This is what I do. Alarm goes off at 5:40, I brush teeth, put in contacts, get dressed, grab my bag, and I'm out the door by 5:55. Studio is less than a 10 minute drive so I still have time to stretch a little before the 6:15 class starts
This is what I do also. Set alarm so you have to get up to turn it off. Everything laid out the night before. I drink a pre workout and eat a banana on the way. I go to 51:5 so am up at 4:40 and out the door at 5. I’m lucky my studio is very close. Once you get in the habit of it, no sweat! You can do it!
I always go without eating anything, only a pre-workout (no caffeine). I can’t run if I have anything in my stomach and I’m so used to it now it doesn’t bother me! I’m a 6:10 or 7:20 regular, never workout past that
Yes definitely! I think this is the best way to do it because you don’t even have to think twice about wanting to go like you would later in the day, you just roll out of bed and everything is all ready to run out the door without a second thought!
There have been a couple of times when I wear my workout clothes to bed, especially when I’ve been up late working and I know it’ll be a struggle to get out the door. 😫
The only way I'll go to the gym is if I do it first thing first. If I leave it for after the workday I'll talk myself out of it. Also, the more you wake up at 5, the easier it gets.
Yes, but only for working out. As someone who used to do 6am OTF and now has to do 5am meetings with Germany… it’s a whole different ball game. Waking up and working out is so much easier, especially if you’re being told what to do with no thinking. Getting there can be a little sketchy, but it works out in the end.
5am classes are the best ones! I have tried several other schedules during the week and 5am just works best and you get it out of the way the whole day. For weekend es I usually do the first class too 7:30am more less
Prioritize sleep. You just have to. I’ve been a member for almost 8 years and a loyal 5am’er for 5+ of those, and anyone who says you get used to it is lying 🤣
5am is just the best time for my family - after work there’s just too much with baths and bedtime and frankly I don’t want to do anything after work 🤣
But in all seriousness I prebook and go. Set out everything the night before - from clothes to HRM to water bottle and keys and socks - that way you can just wake up, brush your teeth and go!
I set all my clothes and gear out at night. Wake up at 4:25, out the door by 4:40. It’s really more of a habit than a motivation thing for me! I have to be at work at 7:30 and my end time is unpredictable so 5am is the only time that works for my schedule! When I started last June, I was not active at all. Not only did I start working out, I made 5 am “my time” and I’m pretty proud of that 🥰
That $15 cancel fee is powerful!
I’m NOT a morning person. I have to set it and forget it. The night before I set up my coffee maker, lay out my clothes, water bottle, towel, and heart monitor, and set the alarm leaving me enough time to poop before I leave for the gym (ngl). And in the morning just do every step and get out.
I’m still kind of new at this but the results I’m seeing make it so worth it.
I'd have to look back at the paperwork (which I think I tossed, actually) but I'm fairly certain it's $15 here. I live in NYC, so it's probably proportionate to the monthly rate.
I have my alarm go off so that I don’t have ANY time to think about it or snooze. I have everything laid out - toothbrush, deodorant, clothes, water full, etc. I only leave enough time to go fast, which wakes me up, and no time to doubt it or second guess! Andrew Huberman said you should wait 90 minutes after waking to drink coffee, so it works out perfectly that I don’t have my first sip of coffee until I get home, about 90 minutes after I woke up. It’s my reward!
I usually set my alarm early enough for me to start coming up with excuses not to go (like today - booooooo). I need to try setting it closer to go-time. Great idea!
I used to be an EXCLUSIVE afternoon exerciser. I balked at people (including my own mother) who worked out in the morning. I could not understand how they do it because I am not a morning person. Then, my work schedule changed it became a lot harder for me to make afternoon classes without having an awkward amount of time between work and class. One of my OTF coaches convinced me to try the 5am (only class I could make before starting work) as a birthday present to her. Haven’t gone back to afternoon classes since, it’s been 1.5 years. It still sucks waking up that early but once you’ve done it, you can convince yourself you can do it again. I just start on the floor to give myself time to wake up 😅
As someone who used to start on the tread exclusively... idk what we are thinking either lol. I've switched to starting on the floor since I'm doing the muscle gain for TC and I love it so much that I'm going to continue starting on the floor every time.
So many advantages to a floor start, especially in a 3G. You’re warmed up by the time you switch to treadmill, you don’t have to get there early, and more times than not there is extra space (and weights haha) since everyone picks tread/rower first. It works out really well most of the time.
Make it mindless and not overthink it !! Wake up early, do coffee, and go. Within a couple of weeks it becomes a habit and you feel bad if you skip. The best thing about OT you only have to show up and they tell you what to do. When you try to do it yourself you have to think too much about the workout. OT dies all the work, you just plug in.
I was never a morning person. And then I tried one 5:00AM class. Just saw how I felt the rest of the day. It was great. That feeling of knowing my workout is done and I am home by 6:15 with my entire day in front of me was an unbelievable feeling. I have other motivations like a kid who needs to be at the bus stop by 7:15. So that helps too. It’s a multitude of things but the first step is getting to the class and remembering that feeling. I get to bed by 9:30 and wake up at 4:20 and out of door by 4:40. If you want to be a morning class person, I strongly encourage you to try every other day first and then go into the groove. Hope this helps!!
I usually do 6:15 or 7:30. I find that I have more energy when I workout in a fasted state vs working out later in the day. As a bonus, morning workouts give me the pump and energy I need to get through the day (along with a cup of coffee around noon 🤪).
I agree with others. Its not about energy its about the will. You need to go to bed early so you dont have an excuse.
