat at least an hour before. But obviously, this will vary for everyone. Observe how you feel for a few days and adjust your snack times accordingly.
Drink Plenty of Water
The importance of drinking water can never be stressed enough, it is an important exercise tip. Exercising means you’re going to be sweating excessively, which can leave you dehydrated, Plus, staying hydrated will help you concentrate, perform better, and prevent muscle cramping
So, you’ll need to drink lots of water before, during, and after you go to the gym. But lots of water doesn’t mean uncountable gallons in one go.
Chugging down water in the last 30 minutes won’t do any good. It will only lead to frequent bathroom breaks. Just start drinking right when you wake up and set a goal to finish the required amount gradually.
Water requirements vary according to body measurements, gender, and workout intensity. But in general, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, we should be drinking 20 ounces of water before a workout.
Tidy Up
Before heading out to the gym, make sure you tidy up your house. A tidy house will give you a fresh start to the day. It will also motivate you to be active and keep you in a calmer state of mind.
Make your bed first thing in the morning, so you won’t go back to sleep. Set aside what you’ll wear for the day, and pack your bag early on. This way, when you come back from the gym, it will help you get ready for work much faster.
Exercise tip # 2 Do Some Warm-Ups
Warm-ups are essential for a good workout. They are meant to get your blood flow going and increase your body’s temperature. This ensures that you are powered enough for your gym session. Your warm-up shouldn’t be too intense, though. A simple five minutes at the treadmill or stationary bike will do. Move your shoulders, knees, and wrists around and go for a jog. You just need to get a little sweat going.
Consider buying a foam roller for your warm-ups as well. Using one will relax your bunched-up muscles, leading to better movement control.
Dress Well
If you’re someone who just pulls on some sweatpants and a long t-shirt, it’s time to make a change.
We often tend to think of workouts as an annoying responsibility. Because of this, we don’t really make an effort on our appearance, which ultimately gives us a negative outlook on exercise.
I’m not saying you should glam up and go to the gym. But it does help to make an effort and look alive. Being your best outside will make you feel great from within. Certain items like compression shorts actually help you perform better in the gym.
Dressing up in gym clothes gets you motivated for the day and ready to go out. So, invest in some nice, comfortable athletic wear and dress as if you’re going to be interviewed on TV (but of course, practically!). Consider adding a pop of color too, and definitely try out different designs.
Exercise tip # 3: Prepare a Post Workout Reward
It’s not easy waking up every day and going to the gym. But being consistent is key. And the best way to continue your routine is to stay motivated by rewarding yourself.
Your goal is to make these morning workouts a habit. To form a habit, you need to reward yourself when you succeed. You also need to make yourself accountable when you don’t.
After your gym session, give yourself a reward. It could be a delicious but healthy breakfast, a piece of chocolate, a relaxing shower, or even just 15 minutes of your favorite show.
If your brain associates happy things with exercise, you’re more likely to follow the routine. And if you do fail to attend one day, make sure you acknowledge this and make up for it later.
Take Some Helpful Supplements
There are a variety of supplements you can take that will help your workouts to be more successful. These are usually mixed with drinks a while before the workout. Just make sure you know what you’re looking for, and research the ingredients well.
Supplements containing caffeine give you more energy and increase your focus. Some supplements are also designed to increase endurance.
Arginine-based ones are also a good choice as they are vasodilators that help out with your muscle pumps
Get Some Friends on Board
It’s a good idea to get into the morning workout routine with a friend. Having a companion when you start something new always makes it more fun.
Plus, when you skip out, you’ll have someone to be accountable to. The gym sessions will become a bonding experience as well as an early hangout. This will elevate your mood and make your exercise way more productive.
If you don’t have any friends who are willing, try making new ones at the gym itself. Or perhaps you could join a healthy online community. Either way, it will make you feel like you’re a part of something bigger.
Drink a Cup of Coffee
This may not seem like an exercise tip. But coffee is well-known for making you more alert. So, for those groggy days where you’re finding it difficult to stay awake, make a cup of coffee before you head out.
Drink some coffee 15 to 30 minutes before you head out for the gym. This will give you the energy boost you need for all that physical activity. It will also reduce fatigue if you’ve had a long night.
In fact, there is a lot of research work that has proved coffee is a good drink for workouts. One of those studies found that having coffee before exercise allows people to use more energy and improve their performance.
Conclusion
Our most important exercise tip is to stay committed. Going to the gym in the mornings may be difficult at first. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll want it no other way.
Your day starts early on, and you feel like you’ll be able to handle everything. It basically gives you a sense of accomplishment that sets the mood for the rest of your day.
The first week might be all over the place, but you’ll need to be patient. Stick to a routine, and you’ll be good to go. Hopefully, the tips given here will help you on this path.
