Time to WAKE YOUR ASS UP! We all know the grind that comes with real life, work, kids and training. Now I'm going to tell something you may not want to hear and that is there are benefits to training first thing in the morning. Yeah, so now you n...
Time to WAKE YOUR ASS UP! We all know the grind that comes with real life, work, kids and training. Now I'm going to tell something you may not want to hear and that is there are benefits to training first thing in the morning. Yeah, so now you not only have to deal with life, you also have to wake your ass up early and hit the gym - here's why you should workout in the morning.
1. The Gym is Not As Crowded In The Morning
Trying to do a complex superset across multiple sets of weights or machines is nearly impossible when the gym is packed. There are fewer people in the morning making it quicker and easier to get your work done exactly how you want to get it done. Waking up a little earlier is definitely worth the convenience of an efficient workout and not having to wait around for equipment to open up.
2. Testosterone Levels Are High In The Morning
It has been scientifically proven that our testosterone levels are significantly higher in the morning. This crucial hormone, we all know, helps build muscle and when testosterone levels are elevated in the body. By hitting the weights early in the morning, we can take advantage of this naturally occuring phenomenon and get jacked when our T levels are at their highest.
3. Healthy Life Balance
I have four kids and a wife. Hitting the weights early in the morning when everyone is still sleeping places less guilt on me as I'm having my "me" time at a time when I'm not neglecting my family. Mornings are usually filled with waking up, eating breakfast and shuffling off to work and school, so slamming my workout into the morning allows me not to miss out on any crucial family time.
4. Improve Focus At Work
A solid workout can increase your focus on the next activity because your body is stimulated already. Typically a morning workout will be followed by work or school. This means that a main advantage of working out in the morning is you'll be more alert during the times when it is important to not be dragging. You will also have more time in the evening to focus on family or maybe other side businesses which means you'll be getting better while your competition slept-in and is working out in the evening.
5. Less Likely To Skip A Workout
Set that alarm and wake your ass up. Slam some coffee or your favorite pre-workout supplement and get your ass to the gym. During the day the number of distractions you may encounter is high. You may get slightly depressed, distracted or something unexpected may arise. Typically in the morning, you have a fresh start and nothing should get in your way. Wake up, workout, move on with your day.
It may take a cup of coffee to get your morning going, but once you're up, there are few distractions on your way to the gym. But later in the day, any number of distractions can sabotage your workout: less motivation, fatigue, the gang is going out for some drinks, a sick child, an overdue report for work or school.
If you've already completed your workout, you can simply roll with whatever obstacles come up later in the evening without feeling bad that you missed another day. You're far more likely to be consistent with your training if you get it done early in the day rather than waiting for later.
6. Boost Your Metabolism
We all know that exercise can boost your metabolism. The degree to which it is raised is based on a number of factors including your current fitness level and the type of physical activity you engage in. Working out in the morning will trigger a phenomenon called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. CrossFit or intense body building workouts are the best types of workouts to trigger EPOC and boost your metabolism for the entire day which will allow you to burn more fat.
7. Motivation
Working out is brutal. And if you're pushing yourself hard, it may be the hardest thing you have to do all day. It takes mental focus, energy to lift weights like a maniac. If you can get out of bed and attack your workout, everything else you do during the day should be EASY! So wake your ass up and get going. Sure I have a demanding job, but usually the thing that worries me most throughout the day and night is "man, my workout is going to kick my ass". And if that's the biggest thing I have to worry about, nothing else should slow me down!