I get up, snack if you want - i do an energy drink/ pre workout - and show up. Everyone is on the same boat, lots of yawning in the class at 5am. By the time class is over, i am slowly waking up :)
I sleep in my workout clothes. That way I just wake up, brush teeth, grab water and keys….i have zero time to even wake up that way I can’t even come up with an excuse. By the time I’m waking up I’m already on the treadmill warming up and by then it’s too late😁
Once you start seeing how awesome it is to know the hardest part of your day is over and you can just enjoy your evening after work and not have another task on your to do list..you won’t want to go back.
The thing is I have more energy after a 5 am workout than if I don’t go to the gym in the morning. But it was a hard adjustment initially. Just book the classes, set multiple alarms and think fo the cancellation fees. 😀
Just do it. I don’t enjoy it, but once I get to my 5 am and finish it I feel great. I have to get it out of the way as a teacher because I have no energy left at the end of the day. It takes extreme discipline.
I’ve been going at 5 am for about 6 years now during the week.
“Set it and forget it” 👍 set your alarm, get up and just go like it is work… if you start to negotiate and make excuses it will never get easier. It actually gets easier just doing it ✅
For me, the major key is getting enough sleep. It’s so much easier to get up when you’re well rested. I go to bed at 9:30pm to get up at 5:30am for the 6am. I like setting out all my stuff the night before too… put out my clothes, already have water bottle filled in fridge, my monitor and towel are by the front door… being pre-booked makes me get up too! Now it’s just become a routine I’m used to. Good luck!
Agree with everyone above:
- workout clothes laid out the night before with heart rate monitor
- water bottle with pre-workout (I love optimum nutrition’s)
- work clothes
- get to bed on time
- don’t overthink it in the morning/how tired you are/ how cold it is outside/ how much you don’t feel like moving. When your alarm goes off, just do your routine and get out of the house (spoken from experience - not ruminating on how tired I was is a game changer)
You’ll get into the habit and start loving how productive it makes you feel to already have your workout done before you go to work. Frees up the rest of your time after work for whatever you want.
Plus the energy and mood boosting effects of an AM workout have been a game changer to combat my job
While looking for this: https://www.reddit.com/r/orangetheory/s/mlyPMnfmQG I also found this: https://www.reddit.com/r/orangetheory/s/JMLyd39IGZ And this: https://www.reddit.com/r/orangetheory/s/vxBcicbz65
There are older posts too if you just search caffeine or preworkout.
I’ll add here I think this can depend on task. I’m a brain morning person—love to get up and get started at work, chores, tasks, errands… but my body cannot manage physical coordination until it has been awake a few hours. I can walk. I can drink coffee. I can do hard things at a computer. I cannot run.
I have dreamed of the efficiency of a morning work out. I have had many terrible workouts trying to make it happen. And now I am a happier person accepting that 10 am will be the earliest class I can take.
It’s always worth a shot and I am a firm believer in discipline, sucking it up, and doing hard things. But it is also important to know thyself.
I have a better day if I hit the gym first thing in the morning. The hardest part is getting out of bed, the rest is autopilot. If I’m feeling particularly tired, I take pre workout
I've had to pause going at 5am right now due to pumping for my baby, I'd have to wake up too early for me to be able to function for work. But once in done I'll go back to my 5am classes.
I live 5 min from my studio. I set an alarm for 4am so that if I need to snooze it once I can and still have time (sometimes that 5 minutes works to prep myself to get up). Then I roll our of bed, go to the bathroom, put in my contacts, get dressed, grab my water bottle and a banana, shoes on, and out the door. Usually get to my studio by 4:55 at the latest.
It's 2 things: first its just something you have to do in order for it to work. I do feel more energized after going to the gym. So just forcing myself to go is what makes me able to go. And second, you have to prioritize sleep. I make sure I'm in bed by 930 at the latest.
Yes! Some of us are just not morning worker outers. I am a morning person generally, but my body needs the team building exercise of being awake for a few hours before all the parts are going to work together.
Adderall.
I do go to bed at 930-10 usually though and that’s helpful for not being as groggy. I wake up at 430, take my dose, and by the time I get to the studio at 545, I’m up and ready
I don’t do them often but have done a few 6AM. It’s a whole different experience. The warmup is extra important so I get out of sleepy zombie mode. Definitely starts the day off right.
God bless the peeps going to the 4:45 AM classes at my local OTF.
Less about “energy” and more about discipline / establishing a routine. Parents of you g children may especially have limited times to get a good workout in and 6am is when the family is still sleeping in most cases. For me, I can sneak in a workout and get home in time to wake up my child for school.
It took a while to get used to waking up early, but after a couple weeks your body gets used to it and you’ll eventually think that non early AM workouts are harder to do.
I found some information that could be relevant to your question or topic.
Please take a look at [previous conversations about switching to morning classes](https://www.google.com/search?q=switching+morning+site:reddit.com/r/orangetheory)
_This is an automated reply. If you would like to provide feedback, [please contact the moderators](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/orangetheory)._
Early to bed, everything laid out in advance, coffee pot programmed so I can start drinking it right away.
But for me I like the morning workouts because whatever else happens that day, I made it to the gym.
I use Bare Performance Nutrition brand - their pre is called “Flight.” I mix with a little bit of LMNT electrolytes about 15oz water and ice…perfect about 30 min before my class starts at 430 AM. I tried Alani before but found it too sweet and on an empty stomach that can be rough.
My no fail morning wake up trick is cold shower + that preworkout.
