Benefits of an Early Morning Workout

I’ve been a lifelong runner – well, at least since the Army got me running in Ranger and Airborne schools. “I want to be an Airborne Ranger.” Does anyone else remember that running cadence?

Morning exercise has always felt good to me but I never thought about why from a scientific perspective. Below is an expert of an article by Phil White posted on the TrainingPeaks blog.

Begin Text

“College and pro athletes and members of the military often don’t have a choice when they train. But for everyone else, you can usually fit your workouts around your schedule to some extent. Whether you’re already an early bird exerciser or are considering switching up some of your later sessions, let’s look at why morning training can be beneficial.

Improved Cognitive Function

Research conducted by Dr. John Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, has shown that morning movement increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This potent protein prompts the growth, maturation, and development of new brain cells.

During an episode of the Barbell Shrugged podcast, Ratey described it as “the queen of all brain growth factors” and stated that “BDNF increases dramatically when you exercise. And it does that because when you’re exercising, when you’re moving, you are using more brain cells than in any other activity.” In his book Spark, Ratey revealed that kids who worked out in the morning before class improved their test scores by 17%, increased their attendance, and stabilized their mood. The same benefits could cross over into your own workdays if you get an earlier start to your training.”

This is a pretty compelling reason to stick with that morning workout, whether it’s at the gym, on the bike, running, or simply taking a brisk walk.

Read the complete article here: Benefits of Working Out in the Morning.

Robert Hess comment: I have used the free version of theTrainingPeaks app to measure my cycling performance for over 10 years. If you are a serious cyclist, you might give it a look. Allons-y!