Going to the Gym Before Work

"The Gym". These two fairly non-threatening words are not particularly worrisome when viewed on their own. Somehow, though, when they are et side by side as "The Gym", it has the vibe of a horror movie. In fact, there are few well-meant sentences that strike fear into the heart like "Shall we go to the gym in the morning before work?" Often one is tempted to answer, "Aww. Couldn't we just be beaten with baseball bats instead?" 

Which is to say, going to a gym in the morning may be a life-changer once you get started, but getting that gym-in-the-morning ball rolling can be an Everest-like challenge. 

Let's just say this as declaratively as possible—working out before going to your job is one of the best decisions you can make for your health. It gives you an energy boost, confidence, and mental clarity that will last you throughout the day. 

BUT— going to the gym early in the morning isn’t for everyone; to put it as mildly as possible. Dragging yourself out of bed to workout before work ... is a drag. If working out before work isn’t for you, BUT you want to stay healthy and motivated, we’ve got some great tips for you. Or some really good ones, anyway.

What do you get when you work out in the morning? Are you kidding? You get increased energy and improved mood. You get improved focus and mental clarity. You get increased motivation and a sense of indomitable well being. Hey, you're going to get a much more productive workday, too. How does that sound? 

Yes, the morning workout has many benefits, but it’s not absolutely necessary to start your day with a workout if you don't have the time or the ... inclination seems like a good word to use here. However, incorporating morning workouts into your routine will help increase focus and productivity throughout the day, and improve overall health and well-being as you become more engaged with fitness activities in the morning, as a way to start your engine. If you can fit it in, a morning workout is an energizing way to begin your day, improving your mood and overall health. 

The Cons of Starting the Day with a Workout

Here's the section that encourages you to stay under the covers. If you're someone who starts the morning with a workout, you may be familiar with the "challenges" of consistently exercising first thing in the morning. While morning workouts can be a great way to work up a good sweat and get your heart pumping, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks before diving in headfirst. 

If your biorhythms aren't right, you could experience an early morning lack of motivation that infects your whole attitude. It can be difficult to get motivated to exercise in the morning (he understated). A morning workout can also lead to less time for rest and recovery, which can make it more difficult to stick with your routine going forward. 

As for risk of injury; morning workouts often involve higher intensity and longer duration routines than daytime workouts, which can increase the risk of injury. Habitual morning workout routines can contain fewer recovery days between intense, overeager morning sessions. This can make it harder to recover from an injury, and make it more difficult for your sore muscles and joints to recover. 

And of course there is the danger of - how shall we say this - feeling tired. Going to the gym first thing could cause you to feel tired for the rest of the day, especially if you had to rush to make the morning routine possible that day. It's a fact that morning workout routines often include fewer total calories burned than those done later in the day, which could lead to feeling fatigued or physically drained. 

In addition, morning workout routines don't allow time for nutritious breakfast after a workout, which could leave you feeling hungry and unable to reach your daily nutrition goals. All these factors suggest that morning workouts may not necessarily be the best way for you to start your day on a positive note. 

On days when it seems the morning gym routine is going to lead to a day of flagging energy, try doing some morning stretches, and a few walk-and-bounce exercises before getting out of bed, just to get the blood moving. We're told this is what that luxurious first stretch of the day is doing—redistributing the blood. You can also use the time to have a healthy breakfast. Again, no fritter. 

Also know that common sense will suggest your taking a shower at the gym before you go to your next stop: your job. Depending on your comfort level, taking a shower in an unfamiliar, echoey tiled room in front of total strangers may oblige you to shower in your work clothes, which means you will be going to work in soaking wet business casual. Just something to think about.

If you're looking to work out in the morning, fitness professionals recommend choosing a time of day when you are most alert and energized. This will help to ensure that you're more likely to stay consistent with your fitness goals. 

Preparing your gym bag and clothing the night before can also make it easier for you to get started in the morning. When choosing a gym, consider factors such as location, hours of operation, and the type of workout you want to do. You could start with light exercises to get yourself motivated for more intense workouts as you go. The key to success in the gym is to pace yourself. 

The Bottom Line on Going to the Gym Before Work 

Going to the gym in the morning isn't for everyone, but it can be a great way to get an early workout in and start the day off right. If you're looking to start a morning gym habit, look at both sides of the issue. 

Pros of morning workouts include feeling less tired after the workout and having more energy for the rest. Morning workouts help you build a better overall fitness level and can help you reach your goals faster. They also provide an extra workout session that can help with weight loss and overall health. 

Having a morning workout routine can also help reduce stress and improve moods. For real. 

However, morning workouts do come with their fair share of limitations. Morning workouts tend to be shorter in duration than evening workouts, making them harder to maintain long-term. Additionally, morning workouts often involve high-intensity activity such as running or intense strength training, which can lead to exhaustion and soreness the next day - or that very work day. 

As with any fitness goal, it's important to determine whether morning workouts are right for you by assessing your schedule, fitness level, and desired outcome. A morning workout routine should consist of familiar routines against which you can easily measure your progress.

What is the best gym before work routine?

Having a morning gym routine can be incredibly beneficial for both your physical and mental health. Starting the day with exercise helps to set a positive tone for the rest of the day and puts you in the right mindset. 

The best gym before work routine should include stretching, light cardio and strength training exercises. Stretching will help activate muscle fibers and get your body ready for exercise. Light cardio is also important to boost energy levels and get your heart-rate going. Lastly, strength training exercises should be incorporated to focus on targeted muscle groups. A good warm up is extremely important. 

What is a pre-workout and what does it do for you?

A "pre-workout" is a supplement designed to give you an extra energy boost and improved focus before hitting the gym. It usually contains ingredients like caffeine, B-vitamins, and amino acids that can help to improve your performance in the gym. Caffeine (heard of it?) is the most commonly used ingredient in pre-workouts as it helps to increase alertness levels and give you an extra boost of energy. A pre workout on empty stomach is not recommended. Have a banana to get your digestive dynamo humming. 

How long should my workouts last?

The length of your workouts should depend on your goals and fitness level. If you are just starting out, aim for at least 20 minutes of workout time. As you progress, you should strive to increase your workout time to between 30 minutes and one hour. It is also essential to warm up and stretch before exercising, and then cool down and stretch after working out in order to assist with optimal recovery.