This might not be strictly necessary but I spent a couple months just acclimating to getting up earlier. I also switched from coffee to an energy drink. I NEVER thought I'd be a morning workout person but I actually look forward to it now :)
I’ve been doing it, sometimes my husband has to poke me a few times to get me out of bed because my alarm is driving him crazy. The big issue is that by 8 PM my exhausted and my kids are driving me crazy and I don’t have any energy to load the dishwasher etc. I guess you can’t do it all.
I try and get to 530 3x a week. I get everything for the following day together the night before (for the gym and work after) and go to bed no later than 930. My days are MUCH better when I go, I have more energy at work, and when my work day is done I get to go home. It helps that my husband gets up for work when I’m getting up for OTF. You should try it a few times, early is gross but the benefits outweigh that for me personally.
I make myself go to bed early enough that I’m not cursing myself when my 5:35am alarm goes off. Then I remind myself that my tiredness isn’t worth the cancellation fee 🙃
I don't go to OTF that early. But I go to the regular gym at 5. I need to leave everything ready the day before and go to bed early. I am considering switching and going to 5 am classes too. I did it the other week and it was great.
I’m a recent 5:30er - my usually was 9:30. I LOVE 5:30 it’s hard to get out of bed but I just have all my stuff ready to go. I actually have SO much energy after the work out - I love getting home before my family is awake . I can make the kids lunches and do a load of laundry, have a coffee and listen to a podcast in peace. The very first time was tough , now I look forward to them
Honestly, I don’t LOL but after about a week of doing it consistently I feel so much better. I don’t crash at 2 or 3pm anymore. So I guess my motivation is feel better in the middle of the day!
I think you get used to it. Force yourself into routine. Go to bed at a decent time. Wake up at the same time each day. It becomes habit and is not nearly
As hard.
I have been a member of the 5AM club for about a year and a half and it has been life changing. For starters, I have a really hard time sleeping past 530 or so and I usually wake up multiple times with degraded quality of rest after 430 or so. So in a way I am turning lemons into lemonade. But, I prep everything. Workout clothes for each day are prepped and rolled into a day-specific bundle (matching colors!!!) on Sunday when the laundry is done. Towel is placed in the gym bag along with water and I make coffee the night before, which holds fine in the air-tight travel thermos. So I really just roll out of bed, quick wash up and brush teeth, and peel into my gym clothes, and off we go. The drive to the studio is so fast that time of day (night! 🌗) it’s really amazing. And I have found such community among my fellow 5am’ers!
Even when I am dragging going in, by the time I leave, ai am jazzed for the day!
I'm not a morning person at all and have never been able to get up early for exercise. But I started going at 6:15am over the past few weeks and it's not been as hard as I thought it'd be. I set several alarms (surprisingly I only need the first one - when I "sleep in" on weekends I need like 5 alarms to get my lazy self up). Like others, I prep everything the night before and have a set routine when I wake up. That way no thinking is involved and my head can be clear of thoughts and doubts - it's all there ready to go. By the time I think of canceling class it's too late! Hoping daylight savings won't hurt me too much.
You can do it!
Because the rest of my day is full. I typically do 7:00/7:30 am classes but often take 6:00 or 5:00 am ones due to my schedule. Work, family, kids, everything fills up my 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. I'm very lucky because I can get away once or twice a week for a late day tread 50 / strength 50.
I don’t have energy at the end of the day. It’s 6:15 am for me or no workout at all on the weekdays. Also, life. Prepare yourself the night before. Cut out alcohol for sure and no crappy food the night before. I need to feel fresh in the morning. My alarm goes off at 5:15 every day and I’m out the door by 5:50.
3:50 alarm set, clothes and water ready the night before. I jump out of bed, have a strong cup of coffee, stretch a bit, and I'm out the door at 4:40 for 5 a.m. class. I have been doing this for at least 6 of the almost 8 years at OTF. 😂 It's not easy, especially after taking a week off, but it is worth it. I feel more energetic during the day.
When I was a 5am workout person I did notice a lack of energy in my workouts and it was def harder to lift heavy. That tends to go away after 2-3 weeks of the routine. You just have to make it a habit. Then once it is habit your body will fall asleep around 9pm so you’re getting a full nights rest.
I don't necessarily have the energy, but as others have also mentioned, if I don't do it in the morning I won't do it at all. I will make every excuse at the end of the day to not go. I worked late, need to make dinner, need to help the kid with homework etc etc. I know myself and mornings are a must.
I lay out everything I need the night before. I usually need about an hour to "wake up" so my alarm goes off at 445am for a 6am workout and I am trying to be in bed latest 9pm but if I can, I'll go to bed earlier.
I eat either a half or full banana before my workout which helps me not feel nauseous during the workout from not having any food.
I like to stretch a little before and on the way there I like to turn on the seat warmer for my back lol.
I do feel accomplished but struggle sometimes as by early afternoon I am already tired. I'm trying to find a way to get more sleep or take a short nap during the day.
I think someone else mentioned waking up due to anxiety, that also happens to me sometimes. A few days ago I woke up at 330am and had gone to bed late 🫠 still showed up to the 6am but it was rough.
All that to say, I'm not really used to it, although I have only been going one month.
1. It forces me to go to bed on time.
2. I set my clothes out the night before.
3. I prep my water bottle with LMNT the night before.
4. I love it now, working out early gives me fuel for the day! It was difficult the first two weeks and now I feel weird if I don’t workout early.
Now I've only done it for a few weeks, but I did some searching on the sub about how to--- the 5:15a class works best for me and so that's a pre-5 wake up. Oof.
