Is it permissible to exercise before the Shacharit prayer?

Greetings,

It is preferable to postpone exercising until after the Shacharit prayer; however, if it is not possible, leniency may be exercised in this matter, as it involves a bit of a mitzvah, especially if it helps you pray with more intention. It is also a good idea to recite the birkat hashachar (morning blessings) beforehand.

Sources: See Responsa Divrei Chachamim (Part 1, Question 2), which states in the name of Rabbi Yisrael Moshe Alashiv, zt'l, that it is permissible to exercise before prayer, as anything that involves a bit of a mitzvah is allowed before prayer. In the book Tefilah Kehilchatah (Chapter 6, Section 23 and the note there), it is brought in the name of Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg, zt'l, that it is permitted to engage in physical activity before prayer if the intention is to strengthen one's service of Hashem and if one has no opportunity to do so after prayer. Likewise, see the Responsa Rvavot Ephraim, Part 5 (Section 39), which cites Responsa Aseh Lecha Rav, Part 4 (Section 26), which permitted running before prayer for the sake of bodily health if doing so after prayer would be very difficult, provided that one first recites the birkat hashachar and some verses of Tehillim (Psalms).

Blessings,

Hillel Meirs