Help--incorporating the gym at work, w/Cathe

[Govtgirl]

Hey, I'm looking for some advice... I have been terrible at working out at home lately, and have decided to take advantage of the gym I have at work. I can go during lunch, and stay a bit late to make up for the time. I've realized that during the week this may be the only realistic way to get exercise in, and I can use Cathe on the weekends.

So, what are your tricks for getting in and out quickly, and doing this as efficiently as possible? Do you shower there, or do a quick "sponge-bath" thing and shower at home? Do you need to wear a new set of workout clothes every day, or is airing them out in-between working for you? I figured on keeping a duplicate set of makeup, hair dryer, etc.... As far as the workout, I figured I could do 40 minutes a day, alternating 20 min of weights with 20 cardio.

I'd love any tips and tricks you might have, with getting in and out quickly, to efficient workouts, to how you incorporate Cathe. Thanks!

 

[Gayle]

I use the gym at work a lot, but the only way I found that I could get a really good workout in, without taking too much time out of the middle of my day, was to go at the end of the day. So I wouldn't need to worry about the shower/change etc.

I sweat a LOT! So, I would end up needing more than 90 minutes to do everything.

Do you have the option of taking a short lunch and cutting the day short to hit the gym?

 

[carres1973]

I used to workout at the gym at work when I was in the military. If I had time, I would do a shower. However, most of the time, I didn't have time and did a thorough "sponge bath." I bought baby wipes to use for the whole body.

For either airing out clothes or having to have a new set, it depends on how much you sweat while working out. I can usually get away with airing out my shirt and pants and get two workouts in with the same outfit. However, I wear loose clothing. I think if you wear tight clothes, they might need to be changed every day.

Definitely pack your bag the night before if you decide to change clothes every day. I find that getting everything ready the night before helps in the morning.

Depending on how many days/week you do the circuit workouts or mixed cardio and weights depends on how you can incorporate Cathe. Maybe do an iMax on the weekend to get in some interval training and a kickbox workout? Or if you are open in the schedule for a circuit workout, throw in a BM2 or LIC.

Enjoy, whatever you choose!

Carrie

 

[upnorthchick]

Take Cathe's Pyramid workout to the gym!

When I had virtually no dumbells at home, I would go to the gym and do the Pyramid Upper Body (and sometimes lower body). At first I had to keep the exercises written on a piece of paper but then after a few times I had memorized it. It worked really well. Sometimes I would set up a high step or bench step with a few risers and incorporate PLB during PUB too.

To fit in 20 minutes of cardio, you can still do PUB just pyramid up only

As far as changing, showering, etc. It really depended on how I felt. If I went in, did just PUB and was done in like 40 minutes, I usually just freshened up my hair with a blow dryer and touched up my make up. If it was really bad (think spin class) I would drive home and shower if I had time or I'd shower there. I had relatively few workout clothes at that time too so I would either "freshen" them up in the dryer if they weren't too bad. Sometimes my shorts or pants were fine and just the shirts needed a complete washing.

For me it all came down to planning ahead. I'd have my gym bag all packed with stuff that I would or might need-shampoo, towel, blow dryer, socks, etc. always in my bag and remember to put it in my car.

Hope this helps!!

Lisa

 

[Vee]

I did the lunch time workout at the gym routine for a long time. I did it thrice a week and allowed myself to not go on Tuesday and Thursday if work loads got too high.

I need a shower after a workout. Sponging wont do. But I dont take more than 3 minutes. I can shower and get dressed in ten minutes, but then I dont use much makeup. I would let my hair air dry while I ate a quick lunch after the workout. My gym routine was 5 minutes to change into workout clothes, 45 to 55 minutes to workout and ten minutes to shower/dress and head out. I would be done in 70 minutes. I did not waste any time chatting - all I managed was a smile for everyone.

I was in the best shape of my life during this time even though I rarely managed more than 3 workouts during weekdays and 1 (2 hour) workout during the weekend.

I wash gym clothes after every use because I sweat a lot.

Working out after work does not work for me. I just dont have the motivation. I can do early morning (with difficulty) though lunch-time is my best option to be consistent.

I agree about planning ahead. I pack my gym bag at night before going to bed after I lay out my work clothes for the next day. My gym bag always has extra underwear and a pair of socks in case I forget to pack.

 

[Lynn M.]

Could you do your cardio at home in the early AM? Then at work, just do your lifting?
That is my favorite way to workout and even though I sweat buckets doing cardio, I don't sweat that much doing weights.. esp. if its just upper body. I love splitting it up that way, I've recovered enough from the cardio that I did several hours ago to really give it all for my weights.

Lynn M.