Benefits to Working Out in the Morning

Benefits to Working Out in the Morning: There is no optimal time to exercise. In fact, the ideal time is the time to which you can devote. When it comes to exercising out, the time of day makes no difference in terms of results, but there are advantages to being an early riser.

Benefits to Working Out in the Morning

You are likely already aware of the numerous health benefits of exercise. Regular exercise is necessary to capitalize on these opportunities. Even though there is no difference in results between morning and evening workouts, morning workouts have additional benefits. Here are the benefits of incorporating exercise into your morning routine:

• You’re more likely to make healthy food choices throughout the day if you exercise in the AM.
• Exercising in the AM puts you in a great mood to start the day.
• Better for scheduling conflicts; many people have fewer commitments in the morning.

   

• Helps you manage stress more effectively throughout the day.
• May improve sleep quality and blood pressure overnight.

Here are defining Benefits to Working Out in the Morning

10-Minute Morning Workout

This 10-minute morning workout is ideal if you’re pressed for time and need an energizing boost. Each exercise should be performed for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of recovery. Then, continue the circuit.

Bodyweight Squats

When done properly, bodyweight squats build leg strength and power, as well as strengthen the joints and tendons surrounding the knee.

1. Stand upright with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Place your hands across your chest touching your shoulders (or raise your arms straight above your head). Keep your chest up and out throughout the entire movement.
2. Slowly squat back as if you’re looking for a bench behind you.
3. Keep your heels on the floor.
4. Keep your torso and chest up the entire time.
5. Maintain a slow, controlled descent with the knees falling just behind the balls of your feet. Proper depth is achieved when your quads are parallel to the floor.
6. At the bottom of the squat, push upward into a standing position with the heels of your feet. Avoid overextending your hips forward at the top.
7. Repeat for 30 seconds, followed by a 30-second rest.

Mountain Climbers

This full-body exercise raises your heart-rate and targets the core.

1. Get down on all-fours on a non-slip surface. Place your hands firmly on the ground shoulder-width apart.
2. Walk your legs back until fully extended (in a plank position) and remain on your toes.
3. Keep your head in neutral alignment and engage your core throughout the movement.
4. Bring one knee forward toward your chest as far as you can.
5. Move that knee back out to starting position, switching legs and bringing the other leg into your chest.
6. Keep your hips down and continue to switch bringing your knees to your chest back and forth between each leg.
7. Remember to breathe throughout the movement.
8. Continue this exercise for 30 seconds, followed by a 30-second rest.

Push-Ups

Push-ups improve core and upper body strength.

1. Start on all-fours on a non-slip surface.
2. Place your hands on the ground just outside of shoulder-width apart. Walk your feet back until fully extended. Stay on your toes. Feet should be about hip-width apart and parallel to each other.
3. Imagine you’re pulling your belly button to your spine.
4. Keep your head neutral, your eyes should be in line with your shoulders.
5. Engage the core and squeeze the glutes.
6. Bend the elbows to lower the chest to the floor.
7. Imagine you’re pushing the ground away from you; continue to push up, ending at the available range of motion.
8. You can make this movement easier by doing it against the wall or an elevated surface, or on your knees.
9. Repeat the movement for 30 seconds, followed by a 30-second rest.

Wall Sits

Wall-sits may not be complicated, but they are a quad burner to the max. Wall-sits develop strength and endurance in your hips and thighs.

1. Start with your back against a flat wall and your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Walk your feet out about 2 feet from the wall, keeping your back and shoulders against the wall.
3. Slowly slide your back down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
4. Adjust your feet so that your knees are over your ankles.
5. Keep your back flat against the wall.
6. Hold the wall-sit for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds rest.
7. Slide slowly back up the wall to a standing position.

Planks

Planks build strength, stability, and balance in the pelvic muscles, abdominals, back, and shoulders.

1. You can perform planks on your hands or elbows.
2. Start on all-fours on a non-slip surface.
3. Your hands should be under your shoulders and knees directly under your hips.
4. Keep your head in a neutral position throughout the movement to maintain alignment.
5. Walk your feet straight back until you’re in a push-up position. If you plan to do planks on your elbows, you can move to your elbows at this time.
6. Keep your body straight, imagine you’re pulling your belly button to your spine.
7. Hold this position for 30 seconds, followed by a 30-second rest.

Cool Down Stretches

A cool-down is intended to promote recovery and return the pulse rate to resting levels. By conducting a few low-intensity movements after exercise, the body is able to progressively lower blood pressure and heart rate while preventing blood from pooling in the extremities. Walking slowly on a treadmill or at home is a wonderful method to initiate a cooldown.

After your pulse rate has returned to normal, stretch for a few minutes to prevent exercise-related tightness and discomfort. Remember to enter the stretch cautiously to avoid injury. Here are some exercises to try:

• Sit and reach. Place your ankles together and your legs outstretched in front of you while seated on the floor. Aim to reach forward and brush your toes. Hold the stretch for approximately 5 to 10 seconds while taking long breaths.
• Forward bend. With your ankles together and in a standing position. Attempt to reach your toenails. Keep a modest bend in your legs. Hold the stretch for approximately 5 to 10 seconds while taking long breaths.
• Child’s pose. Start on your knees while seated on the floor. Reach forward and support your body on your legs, with your ankles and knees underneath and behind you. Relax as you extend. Maintain the stretch for as long as you deem necessary, taking deep breaths throughout.

A Word From Verywell

The morning workout is not for everyone. However, if you’re looking for a method to squeeze in exercise with minimal disruption to your day, an early morning sweat session may be the perfect solution. Even 10 minutes of exercise is sufficient to improve your health.

If you are new to exercise or unsure of where to begin, speaking with a healthcare professional, personal trainer, or qualified coach can help you construct a plan and determine what will be most beneficial for your lifestyle.

Also read: How to improve your balance: 6 exercises to try