Lunchtime workouts

[Mrs.flang]

Anyone want to share their best tips for squeezing in workouts at lunch?

I've done it before pretty successfully, but I just signed up again at my office's gym after a long hiatus from all exercise, and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the idea of getting my gym bag packed every day with all the other stuff I need.  (I'm recently back at work from mat leave and getting 2 kiddos ready in the morning solo, and bringing my pumping stuff to work).

I plan on running 2-3x a week and taking a boot camp type class 2x/week.  I'll need to shower but I won't wet my hair.  I think I may need to get a separate makeup bag to keep in my gym bag.  Any other good time savers?

[shauni27]

pack your bag the night before. I don't workout at lunch because I am the sweatiest human alive and it takes me like an hour to cool down and shower, etc, but I workout after work before heading home. If I do not have my bag packed the night before then forget about it.

Also, when I was PG and would swim before work as my workout, I would keep a rotation of towels, makeup and hair products that I use (on top of an antiperspirant, perfume, etc) in my gym bag.

If you do not need to wash your hair after a workout (cannot comprehend--after even 20 minutes I look like I dunked my head in water, lol) you might want to bring a dry shampoo.

[breezy8407]

I try to pack my bag the night before, but often gather my clothes in the morning depending on my plan for the day and shoes depending on if I am going to cycle class, running, or lifting.

I leave my bag packed with a separate makeup bag, hairspray, dry shampoo, deodorant, lotion, shower sandals, etc.

My gym has towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, so its really easy. I don't wash my hair, but will use a blow dryer and dry shampoo if I am not putting it up. Having a second set of makeup and toiletries helps a lot.

[Mrs.flang]

Mar 18, 2019 10:01:49 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

If you do not need to wash your hair after a workout (cannot comprehend--after even 20 minutes I look like I dunked my head in water, lol) you might want to bring a dry shampoo.

Oh definitely will be using a dry shampoo.  And I have a travel hair dryer I use to blow dry the sweat out lol!

[scm1011]

I leave a pair of sneakers under my desk, since they're the bulkiest part of my workout gear and I strive to only commute with my backpack (My RT commute involves ~3 miles of walking + a subway ride).

I am not super sweaty, so I can get away with not washing off/reapplying my makeup (I wear minimal to begin with). That might be gross, but its a time saver. My showers are quick too, probably 3 minutes max. The aim is more "not sweaty" than "clean".

I also go slightly ahead of peak lunch hour (11:30) so I'm not waiting around for machines and/or showers.

[mrshandy]

Leave as much at work as possible! The only thing that goes back and forth for me is my gym clothes. I leave my gym stuff in a locker, which works out nicely. But not everyone has that option.

I don't reapply makeup at lunch time. I actually don't even shower most of the time. LOL. Just baby wipes and fresh deodorant. But that may not be for everyone. My hair usually goes into a ponytail for the rest of the day.

I always pack my gym bag the night before so it's sitting right by the door. Once you do it a bunch it can go very quickly. Also, try to pick clothes that are easy to get in and out of.

[shauni27]

I AM SO IMPRESSED AND VERY JEALOUS of all of you that do not need to shower or wash your hair after a workout.

My friends tease me--after a long, or particularly hot, run, I SQUEEZE THE SWEAT OUT OF MY PONYTAIL. It is so, so gross. I have been asked after numerous WINTER races if I dumped water on my head after, because even when it is in the 20s I am DRENCHED after about 15 minutes of effort.

[Wines Not Whines]

I agree with mrshandy. I keep as much at work as possible. I have a bag at work with my towel, shampoo, soap, makeup, etc. I also have a pair of sneakers I leave at work. The only things I take back and forth are gym clothes, and I try to keep a backup outfit in my office in case I forget to bring something in. I also keep backup undergarments and a work outfit (pants and a shirt) at work. It’s much easier to leave everything there instead of lugging it back and forth. It means I have two of everything, but they’re all consumable items (except for the towel), so I’d go through them and need to replace them anyway.

I get very sweaty, so I try to do less sweaty forms of exercise at lunch: weights, yoga, etc. And I try to position myself under a fan.