When do you do your exercise and how frequent?

[notanotheraibu]

I'm just trying to get into exercise. I need to crest a habit and routine rather than just expect the exercise will happen.


When do you get your workout in? Morning, lunchtime, evening, weekend!

How many times do you workout and what kind of fitness do you do?

I'm thinking 3-4 times per week, couple if runs, a walk and something strength related.

[chutneypig]

Mornings work best for me - it’s increasingly unlikely I’ll bother by lunch and very unlikely later in the day. I usually do a few gym classes in the week, bodybalance, bodycombat and spin typically.

I also run and I’ve been inconsistent with that, so I’m working on fitting those in, usually a longer run on Sundays and I’m aiming for 3 runs a week. Only thing hampering me right now is my son wants to come with me and he’s not up yet.

I’m doing daily strength challenges at the moment, so 5 minutes a day for 14 days with different exercises each day. They’re easy to fit in and seem very effective.

You’re absolutely right about the habit side and I’m guessing from the time you’re posting you’re a morning person too! I’d also start small and build from there, that’s how I set off, worked out what suited me.

[GeneLovesJezebel]

I do a class twice a week. DH and the kids know I’m going, so there’s no complaints from there. And I know from the past that if I don’t feel like going, I know I’ll be glad I did after.
Id say routine is the key.

[Lottapianos]

Morning here too. Gym 3 times a week, two weekdays plus Sunday, and one home workout - all weights. 2-3 yoga classes (online with Adriene usually), can fit those in after work usually. One long walk at the weekend (20,000 - 25,000 steps) and a couple of shorter ones in the week

[Amdone123]

Morning person here, too !
I do zumba / dance classes 3 mornings a week. I wouldn't say I force myself as I do look forward to it, but it's really important for me to have developed the habit, so now it's just something I do.
I walk everyday, at least 1 hour, sometimes 2.
I think 3 times a week is best for me ; I can't put too much pressure on myself. So, any other classes is a bonus. Last Monday evening for example, I was bored so walked to a new zumba class(15,000 steps plus class, so I felt great ), and sometimes on a Thursday evening, I'll jump up and go and do a body combat and a zumba.
Set yourself a small, realistic target and build on that.

[Patchbatch]

I am definitely a morning person too (although mainly just as it works for me- I wake up every morning around 5 without fail it's bloody annoying!). I find it sets me up for the day and feels good when showered after etc to know it's done. I mainly run tbh and then do some strength exercises at home- 3 x a week for runs, 2 x strength and then 2 x rest days (although try and walk a lot those days). Not summer is creeping here planning on doing some hikes- I guess key is finding when works best for you and what you enjoy doing. Some of my friends prefer team style stuff so have joined local sports clubs, others go to the gym and classes after work.

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I used to run in the mornings for alone time and headspace - so then I could shower and then be ready for the day. I was a SAHM then though.

Now I like to go to small group training, it’s usually in the evening because I don’t work evenings and my rota can be varied.

I find that having paid, committed to a time is motivation. I also like spending time with like minded people in the gym.

[Patchbatch]

to have developed the habit, so now it's just something I do.

This makes it easier too, once you've done it for a while and been disciplined about it, it really does just become routine and less of a big deal.

[fellrunner85]

Another runner here. I do something active every day. A usual pattern would be:

Run 4-5x a week. Usually early mornings before the rest of the house is up, but sometimes lunchtimes. Then long run on either a Saturday or Sunday morning.

Yoga class in an evening once a week.

Caroline Girvan or similar, in a morning, on the days I don't run.

Long walk with the kids x2 a week.

Spin class instead of running if I'm injured.

I try and go to the gym as well, for weights, but don't go as often as I should!

[LactoseTheIntolerant]

Pretty much daily always in the morning either running or crossfit.

[supertedious]

I find morning is better. Once ive done the school run and before work starts. If not I will go on a run on my lunch break.
I'm trying 3/4 days cardio running,spinning or body combat and then 2/3days of strength body pump and min of 10K steps a day.

[Coughee]

I run 3 or 4 times a week and do 2 bodypump classes a week. At the moment I do them all in the early evening after work. That may change as it gets warmer though as I really struggle in any kind of heat. I think finding something you enjoy and creating a habit are key!

[TheAverageUser]

I have to do mornings otherwise it won't happen.

