The Secret to Early Morning Workouts... And Actually Enjoying Them

ADPR. As a busy mum of two, the idea of dragging myself out of bed for early morning workouts used to feel laughable! Between keeping the kids alive, being self employed, and trying to keep the house running smoothly (emphasis on trying), finding the time to workout seemed impossible. I’d promise myself I’d get to the gym after the kids were in bed, but more often than not, life got in the way. And truth be told, after a day of parenting my two, it's the last thing I wanted to do!

Over time, I started to realise that the only way to carve out time for myself was to do it before the day truly began! That meant embracing those 6am workout sessions... Even when my pillow was whispering sweet nothings in my ear (which is most mornings btw). But here’s the thing, once I got into the habit, I actually began to enjoy them. Early morning workouts can actually be really great. They can genuinely set a positive tone for the rest of your day.

So, why are mornings so hard? Are 6am workouts really worth it? And how can you motivate yourself when your bed feels like heaven? Here’s what I’ve learnt in the last three months of being an early morning gym-goer.

_{[Photos by Jonathan Borba]}

Why Early Morning Workouts Feel Impossible

There’s a reason early morning workouts feel like climbing a mountain before breakfast. Your body clock naturally prefers rest in the early hours. Our circadian rhythms mean energy is typically lower when we first wake up. Add to that the simple comfort of a warm bed on a chilly morning and it’s no wonder we struggle!

For me, mornings used to mean frantically throwing on whichever clothes I could find first, nagging the kids to brush their teeth, and calling it a win if I managed to drink a hot cup of coffee. I was swamped in stress. The idea of somehow fitting in exercise beforehand seemed wild.

What I’ve come to understand however, is that it wasn’t a lack of time I was struggling with. It was a lack of planning.

Are 6am Workouts Effective?

The short answer: yes. Research shows that exercising first thing can improve focus, consistency, and even the quality of your sleep at night. Your metabolism gets a boost, your mood lifts, and there’s a real sense of accomplishment before the day has even started.

With that being said, I have to admit my first few attempts at 6am workouts weren’t all that glorious. I had many moments wondering why on Earth I was doing it. I felt resentful that this was the way it had to be. But after a couple of weeks, I started noticing the positives more and more. Early morning workouts start my day in a rewarding, revitalising and motivational way. And especially over the last few weeks, juggling the kids' summer holidays along with everything else life brings, it's been really beneficial! I'd even go as far as to say it's helped me enjoy the kids' summer holidays that bit more.

The Secret to Actually Enjoying Early Morning Workouts

The secret, I’ve found, isn’t about having superhuman willpower. That's impossible, right? Instead, enjoyment comes when you stop battling and beating yourself up!

Here's how you too, can help transform early morning workouts from a chore into a wondrous little habit.

10 Motivational Tips for Early Morning Workouts

1. Prioritise Sleep

It sounds obvious, but your 6am workout actually starts the night before. If you’re bingeing TV until midnight, you’re setting yourself up to fail. I’ve learnt to give myself a wind-down time before bed (rather like the kids). I'm away from my phone and my head's stuck in a book. It's brilliant! The difference it makes not only for my morning workouts, but my mental health is second to none.

2. Prepare the Night Before

There’s nothing worse than stumbling around in the dark, trying to find your workout gear while everyone else is asleep. It sounds really simple, but lay everything out the night before. I collect my ladies black trainers, gym clothes, water bottle, even my headphones. It takes away excuses and makes the morning feel so much easier. If I've booked a padel session, I’ll also make sure my padel shoes are ready to go. It takes away excuses and makes the morning feel so much easier.

3. Set Micro Goals

When I first started, I told myself I only had to show up. This was especially for those tough early mornings when just getting out of bed felt like a win. I had no goals as such, other than just 'moving my body'. Even if I only ran on the treadmill for 20 minutes, it counted. Those small wins built consistency, and before long, I was pushing myself harder without dreading it. And without really realising it too!

4. Switch the Light On Straight Away

This one’s simple but powerful! As soon as my alarm goes off, I flick the light on. It's quite harsh, especially to begin with, but it jolts your brain out of sleep mode and reduces the temptation to crawl back under the duvet. Sometimes you've got to be cruel to be kind, right?

5. Fuel Your Body

Some people can train on an empty stomach. I’m definitely not one of them. And I'm actually not sure if it's 100% advisable. A banana or a piece of toast, and a quick cup of tea gives me enough energy to get going without feeling sluggish. Finding the right balance makes mornings run so much smoother.

6. Track Your Progress

Whether it’s an app, a smartwatch, or simply a notebook and pen, recording your workouts is incredibly motivating. I love looking back and seeing how far I’ve come. It makes those early morning workouts feel so much more worthwhile, because you can actually see the difference those extra hours bring. And if I’m feeling particularly perky, it spurs me on to smash those PBs.

7. Buddy Up

Accountability is everything! Having a gym buddy is great, but I don't think your gym buddy necessarily has to go with you. Having someone to bounce off, who's able to motivate you is so much more important! My husband and I are both gym goers, but with the kids it's very rare that we're able to go together. I'm an early morning gym-goer and he takes the evenings. We're still able to motivate each other, with daily check-ins and conversations. The progress we've both made over the last three months is great, even though we've actually only been to the gym together twice.

8. Find a Workout You Enjoy

This was a game-changer. For years, I thought I had to run, I thought it was the only thing I could do. Unfortunately I've been suffering on and off this year with knee pain, so I was a little wary of running being too high impact on my joints. But now, I mix strength training, yoga, and the occasional hiit class. Which are all things I actually really like. If you enjoy it, you’re far more likely to stick with it. And if you've not tried something before, what have you got to lose? You might just find your new kryptonite!

9. Reward Yourself

Just recently, I've started making a post-workout smoothie for my little morning treat. Sometimes I’ll listen to my favourite album on the drive home (You Me At Six, Take Off Your Colours). Sometimes I'll even treat myself to a Greggs breakfast before setting back home. Knowing there’s something positive waiting for you after your gym session makes it so much easier to push through.

10. Be Kind to Yourself

Lastly, don’t let one missed workout spiral into giving up altogether. Life happens, especially with kids. Sometimes you quite literally wake up on the wrong side of the bed. One slip doesn’t erase your progress. A simple brisk dog walk in your comfy tracksuits and trainers can take the edge off of a missed session. Give yourself grace. Reset, and start again tomorrow!

Conclusion

Early morning workouts aren’t easy at first. But they are absolutely worth it. For me, they’ve become a way of carving out precious 'me time' before the chaos of the day begins. With the right preparation, mindset, and a little resilience, those dreaded mornings can actually become something you look forward to.

If you’ve ever struggled to stick with early morning workouts, start small, find what works for you, and give yourself grace. Your future self will thank you! I won't go as far as to say you'll love that alarm going off, but you'll definitely reap the benefits.