Night Shift and workouts?

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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!

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I used to meet my husband at the gym after my shift and before he headed in for work. For some people that can cause difficulty sleeping, for me it knocked me out. Your mileage may vary.

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Specializes in NICU.

Before work. When I get off work at 7 am, I am too tired to workout. On my days off I have been known to go to the gym at 2am (24 hr gym).

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I work 12-hour night shifts, from 6:00pm to 6:30am. I visit the gym for a cardio workout almost immediately after my shift ends, typically at 7:00am.

After exercising at the gym for 45 minutes to one hour, I drive home, take a shower, sip on some chamomile tea to relax, and fall asleep.

On my days off I exercise at any time I can conveniently fit into my schedule.

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I used to work out in the middle of the night on my nights off. I had no energy whatsoever to exercise either before or after work.

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I always worked out before my shift started. I started doing insanity so I would wake up at 4 or 5pm , workout for about an hour get ready for work and be there from 7pm to 7am. By the time I got home I was EXHAUSTED.

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I always work out before my shift starts (11-7). I just can't do it after work. I'm one of those third shifters who goes right home and goes to bed.

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xtclass08- didn't you ever get tired during the shift after doing something so grueling? I feel like I would totally be dragging BUTT by like 3am if I had done something like insanity before I worked!

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Only if I didn't get enough sleep. Sometimes if I woke up early worked out and went to work. I would be exhausted and then when I came home to go to sleep the next morning my muscles would be extremely sore. Also, if you workout before work make sure you drink plenty of water/fluids during you shift. Otherwise you are asking for a crap load of muscle aches, pains, and cramps. I know nurses (especially in busy hospitals) have a hard time staying hydrated and what not.

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Specializes in Antepartum, Intrapartum L&D, Postpartum.

When I worked 7p-7a, I would go run/exercise immediately after, go home shower and hit the sack. However, my metabolism was greatly affected anyway due to being awake during the hours we would normally produce melatonin. It was a lot easier to maintain my weight on day shift. I liked night shift, but my body didn't.

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I work 12 hour days, 20 miles away from home. My work days are consumed by work, there is really no "me-time", so I work out on my days off only.

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I work 7p to 7a. I work out on days off only. Of course, I occasionally miss days becauseI am so tired from work. I never work out before work, have gone to the gym rarely after work when I do not have to work again that night but I am usually so tired I want to go home and sleep

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