How to Train Early Morning

It’s the easiest thing in the world to spend the day telling yourself you’ll get up early tomorrow and get that gym session in, run or class done. It’s harder to actually stick to it when the morning comes. How many times have you set an alarm and hit snooze, only to later wake up at your usual time, workout missed?

Getting up is not the easiest thing to do, waking up an hour or two earlier to squeeze that workout in can be tough when it isn’t your habit. But if it’s the only time you’re able to train then needs must. But what can you do to make it more bearable…

You don’t have to be a morning person to reap the health benefits of early morning training sessions. If the morning is your only time, follow our simple steps to reap the benefits of exercise.

It all begins with planning, any fitness enthusiast who bounces out of bed at 4am will tell you the planning process and the process of actually getting up for an early morning workout starts the night before.

Pack Your Kit

We aren’t suggesting you go to sleep in you gym or running kit (although some do) but having your gym bag packed the night before saves you a few minutes in the morning. Having your kit ready to go is likely going to help you get out of the door too, as it’s one less thing to think about and one less excuse to have.

Apply this rule to you supps, your drinks and any food you need and you’ll be all set to go.

Prep Your Meals

No one, and we mean no one, wants to be getting up and cooking at four in the morning. Your house mates would likely not approve either. If you have your food, protein shakes, breakfast and snacks ready made and ready to go, you will find it easier to crack on with your morning training.

You’ll be up, kitted up, with your gym bag ready and all the fuel your body needs ready to go. It allows you to focus on your training and saves you cooking up a storm early morning before heading out to train.

Get to Bed Earlier

Getting a solid 7-9 hours of sleep will help you to feel less lethargic and less tired when you wake up. It will also help you to get up when the alarm goes. Getting to bed early and getting an extra hour or two can have a major effect on your mood, energy and ability to train in the morning. Get to bed earlier than usual, set your alarm, put your phone away, read a book and chill out before getting some z’s.

Set Alarms (plural)

Speaking of alarms, don’t just set one, set many. It’s too easy to snooze the first alarm and fall back to sleep. Also, if you set two alarms, one 30 mins prior to when you actually plan on getting up, you should feel more rested when the second alarm goes off. So, if you need to be up at 5am, set your first alarm for 4.30 am. Hit the off on the first alarm, should you fall asleep, your second alarm will go off and you should feel more rested and ready to get up.

Some people prefer to just get up and get going on the first alarm, and that’s absolutely fine. For those who struggle, the two alarm strategy might work well. Failing that, set an alarm every five minutes from 30 mins prior to getting up and one should eventually get you up!

Keep Your Alarm out of Reach.

Another alarm strategy that can work well, is placing it far from your bed. Putting it on the other side of the room means you’ll have to get up to turn it off. Once up, what’s the point of getting back into bed?

After a couple of weeks, getting up to switch off your alarm will become a habit and once the habit is formed, everything becomes much easier.

A happy circumstance of leaving your phone away from your bed…better quality sleep. You won’t be able to check social, watch videos or check emails. You can focus on the business of sleeping without distraction.

Early Morning Caffeine

Kick start your day with caffeine, it gives you a mental and physical boost and can set you off on the right foot. Any small advantage is a big win in the early am. If you haven’t got time to make a coffee, make a cold brew and leave it in the fridge. It still has the caffeine hit you might want but saves on the hassle of making it when you get up.

Get a Training Buddy

We all know at least one morning person. Why not join them on their morning routine, or get them to join yours. They will help you get out of bed and that pressure of letting someone down will help motivate yourself to get up and get cracking!

Takeaway Message

These tips, in combination, should help you get up and get out in the morning. Stick with it and it will become a habit. The more you do it, the more likely it is that you will find a routine that works for you and your needs. Keep it chilled, enjoy the quiet of early morning and get training !