Pre-shift workout/exercises

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Hello yall,

I am Tech in my hospitals' Emergency Department, soon-to-be RN. I've been working in the ED at nights (7p-7a) for almost a year now, with 2 years of Cardiac Tele under my belt. I am a young (21y.o.) male, with a fit physique, I work nights on the weekends (Fri-Sun) and ever since school has started back up, I haven't been able to workout like I typically do (although work in the ED keeps me halfway in shape). It seems like the my first shift every week (Fri), I come home with my both my legs aching like CRAZY!!! It seems like at the end of the shift my legs have no blood flowing and are just completely dry, I guess that best describes the aching feeling. I don't know what sickle-cell pain feels like, but if I had to guess, the pain I get is on point with so. I use great running/jogging shoes that give great support and are tightly fitting to my feet. And after the rest of my shifts of the weekend, my legs feel normal. I don't know if my legs are just getting a hefty workout that first shift, since I'm hardly able to workout anymore, and all the muscles in my legs are just tightening up and are reducing the blood flow to my legs? But what I'm coming here for is any thoughts on this, if any of yall have the same problems and what you do to resolve this issue. I've heard buying TED hose socks from say Walgreens or CVS (non-prescribed). But I believe just a pre-shift excercise would do some justice. If so, what kind of light workouts/exercises would you recommend (legs only)?

Thank you so much for taking time to read this.

"God is God, and God is good"

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Specializes in ICU.

21yo? Fit you say? I don't see doing exercises before your shift doing any good, what you need to do is go run some stairs on your lunch break! At that hour, they should be quiet and I guarantee that will open those blood vessels WIDE open! :yeah::anpom:

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

I wish I could get the motivation to work-out before work (0700-1930)...My gym opens at 0430 so I could easily go there on the way. I've tried to do it after a shift but there are too many days when I'm just too wiped out. So I resort to working out on my off days...70% cardio (running) and the rest strength training. I am a thin/fit guy but who wouldn't want to be fitter? Ted hose would be a no go for me because I think they would make me way too hot!

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My preshift "workout" involved rolling out of bed and dragging myself in to the shower. I get my upper body workout washing and drying my hair and that is it lol.

I think a mid-shift stair run sounds good and also maybe some good stretching after your shift, and then you can try a real workout on your off days?

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Haha! Thank you all for your responses! And Biffbradford, I will have to try that. I just need some idea to try, so thanks!

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Specializes in NVRN, ICU, Critical Care.

I would suggest Bikram Yoga! As well as strength training, conditioning, stretching, and oxygenating the muscle/body; a huge focus of Bikram Yoga is effectively circulating blood throughout the body, through tense and release poses. Be warned: Don't try this for the first couple times on a days that you work...

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Specializes in Holistic and Aesthetic Medicine.

The best compression socks I've found haven't been TEDs, they've been Therafirm Corespun. Good luck

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

i am 30 and run about 15 miles/week, but i have poor circulation. i wear ted hose on my clinical days(i'm a student) because my legs get achy by the 9th hour, and it makes a HUGE difference.

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My preshift "workout" involved rolling out of bed and dragging myself in to the shower. I get my upper body workout washing and drying my hair and that is it lol.

I think a mid-shift stair run sounds good and also maybe some good stretching after your shift, and then you can try a real workout on your off days?

That is too funny! Part of my work out also includes "running" to the cafeteria before they close! Oh, and "running" to the elevator door before it closes, so that I don't have to take the stairs down to the cafeteria!

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

I'm not sure about pre-shift, but I'm a 1900-0700 night shifter and I have taken to running in the morning after my shift. It's taken me some practice in eating properly throughout the night, but I've found that after a 30-min jog, shower, breakfast, and Benadryl, I'm sleeping SO much better during the day and having much more energy during my shifts. I wear compression stockings during shifts as well and prop my feet up every single chance I get (even if just for a few minutes).

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Maybe your legs hurt from walking on concrete at work all those hours!

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