Establishing a reliable fitness routine is a great way to get in shape and stay healthy. A morning workout at the gym before work gets the day going on a positive note and frees up the rest of your day after work. If you are not a morning person, don’t worry! There are several easy ways to prepare for a morning gym visit that will get your blood racing and keep you feeling great all day.

7 Ways To Take The Headache Out Of Hitting The Gym Before Work

1. Be Proactive The Night Before

Be prepared to wake up early. Set your alarm to go off in time to hit the gym. Depending on your commute, how long it takes you to get ready, and the length of your gym routine, you’ll need to get a few hours earlier than usual.

Have your workout gear ready and packed in a gym bag, along with shower accessories, if you are going straight to work afterward. If you pack your lunch, have that ready to go too (with a cooler bag if needed).

2. Simple (But Effective) Ways To Get Yourself Out Of Your Morning Funk

Waking up can be hard. If you’re really not a morning person, make sure to set multiple alarms and do something that will get you pumped. Some ways to get pumped include:

• Play motivational music as you get ready

• Splash your face with cold water

• Set your coffee machine to automatically brew so you can wake up to the smell of fresh ground

…Being prepared means getting to bed earlier so you can wake up ready to go.

3. Additional Tips That Make Getting To The Gym Smooth Sailing

• Fill the gas tank the night before to avoid an extra stop.

• Ignore phone calls and text messages until after the gym.

• Get there in time to snatch a prime parking spot so you can get in and get out quickly.

[RELATED: 4 Ways to Fit More Exercise Into Your (Already Busy) Life]

4. Plan Your Workout Routine Before You Enter The Gym

Before you even get to the gym, you should have some sort of idea how you are going to make the most of your morning workout. Have an intention in mind ahead of time. A good time to do this is the night before.

Of course, you can see how you feel and tailor your workout accordingly, whether jogging the track, swimming some laps, or working muscles on the machines. You might be in the mood for a dance class or exercise group. Oftentimes, your gym will have classes early enough that you can get these in.

To make your before-work schedule efficient, have an idea of what you plan to do when you get to the gym. You don’t want to waste time standing around waiting for a late jazz instructor or twiddle your thumbs in line for a treadmill.

You’ll also want to have a backup plan in case your first choice doesn’t work out. Change it up occasionally to work different muscle groups and to build overall body fitness that includes aerobic and muscle-building activities.

5. Check For Special Programs

Some gyms offer seasonal discounts or seasonal competitions. Larger facilities provide access to classes, trainers, and therapists who can work with you on an individual basis to set up a plan for improved fitness. Holiday programs, members’ parties, and fun activities for everyone like a holiday event for the family are more ways to maximize your gym membership investment. Specialized equipment may be available to time your pace on the treadmill or elliptical machine, or to measure the distance that would be running if you were actually moving on firm ground. Some machines measure heart rate, too, to help you stay in your target area. If you have a set goal for each workout, it makes it much easier to stay focused.

6. Bring a Friend

Your partner, sibling, parent, or coworker might be interested in joining the gym, especially with a two-for-one discount. In addition, sharing physical activities like spotting each other in the weight-lifting area or jogging together makes the exercise more enjoyable. People who work out with a friend often stick with it longer than those who exercise alone. If you workout with your significant other, you’ll get to reap the additional benefits of working out together.

7. Have Fun

If you’re going to get up early and get a workout in, you might as well make the most of it. Clip on your iPod with your energizing playlist. Smile at everyone you meet; research shows that smiling improves your mood and helps others feel better, too. Socialize with the regulars, whether it’s the Silver Sneakers retirees or high school teens working out before school. Getting to know familiar faces will make you feel like part of the group.

Hitting the gym before work might become the high point of your day! It gets your workout out of the way and gives you time to do whatever you want in the evening. Check out your gym’s full range of services, tackle your routine seriously and consistently, and celebrate the fantastic results that enhance physical fitness.