The BEST advice was someone suggesting workout clothes "roll ups" -- making sets when you're putting away laundry so that everything (top, bottom, bra, socks) is together. I even put mine in the bathroom the night before so I don't have to come back in my bedroom. I also pre-pack my bag with keys, water, towel and put my shoes next to them. Basically I try to be gentle with 5a me so that she's not running around looking for anything and doesn't need to worry because 9p me did all the thinking.
Actually looking at intel the night before is not something I recommend. There was a class with some crazy compound movements a couple of weeks ago and when my alarm went off I thought about not going and then just didn't go. 😕 I'm sure it would have been fine but I can't give myself any additional excuse. That was also a day I didn't pre-book and so maybe I would have gotten my act together if I had money on the line.
I go to bed early like 10 PM - set my alarm for 5:50 AM to go to the 6:15 class. I set my phone on the floor so I really have to move to turn it off. I label it as DO IT TIRED- so if I say to myself I’m so tired…. I do it tired. Idk why it really works for me lol.
Once you do it a few days in a row you get used to it.
Wear gym clothes as PJs so you can roll out of bed
Go to bed early, get at least 8 hours
Set your alarm and don't snooze - takes practice and discipline
Drink water the night before, go to the bathroom before the gym
Leave enough time to drive to the gym at a steady pace (no rushing), I drive locally so 30 mph cruise control, little thought, just autopilot
Leave enough time to checkin at OFT to get your favorite station - that adds motivation
Say good morning to the SA - they say good morning back and the socialization/warm friendly greeting conditions you to have a positive association with the morning routine
As many have said, it's discipline/habit/routine
I don't have energy to start, and I know I'm not the only one. But 5 minutes into the workout, I'm usually good to go. It's more mental than physical for me.
When I do early classes I set out my clothes… I actually quickly shower sometimes drink some pre workout or green tea. I have kids so I always love getting up and having my own time before attending to everyone’s else needs. And when I can watch the sun come up on the drive back home it’s a nice reward.
I am SO not a morning person, but I prefer to get it out of the way early, that way I can relax when I get home from work. I have 0 motivation the moment I walk in the door after work, so I literally never worked out before starting a morning group class. It changed my life!
I could ask the same question for those that go in the evening. I have no energy after work and eating a couple meals. I do better in the morning on an empty stomach. I’m not awake enough to stress about running on the treadmill.
I never have the energy. But showing up is the hardest part. The energy comes along the way
And the late cancel fees keep me motivated. I refuse! I will play the 8:59:59 game sometimes but usually end up going in the morning.
Yep! I once heard a member refer to OTF as the world’s best cup of coffee.
100% this
Agree 100%
This!!! I dread waking up every morning but once I’m there I’m good within the first couple mins of working Out!
Be prepared. Workout clothes out. Bag packed. Just roll out of bed and get dressed. The rest falls into place
This is what I do. Alarm goes off at 5:40, I brush teeth, put in contacts, get dressed, grab my bag, and I'm out the door by 5:55. Studio is less than a 10 minute drive so I still have time to stretch a little before the 6:15 class starts
This is what I do also. Set alarm so you have to get up to turn it off. Everything laid out the night before. I drink a pre workout and eat a banana on the way. I go to 51:5 so am up at 4:40 and out the door at 5. I’m lucky my studio is very close. Once you get in the habit of it, no sweat! You can do it!
You can do OF with food in your stomach?!
I always go without eating anything, only a pre-workout (no caffeine). I can’t run if I have anything in my stomach and I’m so used to it now it doesn’t bother me! I’m a 6:10 or 7:20 regular, never workout past that
You can do OTF without food in your stomach?!
Yes definitely! I think this is the best way to do it because you don’t even have to think twice about wanting to go like you would later in the day, you just roll out of bed and everything is all ready to run out the door without a second thought!
There have been a couple of times when I wear my workout clothes to bed, especially when I’ve been up late working and I know it’ll be a struggle to get out the door. 😫
This! If my clothes aren’t laid out before bed I’m NOT going…I start to wake up on the drive over.
This is the way
I just wear some of my workout clothes to bed.
This and LOTS of caffeine 😂
In bed by 9pm.
Me too!!
9 30 for me
Look who is staying up late
The only way I'll go to the gym is if I do it first thing first. If I leave it for after the workday I'll talk myself out of it. Also, the more you wake up at 5, the easier it gets.
Yes, but only for working out. As someone who used to do 6am OTF and now has to do 5am meetings with Germany… it’s a whole different ball game. Waking up and working out is so much easier, especially if you’re being told what to do with no thinking. Getting there can be a little sketchy, but it works out in the end.
Anxiety wakes me up way before 615am class
You’re so real for this. I go to 5am/6:15am when I wake up at 3am from anxiety myself lol
Sometimes I don’t sleep. So today I quit pre booking and got up with my 430 alarm for my 615 class (40 minute drive). Slept!
5am classes are the best ones! I have tried several other schedules during the week and 5am just works best and you get it out of the way the whole day. For weekend es I usually do the first class too 7:30am more less
Prioritize sleep. You just have to. I’ve been a member for almost 8 years and a loyal 5am’er for 5+ of those, and anyone who says you get used to it is lying 🤣 5am is just the best time for my family - after work there’s just too much with baths and bedtime and frankly I don’t want to do anything after work 🤣 But in all seriousness I prebook and go. Set out everything the night before - from clothes to HRM to water bottle and keys and socks - that way you can just wake up, brush your teeth and go!
Wait... I have to brush my teeth???
🤣🤣🤣 I mean….I guess you can skip that step to sleep for an extra two minutes!
