Squeezing in a workout before the rest of the world is even awake takes an extreme amount of willpower and dedication, and maybe a bit of insanity. But if you work at it, anyone can become an early riser, says Men’s Health sleep advisor W. Christopher Winter, M.D.
So learn from the masters. These six guys get up every morning at 4 a.m. to break a sweat. Here’s how they do it.
Make It As Easy As Possible
Name: Richard Rees
Location: Fort Langley, British Columbia
Occupation: Executive director of Rees Family Services, a company that provides assistance for foster children and personal trainer at Rees Personal Training
Rees’ alarm clock goes off at 3:50 a.m., and he’s out the door on a run just minutes later.
His quick turnaround is due to the fact that his clothes, coffee, and breakfast are all ready when he wakes up. Even his socks and the coffee scooper are laid out waiting for him. He doesn’t need to think about anything.
The longer your to-do list in the morning, the easier it is to stay in bed, Rees says. So prepping every last detail the night before eliminates excuses.
Remember How Crappy You Feel When You Miss a Workout
Name: Tom Carpenter
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Occupation: Executive at Waste Management and Ironman
There are a million excuses to not get out of bed—you’re tired, it looks like rain, you’re sore. But Carpenter says to ask yourself one question: Have you ever regretted a workout?
The answer is probably no. You’ll definitely be sorry you skipped a workout, though. “If I miss a workout, I’m in a bad mood,” says Carpenter. Thinking about that may just be enough to outweigh the pros of sleeping for an extra hour. And you don’t even need to go anywhere.
Think about Tomorrow
Name: Joseph Eazor
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Occupation: CEO of EarthLink, an Internet service provider and Ironman
When Eazor wakes up early to train for 140.7-mile Ironman races, he thinks about the long-term benefits. Sure, devoting early mornings to training will make him faster and stronger. But they’ll also make race day more bearable—maybe even enjoyable, he says. It’s the difference between crossing the finish line with a smile or a grimace on his face.
So remind yourself of the end result—the whole reason you’re doing this. Whether it’s keeping up with your kids in the backyard, going shirtless at the beach, or running your first 5K without getting winded, imagine exactly how you’ll feel in the moment that you conquer your goal.
Have a Bedtime Routine
Name: Craig Ballantyne
Location: Denver, Colorado; and Toronto, Ontario
Occupation: Certified Turbulence Trainer and author of Turbulence Training
Getting up early starts the night before. Ballantyne recommends setting an alarm to go off an hour before the time you want to hit the hay. Use those 60 minutes to wind down. Stop looking at electronics, make tomorrow’s lunch, or read a book. The goal: Get your mind to shut up so you can go down for a full night’s sleep. If you’re still buzzing with ideas or to-do lists, dump it all onto a pad of paper, Ballantyne says. Writing out what’s on your mind will help clear your head.
