You may not be a morning person right now, but should you try to adapt to morning exercise?
Studies show that consistent exercise leads to moderate weight loss — no matter when you work out. However, morning workouts may give you a boost that goes beyond fat-burning.
If you’ve thought about switching to a morning workout routine, this post is for you!
We’ll break down the benefits of early exercise, whether shifting to morning exercise is good for night owls, and whether you need a meal before you hit the gym.
Let’s get started!
Should You Exercise in the Morning?
Hitting the gym in the morning is an excellent way to wake up, get your blood pumping, and start your day off on the right foot.
Many people find that choosing morning exercise makes it easier to create a routine.
Instead of trying to fit a workout into your schedule wherever you can, dedicating to early exercise helps you become more mindful of your schedule.
AM exercise sessions may also allow you to get a workout in before your “normal” day even starts, making it feel like you aren’t sacrificing another part of your life for the gym.
Is it better to start your day with a workout?
The best exercise session is one that fits into your day. If you consistently struggle to wake up early or don’t feel awake in the morning, an earlier workout routine may not be better for you.
However, a 2019 study by researchers Chaix and Panda found that morning exercise can shift your circadian rhythm! If you’ve always wanted to be a morning person, dedicating to an early exercise routine may be what you need.
The Benefits of Early Exercising
Opting for early exercise comes with many incredible benefits. The more you work out in the morning, the more likely it is for you to experience:
Better sleep. Moderate exercise earlier in the day can help you fall asleep faster when bedtime rolls around. An analysis of distance runners found that early moderate exercise also improved their sleep efficiency.
Improved focus and productivity. Working out gives you a boost of feel-good hormones called endorphins. These endorphins boost your mood and improve your decision-making all day long.
A better metabolism. It’s no secret that physical activity kickstarts your metabolism. Morning exercise gets your metabolism working earlier and helps it stay elevated throughout the day.
Lower blood pressure. Morning exercise helps regulate your blood pressure throughout the day and improves your nocturnal blood pressure. Lower blood pressure will improve your overall heart health (and it’s good for sleep, too).
As a bonus, morning exercise helps you adopt more healthy habits. Starting your day with a workout encourages you to reach for more nutritious food options and often pushes you to increase overall activity levels throughout the day.
One Con of Morning Workout Sessions
Working out in the morning has so many benefits that it’s easy to think that making the switch right away would be beneficial.
But you may want to think about exercising at a different time if your focus is strength training.
Choosing to strength train in the morning can limit performance because it’s hard to fully warm up before a morning training session.
Shifting your strength training to the afternoon is a great way to avoid this problem and get the most out of your routine.
Should You Do Morning Exercise on an Empty Stomach?
Training on an empty stomach has pros — especially if your focus is cardio.
Fasted morning exercise helps you accelerate fat loss by improving fat oxidation, and it’s often more convenient to exercise right away instead of waiting for a meal to settle.
However, you must be careful when exercising without food on your stomach.
Some adverse side effects of a fasted workout include increased fatigue, lower performance, and potential lightheadedness.
The best way to determine if fasted exercise is right for you is to start slow. Give yourself a few days at medium intensity and listen to your body as you monitor negative effects. If you feel fine, try working out on an empty stomach for a while to determine if you see more benefits!
Should Beginners Workout Every Morning?
Shifting your workout routine is challenging, and you should never push yourself too hard.
If you want to establish a morning routine, exercise every other morning and incorporate active rest into your off days.
The more comfortable you become with your new routine, the more exercise you can add!
Start Your Morning Off Right With Fit Body Boot Camp
At Fit Body Boot Camp, we work with you to establish the best routine for you!
Whether you’re an early bird who wants a 5 AM fitness session or a night owl, we offer 30-minute, high-intensity workouts that help you burn fat and achieve your fitness goals.
Stop by a location near you to learn more about everything we have to offer!
