Benefits of Morning Exercise

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a women healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Those words of wisdom from old Benny (Franklin, that is) make a lot of sense. Morning people pride themselves on being more productive, more successful, and more energized — and they sure act like they’ve got their stuff together (at least to us night owls).

I hear once you get into the healthy routine of waking up early in the morning to exercise, you come to appreciate the quiet stillness of the early morning, and a warm cup of coffee.

And, while the best time to work out is the time when you will work out most often, there are several benefits to working out early, too.

So, don’t press that snooze button yet — just get up and get going!

5 Great Reasons to Exercise in the Morning

You may end up being more productive There’s something to be said about checking the exercise box off on your to-do list first thing in the morning. Being up and exercising before most of the world wakes up is a great feeling, and is also very motivating. Afterwards, you’ll feel so clear and calm, and be set for a more successful day.

You can earn more family time While health is a top priority, and fitting in exercise time is mandatory, family likely comes first, and it’s nice getting ready for your day without feeling like everything is in total crisis mode. If you can train yourself to work out before the sun rises, and the kids (and the cats) wake up, you can spend more time with them appreciatively before you head to the office. Plus, after office hours, you can go right home instead of waiting on line for a crowded treadmill somewhere.

You beat the boss to the office That’s right, get it all done before your co-workers even wake up. Ever had an unexpected deadline or a last-minute 4:30 pm meeting sabotage your evening plans? Like always. Ever skipped a workout because you’re just too tired at the end of the day? Exercise is more likely to happen if you do it first thing.

You may feel less stressed and ready for your day We all have anxious moments thinking about deadlines or maybe feeling overwhelmed during a long commute. A morning workout can take some of the edge off to help ease daily stress, and potentially lower your blood pressure, too. (Say good-bye, road rage!) Studies show that even just 10 minutes of exercise (at any time of day) can provide psychological benefits, including lifting your mood.

You may improve your mental focus What do you do after the a.m. workout? Shower, slam a healthy breakfast, and get to work, right? Perfect time to kickstart your concentration and memory skills. Exercise (in general) has been shown to boost brain health, and morning exercise may also enhance your job performance and concentration, too.

What time do you work out? Tell us in Comments.