I tend to do CrossFit 2 times a week, gym/ weights 2 times a week and 1-2 hikes/ walks of around 10km. I use the walks because I love them but also calorie wise they're great.

[WhatwouldRuthdo]

Mainly mornings but sometimes around 6pm once the kids have had dinner. Still mainly working from home which gives me the time I’d usually spend commuting. I do 5 days a week and a mix of cardio HIIT and strength work.

[TheGlitterati]

Mornings or I get too lazy. Trouble is I want to do everything in the mornings, including housework, meet ups etc!

I do walking and Pilates, I want to include strength training too. I have a gym in my back garden but I don’t use it, truth is I hate exercise and find it so boring but I need to force myself. Like you I want to create a habit out of it.

[FlowerArranger]

Mornings, definitely, usually 5 times a week. One hour workouts stitched together from various YouTube trainers, while I listen to the previous day's Woman's Hour.

I particularly like Growingannanas (HIIT with or without weights, including lots of tabata), Caroline Girvan (heavy weights stuff - mostly not for beginners...) and Rebecca Louise (much shorter but fun and effective). Plus a daily 3-minute plank courtesy of Bowflex.

[Crazzzycat]

I do a range of different things and have a schedule for what happens when. When I started, I found that to be the best way to actually make sure I exercise, as there wasn’t much thinking required.

My schedule looks like this:

Day 1: walk (lunchtime), long cross-trainer session (after work)
Day 2: short rowing session (lunchtime), cycling (after work)
Day 3: walk (lunchtime), long rowing session (after work)

That’s my basic schedule. I either repeat the above for the next 3 days and then have a break, or have a day off on day 4, depending on how I feel. I often add to it as well, as I have some MH issues and use exercise to help manage that. So if I have a not so good day, I may do some more rowing or add an extra walk. If I did this just for my physical health, I don’t think I’d be doing this much.

[Badgerforbreakfast]

I have just started exercising and I have found that classes booked and paid for in advance have been key for me! Once my name is down for that class I'm not going to swerve it.

Had some success in early lockdown with YouTube videos and the daily walk but I just can't seem to get back into that habit.

I prefer going somewhere to exercise anyway I think but hopefully soon I can add in a YouTube workout on the days I don't have a class.

[Stellaris22]

Mornings. I do the school run and head to the gym 4 days a week for strength training. I do PT sessions so having those booked helps. It's part of my daily routine now and I purposefully chose the gym that means I can do that.

[KnottyKnitting]

I do around 30 mins on an exercise bike 5 or 6 times a week in the mornings and while on there do a 15 min upper body workout with small weights. I also swim twice a week for around 45 mins- usually during the lunchtime session at a local pool.

I find mornings best for me as I tend to get very hot and sweaty so hop in the shower after and know it's done!

[Chesneyhawkes1]

I prefer to exercise about 11am. Because I work rotating shifts I end up fitting it around work. So sometimes 8am. Sometimes 9pm and everything in between.

I tend to do my longer runs on my day off earlier. And then weights in the evening.

Run 6 days a week. Day off or easy spin on the bike the other day. One strength session a week. Needs to be 2 or 3 ideally but fitting it all in is tough.

[Chely]

Dedicated exercise time is weightlifting 3 times a week.
Day 1 heavy squats, rows, bench. Day 2 all I do heavy days but lighter weight and paused reps. Day 3 heavy deadlifts, military press, tricep extensions, front & lateral raises. Mostly morning to early afternoon sessions, always fasted.
Other general household running around and we have a dog that needs walking too. Need to start using my static bike at some point, dug it out last week by not been on it yet. I dropped my paused reps day when I was pregnant and reduced weight as I got bigger but was still going until 35+2wk and back in 10wk pp.

[Chely]

Preferred dats are Mon, Wed, Fri for me. If my birthdays or Christmas fall on a gym day, that is where you will find me.

[Chely]

Days not dats,

[Lyricallie]

Evenings work best for me, but I don't have any kids and finish work at 4:15. I like to go to a class at 5pm and then that's me done for the night and can chill. I have also started going to a Sunday morning class before mass. I usually go Mon, Tue, Thurs, Friday, Sunday with yoga on a Saturday. Although I'm all out of whack with Easter and going on holiday soon.

[HermioneWeasley]

I do it first thing or it doesn’t happen.

I do body pump (strength training) a couple of times a week plus elliptical training for cardio and core.