25 Benefits of Morning Exercise + Why You Should Get Moving Before Work

In today’s fast-paced world, finding a consistent time for exercise can be challenging. However, starting your day with a workout can positively impact your health, productivity, and overall well-being. This article explores the myriad advantages of morning exercise and provides practical tips on incorporating it into your daily fitness routine.

At Mobo Co, a premier coworking space in South Brisbane, Queensland, we understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. We believe that a morning exercise habit can be a game-changer for our clients, helping them start their workday positively. So, let’s dive into morning workouts and discover the positive impact of exercise timing, especially why you should get moving before work.

25 Benefits of Morning Exercise

Embracing the morning with a burst of physical activity can profoundly impact your day and overall health. This section will delve into 25 compelling reasons to set your alarm clock early and start your day with a workout. These benefits of exercise will motivate you to make morning exercise a regular part of your routine.

1. Fewer distractions: There are typically fewer distractions and interruptions in the morning, which allows you to focus on your workout and get it done without any hindrances.
2. Beat the heat: Morning exercise can be more comfortable and safer in warmer climates as temperatures are usually cooler than in the afternoon or evening.
3. Healthier food choices: Morning exercise can set a healthy tone for the day, making you more likely to choose nutritious foods.
4. Increased alertness: Exercise stimulates the body and mind, which can help you feel more awake and alert in the morning.
5. More overall energy: Frequent exercise can boost your energy levels, helping you feel more energetic throughout the day.
6. Better focus: The increased alertness and energy from morning exercise can lead to better focus and concentration during the day.
7. Better mood: Exercise releases happy hormones, the body’s natural mood elevators, which can lead to improved mood.
8. Support weight loss: Morning exercise can kickstart your metabolism, helping you burn more calories throughout the day and support weight loss.
9. Appetite control: Exercise can help regulate your appetite, preventing overeating and unhealthy snacking.
10. Increased overall activity: Starting your day with exercise can motivate you to stay active throughout the day.
11. Blood glucose control: Exercise helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for individuals with diabetes.
12. Blood pressure management: Frequent exercise can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
13. Improved quality of sleep: Regular morning exercise can help regulate your body’s internal clock, leading to an amazing sleep at night.
14. Improves overall well-being: Regular exercise can improve your physical and mental health.
15. Helps sustain a healthy diet: Regular exercise can motivate you to eat healthy to fuel your workouts.
16. Keeps you energised and activated all day: Regular morning exercise can boost your energy levels, helping you feel more active and productive throughout the day.
17. Generates positive emotions: Exercise releases endorphins, improving your mood and generating positive emotions.
18. Fights against diseases: Regular exercise can strengthen your immune system and help prevent various diseases.
19. Improves cognitive function: Exercise can improve brain function and cognition, leading to better memory and thinking skills.
20. Infuses mindful behaviour: Exercise, especially forms like yoga, can promote mindfulness and improve mental health.
21. Ignites power concentration: The increased alertness from exercise can lead to better focus and concentration.
22. Boosts mental health: Regular exercise can reduce symptoms of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Morning exercise can lower your cortisol levels (stress hormones).
23. Helps your skin look healthy: Regular exercise increases blood flow, which can help nourish skin cells and keep your skin looking healthy.
24. Leads to good habit formation: Regular exercise can help you develop stronger exercise habits, like a consistent workout routine.
25. Guides your spiritual health: Some forms of exercise, like yoga and tai chi, can also have spiritual benefits, promoting a sense of peace and well-being.

Suggested Reading: Find out how Mobo Co is revolutionising work and lifestyle

Should You Eat Before Morning Exercise?

Whether to eat before morning exercise is common, and the answer can depend on the individual and the type of exercise. According to Mayo Clinic, these are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros of Eating Before Morning Exercise:

1. Energy supply: Eating a light meal or snack before your workout can provide the necessary energy for your exercise, particularly important for high-intensity or long-duration workouts.
2. Prevent low blood sugar: Eating before a workout can help maintain blood sugar levels, preventing feelings of light-headedness or fatigue.
3. Increased performance: Consuming a carbohydrate-rich meal can improve physical performance, allowing you to exercise longer or at a higher intensity.

Cons of Eating Before Morning Exercise:

1. Digestive issues: Eating too close to your workout can lead to stomach discomfort during exercise. Finishing eating at least one hour before your workout is recommended to avoid this.
2. Interference with ‘fat burning’: Some believe exercising on an empty stomach promotes fat burning. However, this topic is controversial, and the overall impact on weight loss might be negligible.