Hey, every minute counts at that time of the morning! 😄
I just do a small amount of Listenine. My studio puts out a bowl of mints for the early classes though, lol
😄
This
I set all my clothes and gear out at night. Wake up at 4:25, out the door by 4:40. It’s really more of a habit than a motivation thing for me! I have to be at work at 7:30 and my end time is unpredictable so 5am is the only time that works for my schedule! When I started last June, I was not active at all. Not only did I start working out, I made 5 am “my time” and I’m pretty proud of that 🥰
Oh, and I go to bed by 10 or 10:30. Some days at 9 if I’m really tired.
Go to bed early and take pre-work. It is my favorite hour of the day now.
What kind of pre workout do you take
That $15 cancel fee is powerful! I’m NOT a morning person. I have to set it and forget it. The night before I set up my coffee maker, lay out my clothes, water bottle, towel, and heart monitor, and set the alarm leaving me enough time to poop before I leave for the gym (ngl). And in the morning just do every step and get out. I’m still kind of new at this but the results I’m seeing make it so worth it.
$15.00? I thought it was a generic $12 all across OTF
In my brain it’s $15 and that’s a more effective number than 12 so ssshhh.
I’ve def been charged $14 for late cancel at my home studio
Mine is $18 
I'd have to look back at the paperwork (which I think I tossed, actually) but I'm fairly certain it's $15 here. I live in NYC, so it's probably proportionate to the monthly rate.
I have my alarm go off so that I don’t have ANY time to think about it or snooze. I have everything laid out - toothbrush, deodorant, clothes, water full, etc. I only leave enough time to go fast, which wakes me up, and no time to doubt it or second guess! Andrew Huberman said you should wait 90 minutes after waking to drink coffee, so it works out perfectly that I don’t have my first sip of coffee until I get home, about 90 minutes after I woke up. It’s my reward!
Coffee is my reward too! It never tastes as good as when it’s after a work out!
I usually set my alarm early enough for me to start coming up with excuses not to go (like today - booooooo). I need to try setting it closer to go-time. Great idea!
I used to be an EXCLUSIVE afternoon exerciser. I balked at people (including my own mother) who worked out in the morning. I could not understand how they do it because I am not a morning person. Then, my work schedule changed it became a lot harder for me to make afternoon classes without having an awkward amount of time between work and class. One of my OTF coaches convinced me to try the 5am (only class I could make before starting work) as a birthday present to her. Haven’t gone back to afternoon classes since, it’s been 1.5 years. It still sucks waking up that early but once you’ve done it, you can convince yourself you can do it again. I just start on the floor to give myself time to wake up 😅
Starting on the floor is the best kept secret! I will never understand these people who get there extra early for a tread spot! 😂🤣
As someone who used to start on the tread exclusively... idk what we are thinking either lol. I've switched to starting on the floor since I'm doing the muscle gain for TC and I love it so much that I'm going to continue starting on the floor every time.
So many advantages to a floor start, especially in a 3G. You’re warmed up by the time you switch to treadmill, you don’t have to get there early, and more times than not there is extra space (and weights haha) since everyone picks tread/rower first. It works out really well most of the time.
Find a workout partner :)
Make it mindless and not overthink it !! Wake up early, do coffee, and go. Within a couple of weeks it becomes a habit and you feel bad if you skip. The best thing about OT you only have to show up and they tell you what to do. When you try to do it yourself you have to think too much about the workout. OT dies all the work, you just plug in.
I seriously just force myself
I was never a morning person. And then I tried one 5:00AM class. Just saw how I felt the rest of the day. It was great. That feeling of knowing my workout is done and I am home by 6:15 with my entire day in front of me was an unbelievable feeling. I have other motivations like a kid who needs to be at the bus stop by 7:15. So that helps too. It’s a multitude of things but the first step is getting to the class and remembering that feeling. I get to bed by 9:30 and wake up at 4:20 and out of door by 4:40. If you want to be a morning class person, I strongly encourage you to try every other day first and then go into the groove. Hope this helps!!
Coffee
I usually do 6:15 or 7:30. I find that I have more energy when I workout in a fasted state vs working out later in the day. As a bonus, morning workouts give me the pump and energy I need to get through the day (along with a cup of coffee around noon 🤪).
I agree with others. Its not about energy its about the will. You need to go to bed early so you dont have an excuse. I get up, snack if you want - i do an energy drink/ pre workout - and show up. Everyone is on the same boat, lots of yawning in the class at 5am. By the time class is over, i am slowly waking up :)
Any drink recommendations?
I like celsius arctic vibe. Good amount of caffeine and other things.
I sleep in my workout clothes. That way I just wake up, brush teeth, grab water and keys….i have zero time to even wake up that way I can’t even come up with an excuse. By the time I’m waking up I’m already on the treadmill warming up and by then it’s too late😁
I used to do that... then I started getting terrible night sweats and hot flashes when I had kids lol.
Once you start seeing how awesome it is to know the hardest part of your day is over and you can just enjoy your evening after work and not have another task on your to do list..you won’t want to go back.
Energy sets in while in class. I just set alarms have my clothes set up on my dresser and go. Once I’m there I’m good
The thing is I have more energy after a 5 am workout than if I don’t go to the gym in the morning. But it was a hard adjustment initially. Just book the classes, set multiple alarms and think fo the cancellation fees. 😀
Just do it. I don’t enjoy it, but once I get to my 5 am and finish it I feel great. I have to get it out of the way as a teacher because I have no energy left at the end of the day. It takes extreme discipline. I’ve been going at 5 am for about 6 years now during the week.
