I love morning workouts. The alarm goes off while it’s still dark, you throw on your gear, knock out your session, and by breakfast you’ve already won the day.

But let’s be real—some mornings feel like you’re running with lead boots. That 30-minute workout you nailed on Tuesday suddenly drains you on Thursday.

So what’s going on?

Why does working out first thing in the morning feel so much harder? It’s not all in your head. Your body’s clock, hormones, and temperature are all working against you.

Your core body temperature is naturally lowest early in the morning. Research shows muscles contract more efficiently when warmer, which is one reason most people hit peak strength and power between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Since your body temperature is low, spend a few extra minutes warming up. Think 5–10 minutes of dynamic movement—lunges, arm swings, a light row or ski-erg—to raise your temperature and “wake up” your system.

Hormones like insulin and cortisol follow a schedule, too. Early on, your body might not deliver fuel as efficiently or activate muscle fibers as fully, making what felt like a “normal” workout seem unusually hard.

If it’s early, maybe skip the max-effort lifts or toughest conditioning pieces. Save those for later in the day if your schedule allows. On early mornings, aim for workouts that focus on movement quality, mobility, and good form.

Are you a morning person—or a night owl? If your natural rhythm leans later, trying to hammer a full-on workout at dawn can feel especially brutal. But the flip side is this: regular morning training can train your rhythm. Over time, that early slot becomes less of a struggle.

If your body hates early workouts, focus on improving your chronotype—wind down earlier, dim lights, avoid screens, and get consistent sleep. Gradually, that 5 a.m. session will start to feel more normal.

Here’s the deal: the best workout time is the one you’ll actually do. If you’re always dragging at dawn but thriving at 6 p.m., then that’s the habit to build. Consistency matters far more than the clock.

Morning workouts don’t have to be torture. With smart preparation and the right expectations, you can turn that “ugh” feeling into a solid win. And when you consistently show up—even when it’s hard—you’ll build strength, resilience, and a habit that carries you through every season of life.