Night Shift and workouts?

Published

For night shifters:

I am transitioning to the 7p-7a shift in a couple weeks and I'm trying to figure out when I'll be able to work out! While working 3 12's a week, do you work out just on your off days (4 days a week)? Or do you work out as well on the days you work? Do you work out before or after your shift?

Thanks in advance!

I'm active duty military and I work 6p-6a. I usually get up and go run before I go to work - it helps shake off that weird feeling you get sometimes from sleeping in the middle of the day, and then I don't feel bad if I don't run on my days off. It makes my days off MINE and my work days THE AIR FORCE'S in my head.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.

I work out on my days off and the day of my first shift before I go in. I go in the morning after I get all my kids to school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

I get up earlier and exercise for 30 min at least twice a week before work. On my days off....whenever I have the energy. If I worked out after my night shift, I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I work out on my off days. I don't have the energy to work out before going to work or after getting off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't figured this out yet. I'm considering running the stairs and doing calisthenics during my lunch hour.

We have a locker room with shower very near the department.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab, Med-surg, Neuroscience.

When I worked that shift I joined a 24 hour gym and would work in the early morning hours, like between 1am and 4am. It worked pretty well for me, and I still work out at the same gym even though now I'm on the day shift.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in obstetrics, forensics, women's health.

I do Jillian Micheal's workouts when I wake up before work (if I'm not too tired) and on my days off. I like the 30 day Shred and Ripped in 30 workouts because they're only 25-30min and I can do them at home. I really wish we had a 24hr gym in town..but we don't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Health.

I just got off nights doing 4 nights on then 3 off. It was really hard for me to get any exercise outside of work, so I bought a pedometer and aimed for 10,000 steps a day. I worked 12 hour shifts by the way.

When I did 7 nights in a row I would go to the gym right after work 4 times in the week I worked and 4-5 times in the week I didn't work. Again, I did 12 hour shifts. It was easier in some ways than the 4 on because I didn't switch my body clock as often.

Now I'll be working days...and at the 5 mornings a week.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for the insight! I appreciate it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion