You go to bed with the best of intentions – you’re going to get up early and go to the gym. Gold star for you! But when that shrieking alarm goes off at 5 am, the last thing you want to do is get out of your warm, comfy bed and go do your morning training. So you turn over and go back to sleep. Sound familiar?

If you’re keen to get an early morning gym session off the ground, but can’t follow through when the time comes, try these simple tips to get you up and at ‘em.

Go to sleep with your gym clothes on

Seriously. That way you can sleep in for an extra 15 minutes and won’t have to fumble around looking for your gear. Plus, when the alarm does go off, it’ll be easier to get up knowing all you have to do is put your trainers on and go.

Get more sleep

No, not in the morning – the night before. Getting enough quality sleep can help you to feel more alert when your alarm goes off, and will contribute to your general health overall. Turn in early, switch off any electronic devices and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

Get organised

Part of the reason so many of us hit the snooze button is because there’s just so much to do! Not if you take care of it the night before though. Lay out your gym clothes, pack your bag, prepare any pre-workout meal you may need and use the extra time to sleep in a little.

Don’t drink

At least not the night before a planned training session. A glass or two is fine, but if your evening spirals into a bottle or two, plus an army of shooters, the last thing you’re going to want to do is get up early and train. Play it safe and stick to water, there’s plenty of time to party later.

Find a friend

Can’t bear the thought of getting up and training alone? Rope a friend in as a gym buddy. Knowing that there’s someone at the gym waiting for you can be a powerful motivator and can make your training session more fun as well.

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