8 Easy Tips to Make Morning Workouts a Habit (Without Feeling Miserable)
Article posted in: Fitness
You know the drill: You set your alarm for 6 a.m. so you can get in a quick morning workout before your day starts. But once that alarm sounds bright and early, the snooze button is begging you to hit it more than a few times. We understand — getting out of your cozy bed and choosing sweating over sleep is probably one of the hardest choices you’ll make all day.
If you’re often hitting snooze, skipping workouts or pushing exercise to the evening (only to feel too tired to do it), it’s time to rethink your routine. Morning workouts offer incredible benefits—they boost energy, improve mood and help you make healthier choices all day long. Plus, starting your day with exercise sets you up for more productivity and focus.
Think you’re not a morning person? Think again. With the right strategies, you can create a consistent morning workout routine that actually sticks. Ready to make it happen? Check out these simple tips to transform your mornings and achieve your fitness goals!
1. Go to Bed Earlier for Better Sleep and More Energy
If you normally go to bed at midnight every night, it’s going to be much harder to wake up bright and early for morning workouts without making some adjustments. Your body thrives on routine, so start by gradually moving up your bedtime instead of making a sudden, drastic change. It’s unrealistic to expect to fall asleep at 10 p.m. when your body is used to winding down at midnight. A gradual shift works better.
Make it a goal to get into bed at least 30 minutes earlier each night for a week. For instance, if you currently sleep at midnight, aim to be in bed by 11:30 p.m. the first night, then 11 p.m. the following night, and so on until you hit your desired bedtime.
Be consistent—once you’ve reached your target time, stick to it every night. Over time, your body will adapt to the new routine, making it easier to fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow. Pair this with a relaxing pre-bed routine, like reading or meditating, to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.
2. Make Morning Workouts a Non-Negotiable Habit
Find a way to get up early a few days in a row and stick to it. It will be difficult at first, especially if you’re not used to waking up early, but it’s worth the effort.
Start by setting a consistent bedtime, and avoid distractions like your phone or TV before sleeping. Once you establish a morning routine and create a schedule around it, you’ll find it gets easier over time to get up for your morning workouts. Soon, waking up early will feel natural, giving you more time to focus on your goals and start your day with purpose.
3. Find an Accountability Partner to Stay Committed
If it’s just you getting up in the morning to exercise, it can be tempting to hit snooze and skip your workout altogether. Without accountability, those early alarms can feel optional, especially on days when you’re feeling tired.
But if a workout buddy is waiting for you, you have a compelling reason to hop out of bed and head to the gym—after all, you wouldn’t want to let them down. Scheduling weekly workouts with a friend not only keeps you committed but also makes exercise more enjoyable and social. Having someone to share the experience with can turn a solo chore into a routine you actually look forward to, making it much harder to back out at the last minute.
4. Prep Everything the Night Before for a Smooth Start
Get your gym bag ready the night before to give yourself one less thing to worry about in the morning. Take a few minutes to pack everything you’ll need for a workout, from your sneakers and water bottle to your towel, deodorant, music and headphones. Double-check that you’ve got any extras, like a post-workout snack or a change of clothes if you’re heading straight to work or running errands afterward.
By having everything prepped and ready to go, all you need to do in the morning is wake up, grab your bag, and head out the door. You might even lay out your workout outfit the night before to make getting ready even faster and stress-free. Small steps like this can simplify your routine and help you stay consistent with your fitness goals.
5. Place Your Alarm Across the Room to Avoid Snoozing
Are you a chronic snoozer? If hitting the snooze button every five minutes has become your morning routine simply because your phone is conveniently within arm’s reach on the nightstand, it’s time to make a change.
Try this simple trick: before going to bed, set your alarm on your phone as usual. Instead of keeping it by your bedside, place it on a dresser or table across the room. This small adjustment forces you to physically get out of bed to turn off the alarm.
And once you’re up, why not take the opportunity to kick-start your day? Put on your exercise clothes, grab some water and get moving. Starting your morning with intention can set the tone for a more productive and energized day ahead!
6. Use Small Rewards to Stay Motivated
Plan small rewards to motivate yourself to get up and exercise in the morning. Make a pact with yourself: if you wake up early for your morning workouts five days a week and fit in at least 30 minutes of exercise, treat yourself to a reward. It could be as simple as grabbing a cup of coffee from your favorite café on the way to work, or as exciting as picking out a new blouse to wear for Friday night plans. These little incentives can make early morning workouts feel less like a chore and more like a stepping stone to something enjoyable.
Still struggling to find motivation? Create an energizing playlist filled with all your favorite upbeat songs that inspire you to keep moving. Choose music that lifts your mood and keeps you pumped—it can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your workout. Over time, you might find that the exercise itself becomes its own reward!
7. Start with Short, Low-Pressure Morning Workouts
You don’t have to jump straight into an hour-long treadmill session at the gym to kickstart your fitness journey. Instead, start slow and build a routine that works for you.
Begin with a quick 10-minute workout before you take a shower—just a few reps of pushups, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, and crunches can make a big difference. If those exercises aren’t your style, try something more leisurely, like taking your dog for a morning walk, going for a relaxing bike ride or committing to small changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. These small efforts can add up! Check out these at-home workouts for weight loss.
As your body gets used to the movement, slowly increase the time and intensity of your workouts. Maybe add a few extra sets, extend your walks by five minutes or introduce light weights into your routine. With consistency and patience, you’ll build strength, stamina and confidence—and before you know it, you’ll be a true morning workout warrior!
8. Grab a Quick Breakfast to Fuel Your Morning Workouts
If your new exercise routine is cutting into your breakfast time, don’t skip the most important meal of the day—take it with you! With Jenny Craig, you can enjoy a variety of delicious, perfectly portioned grab-and-go breakfast options that fit seamlessly into your busy lifestyle.
Craving something sweet? Try our muffins, available in chocolate and blueberry flavors, or indulge in the rich, comforting taste of our Cinnamon Coffee Cake.
Prefer something savory? Heat up our satisfying Sunshine Sandwich or an Egg, Cheese and Turkey Sausage Burrito for a satisfying start to your day.
All our breakfasts are designed to fuel your morning and keep you on track with your goals, so you can tackle your workout and your day with ease!
