London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

How to become an early morning workout person

How to become an early morning workout person

There are two types of workout people – those who begin with an exercise session first-thing, and those who blow off steam at the end of the day.

Of course, there are pros and cons to both – but it’s considerably harder to push yourself to get up earlier to exercise before your day starts.

After all, that extra hour in bed is always more appealing than a run when an alarm goes off at 6am.

If you’ve always dreamt of being a morning workout person, then the clocks going forward this weekend could be the perfect opportunity to get things in order.

Days will be longer and mornings will be brighter, which means getting up should be a little easier.

Experts have suggested a few simple ways to help your body adjust to an early morning exercise session and have outlined some useful tips to keep in mind.

Start slow


Jason Bone, head of strength at FLEX Chelsea, says it’s important not to set yourself up to fail straight away and a good way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to start slowly.

‘If you’re not already an early riser the key is to start slowly, get up 15 minutes earlier than you usually would and just give yourself a 10 minute workout, probably best to start with some mobility exercises or a walk,’ he tells Metro.co.uk.

Jason also recommends drinking a glass or two of water, as this will help with rehydration and to flush out the stomach and balance the lymphatic system.

He adds: ‘Each week set the alarm 15 minutes earlier and increase the intensity of the exercise until you’re at a full hour session. Workouts such as yoga and pilates are great to start with regardless of your goal, they will help with your energy levels.

‘As you start to feel more alert you can add mini body weight circuits to your routine and even add weights depending on your goals.’

Prep your clothes the night before


It might sound really simple but having your workout clothes out ready to go may encourage you to get up. It’ll also help you to form a habit.

Health coach Charlene Gisele says: ‘If you prepare in advance, you are a step closer to building a powerful habit. The hardest part (getting ready for the workout) is then done. This is a way to trick your mind with a technique called habit staking.

‘If you put your trainers in a place where you know you’ll see it before you reach for coffee, then you know you’ve got to earn that coffee with a workout first, which is a big motivator.’

Remember the end feeling

The feel-good endorphins will set you up for the day

Natalie Edwards, a trainer for home fitness and nutrition app Open Fit, says to keep the feel-good end of the workout in mind and how it will set you up nicely for the day ahead.

She says: ‘Waking up early and getting your morning sweat can feel like a big challenge – sometimes we just want to hide under the duvet, but remember exercise releases endorphins giving you that feel good high – it’ll transform your day.

‘Morning miles fill the lungs with fresh air ahead of your day. Strength sessions can empower and set the tone of your day – think about how you want to feel and how exercise can really change your mindset for a day working from home or looking after the kids.’

Have an incredible playlist


Music has the power to make you feel motivated, happy and just generally better. So take some time to create a playlist that will make you feel energised for the session you are going to complete – whether it’s slow yoga or high-intensity running.

Jericho McMatthews, a trainer at Beachbody On Demand, says: ‘Having a killer playlist is definitely a must. Music has the ability to change our mood instantly.

‘Selecting tracks that match the mood or intensity of your workout can help you push harder, lift your pace or power through fatigue and discomfort during the most challenging parts of your circuit.’

But don’t forget to mix up your playlists once in a while, to keep things fresh and exciting.

Stretch to wake yourself up


‘Stretching is a fundamental activity that is often overlooked – and something that is almost as valuable to the body as sleeping and drinking water,’ says Rachele Gilman, director of Stretch Inc.

Of course, stretching is important at any time of day, but it’s particularly great in the morning as it helps to wake your body up after a night of sleep.

Rachele adds: ‘In the morning, our natural inclination is to stretch, most people do it without thinking.

‘When we sleep, bodies are relatively still, meaning our muscles haven’t moved for a significant amount of time. The intuitive full body stretch is your brain letting your body know it’s time to move. The movement starts to realign your body. We can improve that process by adding in some additional, less intuitive movements that can be done from your bed.

‘Be gentle with yourself. Don’t make any sudden movements and don’t jerk or force your body into positions you aren’t ready for. You’re still waking up and your muscles are warming up.

‘Remember to breathe into positions to take the stretch deeper and try to relax.’

A few early morning stretches to try from bed


* ‘Lying flat, pull your knees into your chest to release the low back. For self-massage, perform a slight side-to-side motion.

* ‘Now, a supine twist, still on your back, drop your knees to one side, turning your head and extending the arm to the opposite side. Switch sides.

* ‘Bring your knees back to centre and place both feet on your bed. Cross the right leg over the left, flexing the right foot just below the left knee. Neck and back flat on the bed.

* ‘Extend both legs out and sit up, fold your body over your legs, reaching for your toes. Reach as far as you can whilst keeping a flat back. The goal is a deep stretch, not to grab your feet.

* ‘Finally, sit on the edge of your bed with your feet on the floor and fold again, this time rounding the back, relaxing the neck and letting the arms hang towards the floor.

* ‘Give more time and thought to stretching and it’ll keep your body and mind mobile and resilient. It’ll aid posture, injury proof your body and improve general wellbeing.’

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×