Late Night Gym Workouts in the City and Safety?

Naja_

So I really enjoy working out in the morning (6 AM earliest 8AM latest). But I would also like to go late at night but I am scared of being out that late at night. I'm a 21 year old female and I don't want to get robbed or something idk.

I live in North Jersey if that helps.

Do any females (or men) gym at night in urban areas?
Any tips?

Naja_

I use Planet Fitness, btw.

Cherimoose

Wear a motorcycle jacket and camo pants - you'll be fine.

MadDogManor

I use PF as well, and on my nights off, I'll go to the gym at like 2:30 am. It's pretty well lit, and I don't mess around outside - straight from the car to the gym and vice versa. I'm south of DC, in So MD.

louubelle16

I don't know your area, but you don't want to let fear of something happening stop you from living your life. I live in London and it's just a fact of life that, at some point, I will be a victim of crime and I have been on a couple of occasions. The way I think of it, is that as long as I'm sensible, I will be fine - I make sure I keep valuable items out of sight (such as not using my phone), keep to well-lit streets and park as close as possible to where I'm going, using a well-lit car park with CCTV cameras if I can find one.

You could also try my grandma's advice, which is to sing/talk to yourself when you're walking alone. Everyone thinks you're crazy, and even criminals want to avoid crazy :') I've tried it, it's oddly empowering, actually!

BodyByBex

louubelle16 wrote: »

I don't know your area, but you don't want to let fear of something happening stop you from living your life. I live in London and it's just a fact of life that, at some point, I will be a victim of crime and I have been on a couple of occasions. The way I think of it, is that as long as I'm sensible, I will be fine - I make sure I keep valuable items out of sight (such as not using my phone), keep to well-lit streets and park as close as possible to where I'm going, using a well-lit car park with CCTV cameras if I can find one.

You could also try my grandma's advice, which is to sing/talk to yourself when you're walking alone. Everyone thinks you're crazy, and even criminals want to avoid crazy :') I've tried it, it's oddly empowering, actually!

This. I find it works GREAT if you sing in another language. I know some k-pop, j-pop, and some classic Italian, Latin, and French songs(Gosh I miss high school choir) and that helps IMMENSELY! People even look at you funny and cross the street!

sourpower434

louubelle16 wrote: »

You could also try my grandma's advice, which is to sing/talk to yourself when you're walking alone. Everyone thinks you're crazy, and even criminals want to avoid crazy :') I've tried it, it's oddly empowering, actually!

I LOVE this advice!

labohn91

Don't bring anything that is worth much. Avoid loan sharks, dating mob members, robing the don, I think you are overly worried.

jennifer_417

I used to do it all the time, but you had to have a personalized electronic key fob to get in, and there were cameras everywhere, so I felt reasonably safe.

JoRocka

Where specifically in North Jersey do you work out?

Quiet frankly there is no way I would be walking around Passaic at 2 in the morning no matter how badly I wanted to work out. There are some places you just shouldn't be going- it's safer to get up and go between 3 AM and 5 AM if you need "off peak hours"

I'm thinking you might be over thinking it- but there are some areas where it's just a bad idea to be at those hours.

Past that: Situational awareness is key, don't wear headphones so you can't hear anything- don't walk with your head down so you cant' see anything- don't carry anything that looks like a purse. walk confidently and with purpose- or if you can run to and from your gym- do that- people bother runners less than people out walking- not saying it can't/won't happen- but odds of them bothering you past heckling is more reduced.

Witchdoctor58

When I used to come home at 10 PM from school, and I was staying at my grandparent's place, I ran past the ill-lighted vacant lots in the Lower East Side of NYC, and also had a street legal knife in my hand. I never had to use it, but I certainly felt better having it. I also stayed in the middle of the street, away from anyone lurking on the sides, and was constantly vigilant for movement.

You could do that, or you could set up a small home gym and use DVDs.