From sunrise yoga on Dublin’s coast to 6am CrossFit Kildare, morning fitness classes are surging in popularity, reshaping daily routines and building unexpected communities along the way.

In Dún Laoghaire, more than 70 people gathered before dawn at the seaside baths for the “Show Up Dublin” sunrise yoga session. Lead instructor Shane Lennon said attendance has soared this year, with nearly 300 people taking part in recent weeks despite challenging weather. “Some people are just here for the sunrise photo and that’s fine,” he said. “But there’s also a whole community of people who keep coming back every week.”

The trend extends beyond yoga. Jack Fitzgerald, head coach at Primal Fitness in Naas, said early CrossFit classes that once struggled to attract participants are now consistently full. “Pre-Covid, mornings were quiet, but now you’re never getting the morning off,” he explained. Practicality, he believes, is key: “By evening, people are tied up with work, kids or traffic. Early mornings just make more sense.”

National data supports the shift. According to the Sport Ireland Irish Sports Monitor, only 49% of adults engaged in regular sport in 2024. The HSE continues to promote its “Every Move Counts” campaign, urging at least two and a half hours of weekly exercise. Morning classes, with their growing popularity, may be helping to close that gap.

Experts say the rise is not only about convenience. Professor Michael Molloy, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, suggested health concerns and the social element play a role. “These classes create a community,” he said. “If someone doesn’t turn up, people notice and check in. That sense of belonging is powerful.”

For participants, the benefits are both physical and personal. Regulars like Miriam describe early movement as transformative. “Win the morning, win the day.” Others, like Maurice and Stacey, stay for the friendships formed. “It’s like going to the airport at 4am,” Stacey said. “You don’t mind because you know something good is waiting.”