Morning, before the world fully wakes up, is a precious moment to reconnect with yourself and boost your day. Adopting a morning sports routine is giving yourself a dose of energy and vitality as soon as you wake up. Imagine starting your day with exercises that energize your body and mind, giving you the motivation you need to tackle all the tasks ahead. The benefits are multiple: an improvement in your metabolism, better concentration, and a feeling of well-being thanks to the endorphins released.
Whether you opt for cardio training to increase your endurance or strengthening exercises to sculpt your muscles, every morning becomes an opportunity to take care of yourself. This regular habit transforms not only your physique but also your mind, increasing your productivity and performance. Exercising in the morning also prepares your body for better recovery and increased flexibility. So, why not integrate this routine tomorrow and feel the incredible benefits in your daily life?
1. How to prepare for a morning routine?
Adopting a morning exercise routine takes a little preparation, but the benefits are well worth it. Here are some tips to get you started:
Wake up earlier
To fit a workout into your morning, it's essential to get up a little earlier. Try to go to bed at a reasonable time to ensure good quality sleep and make waking up easier.
Prepare your equipment the day before
Save time and motivation by preparing everything you need the night before. Take out your gym clothes, prepare your mat, shoes and all the necessary accessories. This way, as soon as you get up, you are ready to start without wasting time.
Hydration and nutrition
In the morning, after several hours of sleep, your body needs to be rehydrated. Drink a large glass of water as soon as you wake up. To avoid training on an empty stomach, opt for a light snack rich in carbohydrates and protein, such as a banana with almond butter or yogurt.
Schedule the session
Having a clear plan for your workout prevents hesitation and keeps you focused. Decide in advance what exercises you are going to do and how much time you are going to spend on them.
Establish a routine
The key to success is consistency . Try to work out at the same time every day to turn your workout into a habit. The more consistent your routine is, the easier it will be to stick with it in the long run.
3. Create your own morning sports routine
Now that you’re ready to start your day with energy and purpose, it’s time to create a morning workout routine that works for you. Here’s how to do it:
Assess your goals and fitness level
Before you begin, clearly define your personal goals. Whether you are aiming to lose weight, increase your endurance or simply improve your general well-being, it is important to have specific goals in mind. Next, assess your current fitness level. Are you a beginner, intermediate or advanced in your sport practice? This assessment will help you choose the appropriate exercises and adapt the intensity of your training.
Choosing the right exercises
An effective morning workout routine should include a balanced mix of cardiovascular, strength-training, and flexibility exercises. Cardiovascular exercises like running, jumping rope, or indoor cycling stimulate your cardiorespiratory system and increase your endurance. Strength-training exercises like squats, push-ups, and lunges help tone your muscles and strengthen your core. Finally, flexibility and stretching exercises like yoga or dynamic stretching improve the flexibility of your muscles and prevent injuries.
Structure the routine
Organize your workout into phases to maximize your results. Start with a dynamic warm-up to prepare your body for the effort, followed by the main workout where you will perform your cardiovascular and strengthening exercises. Finish with stretching to promote muscle recovery and improve your flexibility.
Our goal is to give you all the tools you need to create your own routine. However, if you want to find some inspiration, below you will find an effective routine created especially by JOG & JIM:
- Warm-up (5-10 minutes):
- Diaphragmatic breathing (2 minutes):
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your stomach and take deep breaths, inflating your abdomen as you inhale and deflating it as you exhale.
- Gentle neck and shoulder stretches (3 minutes):
- Make slow circles with your head, then with your shoulders to release tension.
- Main workout (20-30 minutes):
- Hundred (100):
- Lie on your back with your legs raised to a 90-degree angle. Raise your head, neck, and shoulders, and raise your arms up and down while breathing deeply. Do 10 sets of 10 push-ups.
- Roll-Up:
- Lie on your back with your arms extended overhead. Inhale, then as you exhale, slowly roll forward until you touch your toes, engaging your abs. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat 5 to 8 times.
