LA-based celebrity fitness trainer, Jason Wimberly, shares his thoughts on the benefits of early morning workouts. Jason has over 10 years of experience in the industry, with a repertoire including Soulcycle, Equinox, and his very own studio, THE WALL. He has also been known to be the master behind keeping many of Hollywood’s elite looking their best – including Kate Hudson, Selma Blair, Jane Lynch, Leela Goldkuhl and Annabeth Gish
Benefits Of Exercising In The Morning
There are almost too many physical benefits to list. Burn more calories, boost your metabolism, and feel better and more focused throughout your day. Not to mention, one of the most important things that influence your workout are your hormone levels. Testosterone levels for men and women are highest in the morning between 7-8am, and testosterone is essential for building lean muscle and burning fat. Not to mention, fitness wrecking hormones from stress like cortisol are likely to raise as your day progresses, so set that alarm and get your coffee ready for the best benefits possible.
Adjusting Your Morning Routine
Beyond the dozen physical benefits, there are a lot of other perks of starting your day early at the gym. There is generally more room and available equipment in the morning, instead of competing with everyone during peak evening hours. While adjusting to an early morning routine may be hard at first, you’re much more likely to maintain your schedule than working out later in the day by avoiding unnecessary distractions and excuses. Starting your day off with a heart pumping workout means you get to end your day doing the things you love a little bit more.
Why Morning Exercise Is Better Than Evening
While any workout is better than none, remember that the human body is not designed for strenuous exercise at all hours. Our bodies start naturally making melatonin, that amazing hormone that helps you sleep, around 9pm. While there are lots of things that now inhibit our sleepy time vibes like computer screens and bright lights, our bodies want to start resting, and in doing so – recovering. I always advise my clients that rather than hitting the gym late, get to bed sooner than normal and set that alarm for your morning workout a little earlier.
Mental Benefits Of A Morning Exercise
It’s ok to admit that you don’t like exercise. Even if you love it, we all have days where it’s the last thing we want to do, especially at 6am. But once you’ve crushed your workout, before many others are even awake, well, that feeling of accomplishment is unlike any other. As a trainer I start my day between 4:30 and 5am every day, and the morning hour where it’s just me, is my favorite of the day. There is something so empowering about being the only one on the road in the morning, or simply not having to wait in a line for your morning coffee. It’s sort of like being a superhero, where you have the whole city to yourself. Just remember, superheros are allowed to take naps too.