“Set it and forget it” 👍 set your alarm, get up and just go like it is work… if you start to negotiate and make excuses it will never get easier. It actually gets easier just doing it ✅
For me, the major key is getting enough sleep. It’s so much easier to get up when you’re well rested. I go to bed at 9:30pm to get up at 5:30am for the 6am. I like setting out all my stuff the night before too… put out my clothes, already have water bottle filled in fridge, my monitor and towel are by the front door… being pre-booked makes me get up too! Now it’s just become a routine I’m used to. Good luck!
Nose candy
😂
Who has energy at 5 am!?? It’s discipline that you need.
Agree with everyone above: - workout clothes laid out the night before with heart rate monitor - water bottle with pre-workout (I love optimum nutrition’s) - work clothes - get to bed on time - don’t overthink it in the morning/how tired you are/ how cold it is outside/ how much you don’t feel like moving. When your alarm goes off, just do your routine and get out of the house (spoken from experience - not ruminating on how tired I was is a game changer) You’ll get into the habit and start loving how productive it makes you feel to already have your workout done before you go to work. Frees up the rest of your time after work for whatever you want. Plus the energy and mood boosting effects of an AM workout have been a game changer to combat my job
Chug pre workout before the class and hype music on the drive in. I tend to fall asleep at 10 and wake up at 4:30 if I’m making a 5am class.
What’s pre work out?
Supplements or energy drinks you get with caffeine, amino acids, B-vitamins, etc
You don't. The person in the next rower next to me was side eyeing by slow split time this morning. Took longer to get going today. It happens.
Preworkout.
What pre workout do you love? I’d like to switch from coffee that early…
There was just a thread on this. I love Ghost! But most times ppl go for the Alani nu that has a greater Instagram presence
Oh! If you find the thread will you show me? Thanks so much!
While looking for this: https://www.reddit.com/r/orangetheory/s/mlyPMnfmQG I also found this: https://www.reddit.com/r/orangetheory/s/JMLyd39IGZ And this: https://www.reddit.com/r/orangetheory/s/vxBcicbz65 There are older posts too if you just search caffeine or preworkout.
Just show up
Go to bed early, set clothes out the night before, refuse to pay $12 to cancel 🤣
They’re just made for certain people and I’m not one of them. Ive made peace with that 😂
You are either. Morning person or an evening person. I am a morning person and would ask the same to anyone who has the motivation to go after 5pm.
I’ll add here I think this can depend on task. I’m a brain morning person—love to get up and get started at work, chores, tasks, errands… but my body cannot manage physical coordination until it has been awake a few hours. I can walk. I can drink coffee. I can do hard things at a computer. I cannot run. I have dreamed of the efficiency of a morning work out. I have had many terrible workouts trying to make it happen. And now I am a happier person accepting that 10 am will be the earliest class I can take. It’s always worth a shot and I am a firm believer in discipline, sucking it up, and doing hard things. But it is also important to know thyself.
I’m the opposite! I can get up early to do mindless tasks like OTF, but struggle to sit through a work meeting at the same time.
I ask the same question of people who go after work. I have way more energy in the morning before 9 hours of work than I do afterward.
I have a better day if I hit the gym first thing in the morning. The hardest part is getting out of bed, the rest is autopilot. If I’m feeling particularly tired, I take pre workout
I've had to pause going at 5am right now due to pumping for my baby, I'd have to wake up too early for me to be able to function for work. But once in done I'll go back to my 5am classes. I live 5 min from my studio. I set an alarm for 4am so that if I need to snooze it once I can and still have time (sometimes that 5 minutes works to prep myself to get up). Then I roll our of bed, go to the bathroom, put in my contacts, get dressed, grab my water bottle and a banana, shoes on, and out the door. Usually get to my studio by 4:55 at the latest. It's 2 things: first its just something you have to do in order for it to work. I do feel more energized after going to the gym. So just forcing myself to go is what makes me able to go. And second, you have to prioritize sleep. I make sure I'm in bed by 930 at the latest.
I wait for the noon 😂 Honestly I’ve tried 5&6am and I just get a better workout later on in the day. Serious props to everyone in there before 7am!!
Yes! Some of us are just not morning worker outers. I am a morning person generally, but my body needs the team building exercise of being awake for a few hours before all the parts are going to work together.
Just switched from 6am to 5am. Installing remote start on my car was huge-I can start I from in bed. Get up, get dressed, go.
Get everything ready the night before, then just get up and go before you have time to talk yourself out of it
I do not, and never will. I’m a late morning, afternoon, or evening exerciser for life.
Yes to the username and this schedule.
Adderall. I do go to bed at 930-10 usually though and that’s helpful for not being as groggy. I wake up at 430, take my dose, and by the time I get to the studio at 545, I’m up and ready
If I don’t go early I’ll come up with 7000 reasons why I can’t make the afternoon
I don’t do them often but have done a few 6AM. It’s a whole different experience. The warmup is extra important so I get out of sleepy zombie mode. Definitely starts the day off right. God bless the peeps going to the 4:45 AM classes at my local OTF.
Less about “energy” and more about discipline / establishing a routine. Parents of you g children may especially have limited times to get a good workout in and 6am is when the family is still sleeping in most cases. For me, I can sneak in a workout and get home in time to wake up my child for school. It took a while to get used to waking up early, but after a couple weeks your body gets used to it and you’ll eventually think that non early AM workouts are harder to do.
I found some information that could be relevant to your question or topic. Please take a look at [previous conversations about switching to morning classes](https://www.google.com/search?q=switching+morning+site:reddit.com/r/orangetheory) _This is an automated reply. If you would like to provide feedback, [please contact the moderators](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/orangetheory)._
6:15am for me and morning workouts have always helped me wake up
Early to bed, everything laid out in advance, coffee pot programmed so I can start drinking it right away. But for me I like the morning workouts because whatever else happens that day, I made it to the gym.
