Mornings can set the tone for the entire day, and a quick morning workout routine can do wonders for both your body and mind.
Not only does morning exercise lift your mood, but it also boosts your energy, sharpens your focus, and helps kickstart your metabolism. The best part? You don’t need a gym or a full hour to break a sweat.
With just 10 to 15 minutes, you can move your body, release endorphins, and feel ready to tackle anything the day throws at you.
Types of Quick Morning Workouts You Can Do at Home
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to movement. Some of us love high-energy cardio, while others prefer a slower, more mindful yoga flow.
But what’s important is you do not have to overcomplicate your morning routine exercises.
Here are a few exercise options you can choose for your workout routine:
1. Bodyweight Circuit
Bodyweight circuit is a classic go-to workout for a reason: it does not require any equipment. It is a perfect choice to build strength, get your heart pumping, and wake up your entire system in just a few minutes.
Here’s a bodyweight circuit routine you could follow:
- Jumping jacks for one minute. This gets your heart rate up and warms your body.
- Squats for one minute. When doing squats, focus on keeping your chest up and your weight in your heels.
- Do mountain climbers for one minute. Drive your knees up to your chest as quickly as you can.
- Hold a strong plank position for one minute. Your back should be straight and your core tight.
You can repeat this circuit routine two to three times with a 30-second break between each set. By the end, you will feel that satisfying burn that tells you your body is waking up.
2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is perfect for mornings. This exercise routine can quickly raise your heart rate and burn calories in a short amount of time. It’s all about short bursts of effort followed by brief rest periods, as a result, it becomes a super-efficient workout routine.
Here’s a routine you can follow for HIIT:
- Do high knees for 30 seconds. You can run in place by bringing your knees up as high as possible.
- Rest for 15 seconds.
- Do burpees for 30 seconds. You drop down, kick your legs out, do a push-up, and jump back up. If burpees are too intense for you, modify this routine by removing the push-up part.
- Rest for 15 seconds.
- Do mountain climbers for 30 seconds. You have to keep your core tight and move those knees quickly.
- Rest for 15 seconds.
- Do plank jacks for 30 seconds. You can start in a plank and jump your feet out wide and back in, similar to jumping jacks.
You can repeat HIIT once or twice, depending on your fitness level and how much time you have.
3. Yoga Flow
If you prefer a slower start to your day or just need a gentle way to wake up, yoga flow is perfect. This morning workout routine will help stretch your tight muscles, increase blood flow, and focus your mind.
You can do these for your yoga flow:
- Start with a child’s pose for one minute. Gently stretch and breathe deeply.
- Do a cat-cow for two minutes by getting on all fours. Alternate between arching your back up like a cat and dropping your belly like a cow. This helps wake up your spine.
- Perform a downward dog for one minute. Lift your hips and back, then hold and feel the stretch in your hamstrings and shoulders.
- Do a low-to-high lunge for two minutes per side. Step one foot forward and rise up into a lunge. Hold each side to stretch out the hips.
- Perform a three-minute sun salutation. Flow through a few rounds of this classic yoga sequence, linking your breathing to your movements.
End your yoga flow with a minute of deep breathing while lying on your back (or in the Savasana position), allowing yourself to feel grounded and calm. These gentle yoga leg stretches will leave your body refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
4. Cardio Boost
Cardio is a great way to get your heart racing and endorphins flowing if you want a quick jolt of energy. This workout is a mixture of fun, high-energy exercises that will get your blood flowing without any equipment.
Here is a sample cardio routine:
- Warm up by marching in place for one minute. You can do this by lifting your knees high and pumping your arms.
- Do butt kicks for one minute. You can do this by kicking your heels up towards your glutes.
- Perform jumping jacks for one minute. This is a classic move to keep things dynamic.
- Run in place for 30 seconds with small, fast steps.
- Do a boxer shuffle for one minute. You can do this by bouncing foot to foot, like a boxer, while moving your fists.
- Perform star jumps for one minute by jumping up and spreading your arms and legs like a star. If this is too challenging, do a regular jump.
You can adjust the intensity based on how awake you are feeling. Even one round of cardio boost will shake off the morning fog.
Sample of a 15-Minute Home Morning Workout Routine
If you want a bit of everything, here is a sample morning workout routine that combines cardio, strength, and stretches that you can start tomorrow (or even today!):
Workout | Duration |
Warm Up
|
2 minutes |
Main Workout Routine
You can repeat this sequence twice to have a total of 12 minutes. |
12 minutes |
Cool Down
|
1 minute |
How to Stay Consistent with Your Morning Workout Routine
We cannot deny that the hardest part of working out in the morning… is that you have to wake up early. But once it becomes a habit, your body will crave the movement. You can also explore more fitness motivation tips to help you stay on track.
Here are a few tips for making morning workouts a habit:
- Do morning workouts at the same time every morning. Pick a time that works for you and make it non-negotiable. Whether it is 5:30 a.m. or 7:00 a.m., doing it consistently will soon make your body expect it. Stay consistent!
- Prep the night before. This might seem unnecessary to some, but laying out your workout clothes before bed reduces decision fatigue.
- Do not pressure yourself into doing hour-long workouts. A quick 10 to 15-minute session is all you need to feel good. Keep your morning workout routine short but sweet.
- Make it a fun workout routine. Only do exercises that you like. If you hate burpees, then don’t do them! Look for exercises that you find fun and create your workout routine! You can also play some upbeat music or follow along with workout videos that get you excited.
- Treat yourself to a nice breakfast or delicious smoothie afterward as a little reward for moving your body. You can explore healthy breakfast recipes, like avocado toast or a berry-packed smoothie, to make your post-workout treat both satisfying and nutritious.
- Track your progress! Keep a simple journal or use a fitness app like Strava to log your workouts. It is super satisfying to see how far you have come!
- Not every morning will be full of energy, and that’s totally okay! If you are feeling tired, you can modify your workout. Remember, not showing up (or resting) still counts! Listen to your body.
Final Thoughts
A quick morning workout routine must not be complicated or exhausting to be effective.
Whether you love the energy of HIIT or the flow of yoga, a quick 10 to 15-minute workout routine can totally transform your day.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your workout mat, put on some good music, and give your body the wake up call!
You will be surprised by how much of a difference it makes, and who knows, mornings might just become your favorite part of the day!
FAQs about Quick Morning Workouts
What is the best morning workout routine for beginners?
For beginners, the best are low-impact workout routines that are easy to follow yet effective.
You can start with bodyweight exercises, like squats, push-ups, and planks, or try a short yoga flow to ease into movement.
A sample beginner workout routine could include:
- Two minutes of marching in place or arm circles.
- 30 seconds of each bodyweight squats, modified push-ups, and planks.
- Gentle stretches for your hamstrings and shoulders.
Also, don’t forget to stay hydrated! Proper hydration during exercise can help maintain your energy levels and prevent fatigue, especially when you are just starting out.
How can I fit a morning workout routine into a busy schedule?
You have to prepare your workout clothes and water bottle the night before. And since you are short on time, focus on efficiency. You can opt for 10 to 15-minute routines of HIIT or bodyweight circuits.
Or, you can combine your workout with morning tasks. Since you do workouts at home, you can do some routines while waiting for your morning coffee to brew.
Is it better to workout on an empty stomach in the morning?
Working out on an empty stomach (fasted state) can benefit some, particularly those doing fat-burning exercises.
However, it is not ideal for everyone. If you feel lightheaded or weak, have a small snack, like a banana or handful of nuts, before exercising.