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Do you find yourself struggling to find time during your busy day to get to the gym? Are you guilty of planning to get your sweat on after work, only to get stuck in the office instead, until it’s too late to make it to the gym on time? Or maybe you’re an early bird - so early, in fact, that most gyms haven’t even opened their doors when you’re looking to train.
The fact is, life gets busy. It’s chaotic, it’s unpredictable, and it’s full of endless opportunities to do things which bring you joy and happiness - but these don’t need to come at the expense of your workouts! If you’re struggling to juggle your work, family and other commitments, and want to be able to hit the gym without sacrificing the things you love, a 24/7 gym is the solution to all your problems.
For some, sunrise is the best time to smash out a workout. Not only does rising early and heading straight to the gym align with your natural cortisol levels, allowing you to optimise your performance by aligning with your body’s production of the stress hormone, it’s also ideal to exercise in line with your circadian rhythm. By waking up with the sun and getting your body moving straight away, you set yourself up for a more productive, efficient day ahead. Plus, you’re elevating your serotonin levels (your mood stabilising hormone) throughout the day ahead, offering significant benefits to both your physical and mental health.
You also don’t give yourself any opportunity to make excuses if you jump out of bed and throw on your gym clothes - so it can be really helpful if you find yourself making excuses throughout the day and missing your gym sessions! Even better, if you exercise in the morning, you’ve accomplished something before most people have even dragged themselves out of bed… It’s a pretty great feeling to have your workout over and done with before your work day begins - plus it removes the temptation of finding excuses or having other commitments come up throughout the day, so you’re much more likely to stick to your planned exercise schedule if you’re an early bird! Not to mention, gyms are quietest in the early hours of the morning - particularly before 6am. So take advantage of the peace, and get it done bright and early!
Naturally, a super early session isn’t for everyone… Night owls, don’t panic, there are plenty of alternative times for you to get your sweat on! If you can’t drag yourself out of bed before the day begins, rest assured you can still add an effective workout into your routine.
A lunchtime workout can be done at any time throughout your work day - whenever it’s convenient in between meetings and other commitments, use your break time wisely! There’s no need to stress about hitting the gym between the hours of midday and 1pm, any time is fine for a “lunch time” workout!
Using your lunch break to squeeze in a workout is a window of opportunity most people haven’t considered. Not only is it a great time to fit your exercise into your work schedule, it also means you’re not having to wake up early, or sacrifice your evening leisure time to spend in the gym. Plus, it helps avoid the procrastination which often comes alongside early morning or late night sessions - if your gym session is part of your workday routine, you’re far more likely to stick to your planned sessions, and you can even reduce commuting time by finding a Jetts club close to your office (or your home, if you’re a hybrid worker). That frees up extra time for more sets and reps… you’re welcome!
It’s convenient and easy to smash out a sweat session, and then return to your desk feeling refreshed, accomplished, and ready to tackle the afternoon ahead. It’s actually a really beneficial way of increasing your productivity too, helping you focus and concentrate for the remainder of the day.
Most of all, the convenience of using the time you’d otherwise be hanging around the office aimlessly to get your workout in is a real bonus - talk about time efficiency!
Though this may not be suitable for everyone - understandably, some jobs don’t offer “lunch breaks”, or the chaotic nature of daily demands can leave little mental or physical space for working out in the middle of the day. You might find your lunch break is too brief for your workout, or you feel too rushed trying to cram in a session during this time - and that’s okay! There are plenty of other options for ideal times to hit the gym instead.
Want some tips and tricks from Jetts’ expert personal trainers? Training in the evening is your best bet to access all their knowledge and pointers during your sessions! Whether you’re looking for some help with technique, some tips for maximising your results, or some inspo for new movements you could try, you’ll find most of our trainers hanging around, ready to offer words of wisdom in the evenings.
Plus, it’s a great opportunity to have some “you” time after a big or stressful day at work. There’s no better way to wind down and de-stress than by sweating it out, and getting those endorphins pumping!
However, evenings are the busiest time for Jetts members to hit their nearest club, so be prepared to share machines, equipment and space a little more than you would during other times of the day. But hey - the more the merrier, you might find yourself a workout buddy or accountability partner while you’re at it!
One of the quietest times at the gym, training late in the evenings lets you take advantage of popular machines and equipment, without waiting for others to finish up first. If you love your treadmill or dumbbell sessions, this could be the time for you!
Interestingly, research has shown that training at night often leads to improved performance during your sessions. This is due to the fact you tend to consume less oxygen in the evenings, your muscles tend to exhibit increased strength in the evening, and you’ve also got a day’s worth of fuel in your system to offer you more energy during your workout. It can even increase the energy you’re burning after a session for longer!
Not to mention, the impacts of a late-night workout on your mood are not to be underestimated. A sweat session at any time of day produces endorphins and “happy” hormones and neurotransmitters, which support your mood and leave you feeling calm, positive and less stressed. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a long day.
However, working out too late in the evening may disrupt your sleep. If your body is pumping with adrenaline and cortisol after a workout, and you jump into bed expecting to drift off, you’ll find it normally takes a little longer to fall asleep. This can also reduce the quality of your deep sleep throughout the night, so make sure you’re not working out too close to your bedtime - aim to finish your session at least 90 minutes before you head to bed. You’ll also find fewer personal trainers hanging around the club at this time of night, so if you’re looking for a helping hand perhaps try and get into the club a little earlier in the day.
For some, training at night can be difficult to sustain, and can compromise consistency of workouts. If working out isn’t something you love doing, it might be harder to find the motivation later in the evening - so maybe the morning is more suitable! But if you truly love working out, and the evenings work with your schedule, take advantage of the peace and quiet, and having the gym largely to yourself!
At the end of the day (pardon the pun), everyone’s personal needs and preferences are unique, and everyone’s body will respond differently to training at various points throughout the day. Follow your own instincts and body signals to figure out the best time for you to hit the gym - the main aim is to get there regularly and consistently, no matter what time suits you! Some of us are night owls, while others are early birds, so test out different options to discover what works best for you and your schedule. After all, the best time to workout is the time which offers you convenience and consistency!