Ten Morning Workout Success Strategies and Tips

Morning workouts have their advantages. Exercising shortly after dawn gets your fitness out of the way; wakes you up better than a cup of coffee; and offers less distractions that might draw you away from your fitness plan. But like any workout regimen, it can be hard to stick to, especially after a late night. Implement various tips, tricks and strategies to help your morning workout work for you and maximize your sunrise fitness potential.

1. Drink water before starting. Your body is likely dehydrated, especially after sleeping for six to eight hours without food or liquid. Exercising before replenishing your water reserves can leave you feeling excessively tired, sore and groggy. Drink a couple glasses of crisp water right after rolling out of bed to help jumpstart your system for your morning exercises.

2. Skip the coffee. Medical researchers debate the health benefits of caffeine. Until the research is settled, skip the cup of Joe, which may act as a potential diuretic. You'll feel perky and alert after a few exercise sets, anyway.

3. Stretch your body. It's a great way to reinvigorate your body after lying in bed for hours, releves tension, lowers the risk of injury and primes you for a good workout.

4. Head outside if the weather allows. There's nothing more invigorating than stepping out into a brisk morning. It can be a great way to mix in the outdoors instead of staying in a dark house. You can even incorporate it into your regular morning chores, such as walking the dog.

5. Pump up the jams while pumping the iron. Your brain might still be a little foggy in the morning. Beat away the urge to go back to bed with some loud music beats from your favorite band or musical group on a CD player, iPod or MP3 device. Remember to choose something with a good tempo. Her voice may be beautiful, but Enya's greatest hits rarely make a good workout playlist.

6. Call up a friend if you need extra motivation. It can be an excellent way to bond closer with a neighbor or friend, especially if you are doing a social morning workout like walking around the neighborhood. Think of it as your accountability partner. You're far more likely to roll out of bed and pull on the running shorts if you know someone is waiting for you.

7. Track your progress. Watching the muscle gains or the weight loss can be exilerating and encourage you forward. Various computer programs, both offline and online, offer workout journals. An old-fashioned pen and paper works, too.

8. Get lots of sleep beforehand. Don't make getting up in the morning harder than it already may be. An added bonus for insomniacs: Early morning workouts may help keep your internal biological clock in rhythm, helping you sleep faster and deeper.

9. Fuel up after your workout with a healthy mixture of complex carbs and protein. This helps restock your body's energy reserves and keeps you full longer than sugary cereals. Whatever you do, don't skip breakfast after working out in the morning.

10. Don't worry too much about the length of the workout. If you have a busy work day ahead of you, waking up earlier to fit in a few more minutes of exercise may not be the best option. Instead, incorporate more fitness into the rest of your day. For example, park further from your office building, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Little steps can help make big gains in your personal health.