Michelle Obama's Early Start
Wake before the house, train before sunrise, then breakfast together with the family.
4 time blocks, 85 minutes in total.
Time blocks
- Wake before the house: 5 min
Up before anyone else needs you - Workout before sunrise: 45 min
Train first so the day cannot take it from you - Shower & get ready: 20 min
Wash, dress and be ready to leave - Breakfast with the family: 15 min
Eat together and talk before everyone scatters
About this routine
Michelle Obama morning routine is built around one decision: train before the rest of the house needs you. She has spoken often about moving her workout to the early morning so nothing later in the day could take it. This version runs 85 minutes.
It starts with 5 minutes of being up before anyone else, then the main block, 45 minutes of exercise before sunrise. She has described early starts around 4:30am with a trainer during the campaign years, and the point she keeps returning to is that putting yourself first on the schedule is not selfish.
After training there are 20 minutes to shower and get ready, then 15 minutes of breakfast with the family before everyone scatters. That last block is the reason the earlier ones start so early. A routine timer stops the getting ready part quietly eating the breakfast.
Why this routine works
- Puts exercise where the day cannot take it away
- Gives the workout a real 45 minute block
- Leaves time to get ready without rushing
- Protects breakfast with the family
FAQ
What time does Michelle Obama wake up?
She has described early starts around 4:30am during the campaign years so she could train before the rest of the family was up.
What is Michelle Obama's morning routine?
Wake before the house, work out early, shower and get ready, then eat breakfast with the family. This version takes 85 minutes.
Why does she work out first thing?
She has said that if exercise is not done early the day fills up and takes it. Doing it first is how it survives.