Mondays set the tone for the week ahead, and beginning with the right workout can improve energy, increase focus, and create the right mindset for the day. Here are three challenging and practical workouts to make the most of your Monday mornings, bringing more productivity and positivity to your week.
1. Full-Body HIIT for Energy
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is the perfect workout to energize your Monday. Short bursts of high exertion, followed by short rest periods, make HIIT an effective and efficient use of time. You could do 30 seconds of jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, and burpees, taking 15 seconds of rest in between each exercise, and repeat that for 15 minutes. HIIT burns a ton of calories, improves your cardiovascular function, and gives you a sense of accomplishment before your day even begins!
2. Strength Training for Focus
If you need discipline and sharp mental acuity, then strength training can be a terrific option on Monday. Compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, or, if you didn’t have access to the gym, bodyweight movements (lunges, planks, or dips) utilise multiple joints and muscle groups to produce a greater overall salvaged time on delicious Monday mornings. Not only will a quality 30–40 minute strength workout increase your metabolism for the day, but it will also help develop a mental attitude of persistence; a key factor for overcoming hard things at work or school on a Monday!
3. Yoga and Stretching for Balance
Not all Mondays are meant to be high intensity. At times, your body and mind require calm to recalibrate. A 20-minute yoga session consisting of the downward dog, child’s pose, warrior stretch, and breathing can help relieve stress, improve flexibility, and build mindfulness in your practice. This low intensity, subtle yet active yoga routine can start your week off with clarity and centeredness.
Final Thought
Whether it be the thrill of HIIT workouts, the focus of lifting weights, or the calmness and peace that comes from yoga. Monday mornings can influence your mood and productivity for the week ahead with just on short workout. Do what’s best for your body and start making Mondays less intimidating and more fun!
