Prefer an AM sweat session? Whether you jump out of bed the minute your eyes open or slam the snooze button seven times before you take on your morning sweat session, one thing is for certain: morning exercisers are more likely to stick to their routines and approach their day with a positive and focused mind. Dedicated Velocity riders rise for our classes knowing our high-energy classes will help prepare them for the day ahead. Although 6:30 am may sound crazy, you better believe there’s demand. We asked a frequent Dawn Patrol rider to share her tricks for getting out of bed, staying committed and why she loves working out before the rest of the world is even awake.

Katie

My alarm goes off at: I set alarms for 5:30 am, 5:45 am and every 5 minutes after that (just in case) and I’m out the door by 6:10 am for the 6:30 class.
Pre-class fuel: I normally eat a piece of fruit or half of a protein bar before class. I also always have a glass of water or a hot tea on my commute for a little extra hydration.
The night before: Sleep? I don’t know that word. My goal for this year is to GET. MORE. SLEEP. If possible, I take a power nap during the day.
Post-class fuel: I reward myself with a coffee or a soy latte from my favorite coffee shop (ViCafe – https://vicafe.ch/) and then have a mason jar filled with overnight oats, including chia seeds, coconut milk yogurt, fruit, and a protein (peanut butter or protein powder).
Why I love an early morning ride: I am NOT a morning person; I love riding early because the endorphins power me through my day- it’s like nothing else in the world. No amount of coffee can take the place of a good sweat shortly after rolling out of bed! I am incredibly inspired by the dedication of the morning instructors. They are the definition of NO EXCUSES.

With all the hustle and bustle of work and life, it can be challenging to make the time to exercise. But exercising in the morning is a great way to create a positive routine and provides many added benefits beyond just keeping you fit. Research shows that those who exercise in the morning are more consistent exercisers than those who exercise later in the day. Our body loves routine. If you force yourself to get up when your alarm goes off, your body will thank you and pay you back by feeling rested and ready for the day. Here are just a few more reasons why you may be ready to make the switch if you aren’t an sweating it out in the morning already:

1. You’ll maximize your chances
   If you’re the type of person who plans on working out after work, but then oftentimes something pops up unexpectedly so it just doesn’t happen, then the morning is for you. By getting up early, you are less likely to miss out on any fun activities later in the day or get distracted at home or work. Instead of scrambling to fit it all in and missing another workout, plan to do it first thing so you are sure to get it done.
2. You’ll be more productive
   Exercising increases your productivity and gets your endorphins going. You will be more awake and ready to tackle your day by giving yourself that extra energy boost. Working out can increase your mental clarity for 4 to 10 hours post-exercise.
3. You’ll burn more fat
   The benefits of exercise linger throughout the day. Your metabolism is boosted and you continue to burn calories after the workout is done. Use this benefit during the day when you are eating instead of when you are sleeping. By keeping your metabolism elevated, you will be burning more fat all day long.
4. You’ll sleep better
   Studies have shown that women and men who wake up early for regular exercise sleep better than those who routinely exercise in the evening. Since exercise stimulates your body, when you exercise at night, it becomes more difficult to fully relax and drift into peaceful sleep.

We hope we’ve convinced you to give mornings a try. But if you’re also the kind of person to ignore the alarm and keep sleeping, stick with what works for you.