Tips for getting to gym/exercise first thing

[BarrelOfOtters]

I’m normally awake at 6 anyway…so tips for getting me to gym at 6.30. I get the stuff out the night before, it’s a booked class so I have to be there, . ….

I like the feelin*nof it being over and done with so like to go early.

I always work out or run first thing on weekdays, it’s my only time, if I leave it til later I am likely not to do it. It’s not my preferred time especially to run, I run better if I wake up a bit first but 🤷‍♀️
on weekends I leave it later.

just do what you’re doing- lay your stuff out, set your alarm, go to the gym.

You must not think, get and go - like a machine.

Any double mindedness when you just wake up often results in staying in bed. It’s so easy to do so you must be on guard!

As well as making it as easy as possible to go, which are doing by getting your things out, focus on how you will feel once you're back, and possibly treat yourself to whatever makes you feel happy afterwards, might just be a coffee or might just be a slightly nicer breakfast than usual. Have something prepared that you're going to listen to if that's relevant that you'll enjoy, I often put podcasts on just as I wake up and that gets me out of bed. Keep a record of your sessions in an app or calendar, and try not to "break the chain" in terms of number of times a week that you go.

You must not think, get and go - like a machine

Agree with this so I tend to get up and come down stairs and have a glass of water, I’ll then potter around for a few minutes (might unload the dishwasher etc) gently waking myself up, then I’ll get ready for my exercise session.

Put your alarm downstairs so you have to get up and out of bed

I was up 5:30am mon-fri for several years for the gym. Once you've been doing it a while it becomes automatic. I had everything ready and lined up to go. After a few months it was second nature and I actually struggled more NOT to go (if, say, I was unwell or had an appointment).

I'd have 2 coffees whilst getting dressed, my kit bag would be on the side ready and I'd be gone!

You just have to do it, till it becomes routine. You tend to see the same people in morning class so once you have friends it’s easier to look forward to.
Make a rule that you never skip two classes. That way, if you do skip one you’re back on it the next day and skipping doesn’t become the routine.

Think of it as a non-negotiable, just like work. Just get up and go there without thinking too much about it.

I think because I've been switching classes and times a lot due to life really so I've not been regular in a particular slot I haven't really made many connections. And the morning classes I went to last week, well all the people in them are quite serious and focussed. I was a bit intimidated.

But as the weather gets better I'd rather be outside on a dog walk than in the gym after work so if I'm going to do it it has to be first thing really.

I need to get over myself and not be intimidated!

I'd have 2 coffees whilst getting dressed, my kit bag would be on the side ready and I'd be gone!

I took a flask of tea to bodypump at 6:30 am this morning! I didn't have time to make and drink a drink before I went, so I thought this was the next best thing!

As a PP said it's my routine now, so much so that if I don't go to the gym on my usual early mornings, I feel strange,
I make sure I'm in bed the night before earlier than I would be if I wasn't going to the gym. I don't necessarily go to sleep earlier but for some reason I feel better about getting up the next day if I believe I'm going to bed earlier.
In Autumn/Winter, I put my gym kit (including underwear) on the radiator so it's warm putting it on.
Gym bag is always next to my bed ready to go