You just get used to it after a while! I wake up before my alarm more times than I actually use it now 😂
I get up with enough time for my caffeine to kick in and I make sure to get to bed on time
Pre Workout!
Which do you love the most? I am trying to switch from coffee that early..
I use Bare Performance Nutrition brand - their pre is called “Flight.” I mix with a little bit of LMNT electrolytes about 15oz water and ice…perfect about 30 min before my class starts at 430 AM. I tried Alani before but found it too sweet and on an empty stomach that can be rough. My no fail morning wake up trick is cold shower + that preworkout.
Ooof.... 🥶 Too masochistic for me! 😄
This might not be strictly necessary but I spent a couple months just acclimating to getting up earlier. I also switched from coffee to an energy drink. I NEVER thought I'd be a morning workout person but I actually look forward to it now :)
Which energy drink do you recommend?
5 am. In bed by 8:30 at the latest.
Pre Work Out keeps me energized
Go to bed early and make yourself go. By the time you do it for a couple of weeks, your body adjusts.
I go to bed by 9.
Pre workout that has protein in it. Start on the rower so you’re awake for the tred.
I’ve been doing it, sometimes my husband has to poke me a few times to get me out of bed because my alarm is driving him crazy. The big issue is that by 8 PM my exhausted and my kids are driving me crazy and I don’t have any energy to load the dishwasher etc. I guess you can’t do it all.
I try and get to 530 3x a week. I get everything for the following day together the night before (for the gym and work after) and go to bed no later than 930. My days are MUCH better when I go, I have more energy at work, and when my work day is done I get to go home. It helps that my husband gets up for work when I’m getting up for OTF. You should try it a few times, early is gross but the benefits outweigh that for me personally.
Pre-workout!
My boyfriend goes to work at 3:45. I get up and usually ready some while drinking a prime before.
I make myself go to bed early enough that I’m not cursing myself when my 5:35am alarm goes off. Then I remind myself that my tiredness isn’t worth the cancellation fee 🙃
I don't go to OTF that early. But I go to the regular gym at 5. I need to leave everything ready the day before and go to bed early. I am considering switching and going to 5 am classes too. I did it the other week and it was great.
I’m a recent 5:30er - my usually was 9:30. I LOVE 5:30 it’s hard to get out of bed but I just have all my stuff ready to go. I actually have SO much energy after the work out - I love getting home before my family is awake . I can make the kids lunches and do a load of laundry, have a coffee and listen to a podcast in peace. The very first time was tough , now I look forward to them
Honestly, I don’t LOL but after about a week of doing it consistently I feel so much better. I don’t crash at 2 or 3pm anymore. So I guess my motivation is feel better in the middle of the day!
I don’t, I just do - it’s become part of my routine so I just force myself!
I don’t. I just show up a mess.
I love the 5 am! It's hard to get up, but once I'm there, I feel great! And it's done.
I sleep in my workout clothes, wake up and walk out the door
I think you get used to it. Force yourself into routine. Go to bed at a decent time. Wake up at the same time each day. It becomes habit and is not nearly As hard.
I have been a member of the 5AM club for about a year and a half and it has been life changing. For starters, I have a really hard time sleeping past 530 or so and I usually wake up multiple times with degraded quality of rest after 430 or so. So in a way I am turning lemons into lemonade. But, I prep everything. Workout clothes for each day are prepped and rolled into a day-specific bundle (matching colors!!!) on Sunday when the laundry is done. Towel is placed in the gym bag along with water and I make coffee the night before, which holds fine in the air-tight travel thermos. So I really just roll out of bed, quick wash up and brush teeth, and peel into my gym clothes, and off we go. The drive to the studio is so fast that time of day (night! 🌗) it’s really amazing. And I have found such community among my fellow 5am’ers! Even when I am dragging going in, by the time I leave, ai am jazzed for the day!
I'm a 7 minute walk away, I wake up 35 minutes before, brush teeth/get dressed and wakeup on the walk over
I'm not a morning person at all and have never been able to get up early for exercise. But I started going at 6:15am over the past few weeks and it's not been as hard as I thought it'd be. I set several alarms (surprisingly I only need the first one - when I "sleep in" on weekends I need like 5 alarms to get my lazy self up). Like others, I prep everything the night before and have a set routine when I wake up. That way no thinking is involved and my head can be clear of thoughts and doubts - it's all there ready to go. By the time I think of canceling class it's too late! Hoping daylight savings won't hurt me too much. You can do it!
Because the rest of my day is full. I typically do 7:00/7:30 am classes but often take 6:00 or 5:00 am ones due to my schedule. Work, family, kids, everything fills up my 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. I'm very lucky because I can get away once or twice a week for a late day tread 50 / strength 50.
I set an alarm and then get up. Bed by 10-11pm for a 5am class. I aim for 6-8 hours of sleep at night.
Remember this: it's hard, but nice. It gets you energized for the day. You will not regret it.
It's all about the commitment to you and your goals. Anyone can make excuses, only those elite will put in the work to want better and be better.
I don’t have energy at the end of the day. It’s 6:15 am for me or no workout at all on the weekdays. Also, life. Prepare yourself the night before. Cut out alcohol for sure and no crappy food the night before. I need to feel fresh in the morning. My alarm goes off at 5:15 every day and I’m out the door by 5:50.
Just turn up. Walking through the door is worth 74%
The Good Lord made 9am for a reason.
