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Original poster

What time do you exercise if you work FT and don't WFH?

80 replies

roamingcat · 10/03/2024 18:36

Hi all,

Bit of a silly question I know but I've always struggled to work out the best time of day to exercise around my job and to keep things consistent. I work FT (36 hours a week plus whatever I take for lunch) and don't WFH, my commute is about an hour each way. I'm really lucky that I have flexi-time so can start work anytime between 7-10am and can work less/more each day as I like as long as it evens out overall. However, I think the unexpected downside of this flexibility is I have always struggled to make an exercise routine stick as I don't have core hours to anchor it around.

My current routine is quite limited - I try and run 5k 1-3 times a week. I would like to add in some at home yoga videos for flexibility and have dumbells I could use to do some strength training. I've also been wondering if I should move to a compressed pattern - I could compress 10 days into 9 by only doing an extra 40 minutes a day and then could probably WFH on one or both of the other extra days (or take annual leave). The added complication is I also try and stick to intermittent fasting for health reasons, so eating before a run in the morning would require me to change this routine.

Looking from inspiration for you all - if you work full time and don't usually WFH and have a solid exercise routine what time of day do you exercise? What do you do on which days?

OP posts:
Pinkvici22 · 10/03/2024 18:50

I work full time - anywhere between 40-65 hours (sometimes more - run my own business), DH works away mon-Fri and I have a primary aged child.

Spin class Monday 6.20 before DH leaves, PT 2x evening (when DC is in clubs), 1-2 lunchtime workouts and early Saturday morning. Usually do 4-6 days PW. If I’m desperate and can’t manage a lunchtime class I do a YouTube workout in the evening.

Coolblur · 10/03/2024 18:48

I guess you mean full time Monday to Friday 9-5.
I work full-time shifts out of the home, so I exercise during school hours, or when DS is at his many activities.

SpringOfContentment · 10/03/2024 18:46

6am.
Then shower, breakfast, make lunch x 3 and out the door at 7.20.
Means its only every something quick, and I've needed to readjust to thinking must eat first. But I can stick to it.

My boss (with no kids) does 7pm-9pm most nights. But she is freaky fit - like 15-16mins for 5km.

Covetthee · 10/03/2024 18:45

Sorry hot post too soon

i don’t normally eat before a workout as its too early and I work out better on empty stomach. Then have a protein shake or protein over night oats when I get back

exercise wise, I think do 15 mins on treadmill for warm up and then strength training different parts every day, and then end of each session do 10 mins on stairmaster.

Covetthee · 10/03/2024 18:41

I wfh 2 days a week the rest i work in tbe office, I go first thing in the AM otherwise never get to it.

up at 4, in the gym by 4:30. Home by 6:15. Get ready ( get the kids and their stuff ready by 7:30 and then head off to work, husband does school drop off’s which helps)

i find this a great routine as I stick to it everyday, i generally go everyday, even weekends at this time as the routine is what keeps me motivated. I try to give myself a rest day or 2 but really feel sluggish if I don’t go.