Working out in your lunch break

With lengthy commutes, demanding desk jobs and a busy social calendar, finding time to exercise can be hard. So theoretically, working out in your lunch break is a brilliant idea. In practice though, most of us are put off: we don’t feel we really have time to do a meaningful gym session, shower, eat and get back to our desks. But this needn’t be the case.

Schedule your workouts

Setting a plan will help you commit to your training and increase the chances of you going. To show real commitment, write your schedule down and put reminders in your phone. It also helps if you plan to workout with a colleague.

Pack your training kit the night before

“When you get up in the morning, you just pick up your gym bag and you’re out the door,” says Michael Betts, CEO of TRAINFITNESS. “It’ll save you time and reduce the chance of you not bothering, especially if you’re running late.”

Pack your lunch

Bringing a packed lunch means you don’t have to waste time in that precious hour going out to buy food. You’ll also be less likely to choose something unhealthy to “reward” yourself for working out.

Go to a gym close to work

If you have to take public transport, you run the risk of less workout time due to traffic or transportation delays. A club that’s in walking distance is ideal, and the walking can become your warm-up too.

Bodyweight workouts mean no waiting

Lunchtimes are quite busy at most clubs, so getting onto equipment can be difficult. If you workout using just your bodyweight, there’ll be no waiting around. All you need is a small amount of space and a mat.

A 30-minute workout is ideal

“In a 30-minute workout, you’ll do all the different types of training you need in one short session,” says Betts. It also means you have time to get to the gym, change, workout, shower, grab a bite to eat and get back to work.

Work out before eating

By exercising without too much food in your stomach, you’ll increase your metabolism of body fat, adds Betts. “Skipping lunch will mean your body has to get the energy from somewhere and therefore, it will start to burn that body fat you’ve been trying to get rid of. Remember, when you break your fast, just eat normally and don’t see your fast as a reason to eat more; that would defeat the purpose.”

And just like that, your workout’s done and you haven’t had to get up early or sacrifice your social life in the evenings. If you get into the habit of exercising at lunchtime, it will just become a normal part of your day, you’ll be more focused at work in the afternoon after having a decent break, you’ll have more energy, and you’ll probably never go back to eating at the desk.

Working out in your lunch break

With lengthy commutes, demanding desk jobs and a busy social calendar, finding time to exercise can be hard. So theoretically, working out in your lunch break is a brilliant idea. In practice though, most of us are put off: we dont feel we really have time to do a meaningful gym session, shower, eat and get back to our desks. But this neednt be the case. Schedule your workouts Setting a plan will help you commit to your training and increase the chances of you going. To show real commitment, write your schedule down and put reminders in your phone. It also helps if you plan to workout with a colleague. Pack your training kit the night before When you get up in the morning, you just pick up your gym bag and youre out the door, says Michael Betts, CEO of TRAINFITNESS. Itll save you time and reduce the chance of you not bothering, especially if youre running late. Pack your lunch Bringing a packed lunch means you dont have to waste time in that precious hour going out to buy food. Youll also be less likely to choose something unhealthy to reward yourself for working out. Go to a gym close to work If you have to take public transport, you run the risk of less workout time due to traffic or transportation delays. A club thats in walking distance is ideal, and the walking can become your warm-up too. Bodyweight workouts mean no waiting Lunchtimes are quite busy at most clubs, so getting onto equipment can be difficult. If you workout using just your bodyweight, therell be no waiting around. All you need is a small amount of space and a mat. A 30-minute workout is ideal In a 30-minute workout, youll do all the different types of training you need in one short session, says Betts. It also means you have time to get to the gym, change, workout, shower, grab a bite to eat and get back to work. Work out before eating By exercising without too much food in your stomach, youll increase your metabolism of body fat, adds Betts. Skipping lunch will mean your body has to get the energy from somewhere and therefore, it will start to burn that body fat youve been trying to get rid of. Remember, when you break your fast, just eat normally and dont see your fast as a reason to eat more; that would defeat the purpose. And just like that, your workouts done and you havent had to get up early or sacrifice your social life in the evenings. If you get into the habit of exercising at lunchtime, it will just become a normal part of your day, youll be more focused at work in the afternoon after having a decent break, youll have more energy, and youll probably never go back to eating at the desk.