News & Advice

What are the benefits of morning exercise? Exercise in general is one of the most powerful tools we have in order to improve our physical and mental health. You could certainly argue it is the most under prescribed drug for mental health issues. But did you know that exercising in the morning can be especially beneficial? In this blog post, we will explore the basic benefits of exercise in general, but why exercising in the morning can be particularly advantageous for us.

First, let’s examine the benefits of exercise in general:

1. Improves cardiovascular health: Regular exercise can improve our heart health, reducing our risk of heart disease and stroke.
2. Reduces the risk of chronic diseases: Exercise can also reduce our risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer.
3. Improves mood: Exercise has been shown to boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
4. Boosts energy levels: Regular exercise can increase energy levels and reduce feelings of fatigue.
5. Enhances cognitive function: Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making.

Now, let’s dive into the benefits of exercising in the morning:

1. Increases adherence: Exercising in the morning can help us to establish a consistent routine, making it more likely that we will stick with our exercise program over the long term.
2. Boosts metabolism: Exercise can boost our metabolism, which can help us to burn more calories throughout the day.
3. Improves mental clarity: Exercising in the morning can help us to feel more awake and alert, enhancing mental clarity and focus.
4. Reduces stress: Starting our day with exercise can help reduce stress levels and set a positive tone for the day ahead.
5. Better sleep: Exercising in the morning can help regulate our circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep at night and improve sleep quality.

Exercise is a powerful tool for improving physical and mental health, with emphasis on morning workouts. By establishing a consistent routine, boosting metabolism, improving mental clarity, reducing stress, and enhancing sleep, morning exercise can help us start our day off on the right foot and set us up for a healthier and more productive day.

Not sure where to start? Let us help.

Starting a new exercise routine can be exciting and daunting at the same time. It is common for us to be enthusiastic about our fitness goals, but often overlook the importance of proper technique and injury prevention. As a result of this mistake, we can often find ourselves with injuries that can hamper our progress and motivation, sometimes setting us further back than before we started. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise safety and injury prevention when beginning a new exercise routine.

In this blog, we will discuss some tips on how to avoid injury when new to exercise.

1. Start Slow: It is important to ease into a new exercise routine, especially if we are new to exercise. Start with light and low-intensity exercises, gradually increasing the intensity and duration over time. This allows our body to adapt to the new physical demands, reducing the risk of injury.
2. Warm-Up: Warming up before any exercise is essential to prepare our body for the physical activity ahead. A warm-up should involve light cardio exercises such as jogging or cycling, followed by stretching exercises that focus on the muscles we will be using during the workout. A proper warm-up increases blood flow, loosens up the muscles, and reduces the risk of injury.
3. Use Proper Technique: Proper technique is critical in preventing injuries when exercising. If we are unsure about the proper form, seek guidance from your physiotherapist. Using improper technique can put unnecessary stress on our joints, muscles, and ligaments, leading to injuries.
4. Wear Proper Gear: Don’t be put off by the phrase ‘all the gear, no idea’. Wearing appropriate clothing and shoes is essential when exercising. Wear comfortable, breathable clothes that allow for a full range of motion. Proper footwear provides support and cushioning to our feet, reducing the impact of the exercise on your joints.
5. Listen to our Body: Our body will tell us when we are pushing too hard. Trust this process! If we experience any pain, discomfort, or fatigue, we stop the exercise immediately. Pushing through pain or fatigue can result in severe injuries and setbacks. Reach out to your therapist for advice.
6. Rest and Recovery: Rest and recovery are essential parts of any exercise routine. Give our body enough time to rest and recover between workouts. Over-exercising can lead to fatigue, injuries, and burnout.
7. Gradually Increase Intensity: As our body adapts to the exercise routine, gradually increase the intensity and duration. This will challenge our body and help us to achieve our fitness goals without risking injury.

To conclude, injury prevention is a crucial aspect of any exercise routine, especially when we are new to exercise. Hopefully, by following these tips, we are able to reduce the risk of injury and make our exercise journey a safe and enjoyable one. Remember, it’s not just about reaching our fitness goals, but doing it in a healthy and sustainable way.

If you have any questions or would like advice from us, you can use our FREE Ask A Physio service online and talk to our experienced Physiotherapists.