- Single Leg Stretch:
- Lie on your back, raise your head, neck, and shoulders, and pull one knee toward your chest while extending the other leg. Alternate legs, keeping your abs engaged. Do 10 reps on each side.
- Spine Stretch Forward:
- Sit with your legs shoulder-width apart. Inhale, then as you exhale, slowly bend forward, hinging your spine and reaching your toes with your hands. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat 5-8 times.
- Swimming:
- Lie on your stomach with your arms and legs extended. Raise your arms and legs slightly off the ground, and alternate kicking movements, as if you were swimming. Continue for 1 minute.
- Leg Circles:
- Lie on your back with one leg extended toward the ceiling and the other flat on the floor. Make circles with the raised leg, first in one direction and then in the other. Make 5 to 8 circles on each side.
- Cool down and stretch (5-10 minutes):
- Child's Pose:
- On your knees, sit on your heels and stretch your arms out in front of you, with your forehead touching the floor. Stay in this position for 2 to 3 minutes to relax your back and shoulders.
- Cat-Cow Stretch:
- On all fours, alternate between arching your back (Cow) and rounding your back (Cat), synchronizing your movements with your breathing. Do 5 to 8 repetitions.
- Spinal Twist:
- Sit with your legs extended, bend one knee and cross it over the other leg. Rotate your torso toward the bent knee, using the opposite arm to intensify the stretch. Hold for 30 seconds on each side.
If you have trouble performing certain exercises, do not hesitate to search for them on the internet. You will find many videos and illustrations to help you understand them better.
Tips for customization
Adapt this routine to your personal preferences and specific goals. Gradually increase the intensity of your exercises over time and remember to listen to yourself to avoid injury.
4. Tips for maintaining a regular routine
This is the crucial phase. Now that you have established your routine , it is essential to follow it regularly. We are aware that this can sometimes be a real challenge. So here are some tips to maintain your motivation and stay committed to your practice:
Set realistic and progressive goals
As with any long-term challenge, setting clear and achievable goals is the foundation. Whether it's a training frequency per week, a training duration, or specific performance goals, realistic goals will allow you to notice your progress and stay motivated.
Take things step by step! If your goal seems too ambitious, it will be difficult to maintain motivation. However, don't aim too low either; it's all about balance!
Find a training partner
Motivation is contagious . A friend or family member can support you through tough times, and sharing your progress with someone you care about will make the task more enjoyable and motivating. As a bonus, you'll create wonderful memories with that person!
Use tracking apps and online programs
It has never been easier to track your athletic progress.
Fitness apps and online programs can help you plan your workouts, track your progress, and stay motivated. Some apps even offer reminders to help you stay on track.
So why not use them?
To name just a few, here is our selection of five applications and websites to track your sports performance:
- Nike Training Club - An app that offers a variety of training programs tailored to different levels and goals, with demonstration videos and personalized tracking.
- MyFitnessPal - Not only a calorie and nutrition tracking app, but also a tool to track your physical activities, log your workouts and set personalized goals.
- Freeletics - A training program based on high-intensity training with exercises tailored to your needs and fitness level.
- Strava - Ideal for running and cycling enthusiasts, Strava allows you to track and analyze your athletic performance, compare your results with those of other users and join community challenges.
- Fitbit - Well known for its fitness trackers, the Fitbit app also offers detailed tracking of exercise, heart rate, sleep and nutrition, also incorporating personalized advice.
Vary the exercises
To avoid getting into a monotonous routine that no longer stimulates you, vary your exercises regularly . Try new movements, new routines or different activities to maintain interest and continue to progress.
These few moments for yourself, where every movement contributes to your overall health, become solid foundations on which you can build your personal and professional successes.
Whether you opt for a calming sunrise yoga, an intense workout, or an invigorating morning run, remember that every little bit counts . It’s an investment in your future well-being , a way to take control of your physical and mental health from the start of the day.