Waking up early is never easy. Let’s just put that out there. It doesn’t magically get easier with time, and you don’t suddenly wake up one day excited to leave the comfort of your warm bed when it’s still dark outside. The truth is, it’s always going to be a battle—but it’s a battle worth fighting. Every. Single. Day.
When that alarm goes off, your mind will try to negotiate. “Ten more minutes won’t hurt.” “I didn’t sleep enough last night; I deserve this.” But here’s the thing: those 10 extra minutes? They won’t change your life. What will change your life is deciding to get up and face the day with purpose, with drive, with intention.
Morning workouts are transformative—not just for your body but for your entire mindset. There’s something about attacking the hardest thing you’ll do all day before the sun even comes up. You start your day ahead of the game. You’re not waiting to get stronger, to push harder, to improve—you’ve already started.
The Benefits of Early Mornings
When you work out in the morning, your day is fundamentally different. You carry a sense of accomplishment with you. You know you’ve already handled something difficult, which makes the rest of the day feel manageable. Morning workouts don’t just build strength—they build momentum.
You’ll also notice something interesting: even if you got a little less sleep, you’ll feel more energized. Why? Because you’ve kickstarted your body and mind in a way that fuels you for the rest of the day. Your focus sharpens. Your confidence grows. You feel like someone who gets things done—because you are someone who gets things done.
Compare that to evening workouts, which are great in their own way. Training at the end of the day can help you unwind, but let’s be honest: it’s easier to skip. Long day? Something came up? You’re tired? Evening workouts often fall victim to the excuses of a busy life. Morning workouts, though, they’re locked in. Nothing has had the chance to derail your day yet.
That’s the power of getting up early: you control the day before it controls you.
How to Win the Morning Battle
Here’s the truth: mornings don’t have to be pretty. You don’t have to spring out of bed with a smile, singing about how great it feels to be awake. But you do need a system—one that eliminates excuses and sets you up for success.
Here’s how to make getting up early a habit:
1. Prepare the Night Before
Lay out everything you’ll need in the morning: workout clothes, shoes, water bottle, gym bag. If you’re training at home, set up your equipment so there’s no thinking involved when you get up. Make it as easy as possible to go from bed to action.
2. Set the Coffee Maker
A little caffeine can make all the difference. Set your coffee maker to start brewing before you even get out of bed. The smell alone might be enough to pull you out from under the covers.
3. Create Accountability
Tell someone you’re going to meet them at the gym, the track, or wherever you train. Having a partner waiting for you is a powerful motivator—because no one wants to be the person who flakes. No one wants to let someone else down.
4. Use Alarms as Tools, Not Suggestions
Put your alarm on the other side of the room. Make yourself get up to turn it off. And don’t let your mind talk you into snoozing. The decision to stay up or get up happens in seconds. Win that moment, and you win the morning.
5. Remember Your Why
Getting up early is about more than just working out. It’s about being the kind of person who prioritizes health, discipline, and self-improvement. Whether it’s being a better parent, a better partner, or just a better version of yourself, keep your reason front and center.
The Power of Doing the Hard Thing
Getting up early is hard, but it’s supposed to be hard. That’s the point. If it were easy, everyone would do it. But when you choose to do hard things—like getting out of bed before the sun, lacing up your shoes, and putting in the work—you build more than muscle. You build mental toughness.
And mental toughness? That carries over into everything. It makes you better in the gym, better at work, better with your family.
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a morning person to wake up early. You just have to be the kind of person who gets up. Period. Every time you silence that voice that says “stay in bed” and instead choose action, you’re proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think.
So tomorrow, when your alarm goes off, don’t hit snooze. Get up. Face the day. Win the morning. Your future self will thank you.
Ready to take your mornings to the next level?
At Grit Athletics, we’re here to help you build the discipline, strength, and community to crush your goals. Click here to schedule your free intro session. Let’s get stronger—together.
