Your 15-minute morning workout FITNESS

Are you looking for a way to jumpstart your day, get energised and refreshed, and become a healthier version of you? A morning workout might be the answer. Try this quick session you can do at home in just 15 minutes.

Working out in the morning may not sound too appealing (hello snooze button) but early exercise works wonders for your health. A morning workout can increase your energy during the day, make you more focused and attentive and improve your chances of quality sleep. You also have fewer distractions before leaving for work and are more likely to not skip your workout (compared to after a long day).

You may relate morning workouts to military-style bootcamps which leave you longing for your duvet. In reality, there’s lots of gentler, but effective routines that can up your fitness and leave you with a spring in your step. In fact, you don’t even need to leave the house.

Here is a 15-minute morning HIIT workout which requires only a mat, a bottle of water and you! Perform each exercise for 60 seconds and repeat the workout three times. This workout will get your body moving and is great for weight loss.

High Knees

Engage your abs by bringing one knee up to your chest, then switching with your other knee, as far up as you can bring it. You can do this by marching or with a slight jog.

Squats

A lower-body movement for your legs and glutes. Position your feet a little wider than hip width apart with your toes pointing out. Then lower yourself with your knees bent and hips back. Try to go as low as you can, like you’re about to sit down on a chair. Drive back up by pressing through your heels and stand upright.

Push ups

Now time for an upper-body movement. Get onto all fours and place your hands a bit wider than your shoulders. Extend your feet back and balance on your hands and toes. Keep your elbows slightly bent, don’t lock them. Lower yourself until your chest reaches the floor then push back up through your hands to the start position. If you don’t have the strength for full push ups, you can do box push ups, where you keep your knees on the floor.

Jumping Jacks

Next, a cardio move you’ll recall from school. Stand with your feet together, arms by your sides. Jump up and at the same time spread your legs shoulder-width apart and raise your hands above your head till they nearly clap. Jump again and return hands and legs to the starting position.

Sit Ups

The final move is one for your core. Lie down with your knees up but feet still on the floor. With your hands by your ears, raise yourself by bracing your abs until your stomach nearly touches your knees. Lower yourself back to the floor then repeat. Make sure not to lift from your neck to avoid injury.

That’s it – workout complete! You’ve started your morning with a full body workout and are free to enjoy the rest of your day.

Getting out of bed wasn’t so bad, was it?

More Information

This morning workout was brought to you by PT and fitness professional, Nathan Honess. Nathan has over 15 years’ experience in helping people improve their health and wellbeing. His varied career has seen him work as a fitness instructor, both in gyms and on cruise ships, as well as building a large portfolio of clients in his work as a personal trainer. Nathan has also established himself as a public speaker and lifestyle coach and has delivered mindfulness classes and talks on healthy habits in the workplace. Nathan is also an ambassador for Bio-Synergy. www.bio-synergy.uk

by Nathan Honess @thebusylifestylecoach