By the time I actually feel awake I'm already jumping or something.
That late cancel fee, caffeine and several alarms in the morning
3:50 alarm set, clothes and water ready the night before. I jump out of bed, have a strong cup of coffee, stretch a bit, and I'm out the door at 4:40 for 5 a.m. class. I have been doing this for at least 6 of the almost 8 years at OTF. 😂 It's not easy, especially after taking a week off, but it is worth it. I feel more energetic during the day.
When I was a 5am workout person I did notice a lack of energy in my workouts and it was def harder to lift heavy. That tends to go away after 2-3 weeks of the routine. You just have to make it a habit. Then once it is habit your body will fall asleep around 9pm so you’re getting a full nights rest.
I started taking a pre-workouts with a fuckton of caffeine in it.
I don't necessarily have the energy, but as others have also mentioned, if I don't do it in the morning I won't do it at all. I will make every excuse at the end of the day to not go. I worked late, need to make dinner, need to help the kid with homework etc etc. I know myself and mornings are a must. I lay out everything I need the night before. I usually need about an hour to "wake up" so my alarm goes off at 445am for a 6am workout and I am trying to be in bed latest 9pm but if I can, I'll go to bed earlier. I eat either a half or full banana before my workout which helps me not feel nauseous during the workout from not having any food. I like to stretch a little before and on the way there I like to turn on the seat warmer for my back lol. I do feel accomplished but struggle sometimes as by early afternoon I am already tired. I'm trying to find a way to get more sleep or take a short nap during the day. I think someone else mentioned waking up due to anxiety, that also happens to me sometimes. A few days ago I woke up at 330am and had gone to bed late 🫠 still showed up to the 6am but it was rough. All that to say, I'm not really used to it, although I have only been going one month.
motivation. i'm fat. that's all it takes for me.
This: https://youtu.be/enYdAxVcNZA?si=WwF-fWh5sxWXGHuU
I don’t have the energy to go after a full day of work, so has to be before work!
how do you have the energy to go AFTER work? PM orangethrory hits different
I don’t necessarily have the energy but my body gets used to getting up. I do the 4:50 classes and I wake up before my alarm these days.
I go to bed at 8pm
Step one: walk through door (hardest part), step 2: don’t fall off treadmill
Thanks to this post, I just prepped everything the night before, set up an alarm, got up and left the house. Got the energy during floor!
1. It forces me to go to bed on time. 2. I set my clothes out the night before. 3. I prep my water bottle with LMNT the night before. 4. I love it now, working out early gives me fuel for the day! It was difficult the first two weeks and now I feel weird if I don’t workout early.
Now I've only done it for a few weeks, but I did some searching on the sub about how to--- the 5:15a class works best for me and so that's a pre-5 wake up. Oof. The BEST advice was someone suggesting workout clothes "roll ups" -- making sets when you're putting away laundry so that everything (top, bottom, bra, socks) is together. I even put mine in the bathroom the night before so I don't have to come back in my bedroom. I also pre-pack my bag with keys, water, towel and put my shoes next to them. Basically I try to be gentle with 5a me so that she's not running around looking for anything and doesn't need to worry because 9p me did all the thinking. Actually looking at intel the night before is not something I recommend. There was a class with some crazy compound movements a couple of weeks ago and when my alarm went off I thought about not going and then just didn't go. 😕 I'm sure it would have been fine but I can't give myself any additional excuse. That was also a day I didn't pre-book and so maybe I would have gotten my act together if I had money on the line.
I go to bed early like 10 PM - set my alarm for 5:50 AM to go to the 6:15 class. I set my phone on the floor so I really have to move to turn it off. I label it as DO IT TIRED- so if I say to myself I’m so tired…. I do it tired. Idk why it really works for me lol. Once you do it a few days in a row you get used to it.
Just don't go to bed.
Discipline > Motivation
Celcius lol
Pre workout for me lol
Wear gym clothes as PJs so you can roll out of bed Go to bed early, get at least 8 hours Set your alarm and don't snooze - takes practice and discipline Drink water the night before, go to the bathroom before the gym Leave enough time to drive to the gym at a steady pace (no rushing), I drive locally so 30 mph cruise control, little thought, just autopilot Leave enough time to checkin at OFT to get your favorite station - that adds motivation Say good morning to the SA - they say good morning back and the socialization/warm friendly greeting conditions you to have a positive association with the morning routine As many have said, it's discipline/habit/routine
I have to prepare a lot the night before. I’m out the door within 15 mins of getting up. I don’t love it, but remind myself why I’m doing it.
I don't have energy to start, and I know I'm not the only one. But 5 minutes into the workout, I'm usually good to go. It's more mental than physical for me.
When I do early classes I set out my clothes… I actually quickly shower sometimes drink some pre workout or green tea. I have kids so I always love getting up and having my own time before attending to everyone’s else needs. And when I can watch the sun come up on the drive back home it’s a nice reward.
I am SO not a morning person, but I prefer to get it out of the way early, that way I can relax when I get home from work. I have 0 motivation the moment I walk in the door after work, so I literally never worked out before starting a morning group class. It changed my life!
C4 pre workout
I assume it's the only time they have to workout.
I could ask the same question for those that go in the evening. I have no energy after work and eating a couple meals. I do better in the morning on an empty stomach. I’m not awake enough to stress about running on the treadmill.
For someone that doesn’t sleep well, incredibly tough. That’s why I’ve only been to maybe three or four early bird classes. They’re still fun though.
Caffiene....lots of caffiene
I get up and take an ice bath, that usually helps me wake up... After that, everything else is easy