A few months ago I wrote a post about how to find time to work out. One of the first things I mentioned was getting up early and I can’t stress enough how much it wakes me up and makes me feel good for the rest of the day!

A lot of people turn their nose up at the thought of going to the gym before work so I decided to write a post to show morning workouts don’t have to be as daunting as they seem.

Here are my 5 favourite ways to workout before work:

Got a dog!? Then take them out for a nice long walk

You’d be amazed how far you can walk in just half an hour. It takes the average person half an hour to walk 2 miles which is around 4,000 steps, nearly half of your daily 10,000 step Fitbit goal! Increase that walk to an hour and both you and your dog will be grateful.

Find the hidden calorie burners

You’ll find a lot of helpful machines in the gym, some of which burn calories quicker than others. These machines are your friends in the morning. I’ve always found the step and rowing machine to be two of them as in virtually no time at all you’ll find that you’ve burned a heck of a lot of calories without even thinking too much about it.

Lower the weight!

Generally in the morning my training style is one that promotes increasing muscle mass. I use the theory of time under tension (the amount of time your muscles are working during a specific set). This means that instead of completing a 6-8 rep set, I look to complete at least 9-12 reps each set on a lower weight. Mentally you will think you’re doing less, however studies have shown it is just as beneficial as tackling the heavy weights, which at 6am isn’t always a great idea.

Yogi Time

I’m sure Shavasana is your favourite morning yoga pose, however it doesn’t have to be. Starting yoga in the morning is a great way to stretch out and wake up fully. Not only can it be easy on your body but yoga is great for building strength and burning fat.

Fasted Cardio

If you just can’t wait for your morning run and your shoes are waiting at the end of your bed then fasted cardio may be for you. Fasted cardio can be dangerous, especially if you go into your workout with all guns blazing but if you’re familiar with the concept then it can be a quick way to burn a few extra pounds. I tend to go for a short normal to slow paced run before breakfast on the weekend but I always make sure I listen to my body and never push myself over the limit with the amount of energy I may have.

Feeling inspired to start working out in the morning? Here are some more interesting facts about working out before work courtesy of my favourite workwear brand TM Lewin.

What are your favourite ways to workout before work?