Ultimately, the decision to eat before exercise should consider your comfort, the duration and intensity of your workout, and your overall goals. If you eat, focus on a light meal or snack consisting of easy-to-digest carbohydrates and some protein. Examples include a banana with a small amount of almond butter, a piece of toast with a hard-boiled egg, or a small smoothie.

Remember, everyone is different. What works best for one person might not work as well for another. Listening to your body and doing what feels best for you is important.

Morning vs. Evening Workouts

The debate between morning and evening workouts is common, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Workout time can depend on your exercise schedule, energy levels, and preferences. Some people might find it easier to maintain a consistent exercise routine by working out in the morning, while others might prefer the relaxation and stress relief of an evening workout.

A study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that the best time of day to exercise can also depend on your gender and your specific health or fitness goals. For example, the study found that women who exercised in the morning lost more body fat and had better blood pressure control than those who exercised in the evening. On the other hand, men who exercised in the evening experienced greater fat burning and better blood pressure control than those who exercised in the morning.

Ultimately, the most important thing is choosing a consistent time of day that fits your lifestyle and helps you consistently stick with your exercise routine.

Suggested Reading: 20 Effective Ways to Achieve Work-Life Balance in a Coworking Environment

How to Change Your Morning Routine for Exercise

Incorporating morning exercise into your daily routine can seem challenging, especially if you’re not a morning person. However, with a few practical tips, you can make this healthy habit a part of your lifestyle:

1. Plan your morning activity: Many people find exercising first thing in the morning is the easiest to keep a daily routine. Try planning your morning activity the night before. Lay out your exercise clothes, download a podcast episode or playlist, and prep your pre-workout meal.
2. Take small steps: Committing to just 30-minute exercise sessions per day will improve your health. But also, trying to move more and sit less can help. Some physical activity is better than none, so focus on what you can do during your day.
3. Do something you enjoy: The best way to stick with a morning exercise habit is to do something you enjoy. Whether it’s yoga, running, or a dance class, find an activity you look forward to.
4. Invite friends with the same goal: If exercising alone doesn’t appeal to you, recruit a friend or family member to join. You and your exercise buddies can motivate each other to stay consistent.
5. Convenience: The more convenient your exercise routine is, the easier it will be. Choose activities that can be done near your workplace or your home.
6. Monitor your progress: Using an activity tracker or smartphone app to track your progress can be motivational. Most offer the ability to set small goals and gradually build on them. Seeing your progress over time can help you stay engaged and continue to exercise.

Remember, the goal is to make morning exercise a habit that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. It may take some time to adjust, but with consistency, it will become a natural part of your daily exercise routine.

How to Achieve the Best Results from a Morning Exercise?

To maximise the benefits of your morning exercise routine, consider these strategies:

1. Modify your sleep schedule: Gradually adjust your bedtime and wake-up time to accommodate your morning workout without sacrificing hours of sleep.
2. Gradually increase your workout duration: Start with a shorter workout and slowly increase the duration as your body adapts to the new routine.
3. Prepare your exercise equipment beforehand: Set out your workout clothes and gear the night before to make it easier to start in the morning.
4. Fuel your body with a healthy morning meal: Consume a light but healthy breakfast before your workout to provide energy for your morning sweat session.
5. Engage in enjoyable physical activities: Choose a form of exercise that you find enjoyable, which will make your workout something to look forward to, increasing the likelihood of sticking with it.

Conclusion

Morning exercise offers many benefits that significantly enhance your overall well-being and productivity. The advantages of starting your day with a workout are clear, from fewer distractions and healthier food choices to improved mood, better focus, and increased overall energy. Moreover, morning exercise can support weight loss, control appetite, increase overall activity, and manage blood glucose and blood pressure. It can also improve sleep quality, well-being, cognition, and mental and spiritual health.

That’s why Mobo Co offers a variety of classes and events to promote well-being, fitness, and networking. Our yoga and fitness enhancement classes are perfect for incorporating morning exercise into your routine. Collaborative networking events and members’ monthly events offer a platform to engage with like-minded individuals.

Suggested Reading: What is Networking? + 15 Tips on How to Network Effectively

Our services, which include office suites, coworking spaces, virtual offices, and meeting rooms, are designed to foster a productive and healthy work environment. We believe that a morning exercise routine can be a game-changer for our clients, helping them start their workday positively.

We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities and experience the transformative power of morning exercise. Whether you’re a start-up, an entrepreneur, or part of a small or large corporation, integrating morning exercise into your routine can improve performance, enhance well-being, and create a balanced lifestyle. Start your journey towards a healthier, more productive life by incorporating morning exercise into your routine today.