Going to the gym twice in one day?

emmylootwo

I just joined a gym a few nights ago. I'm so excited to start my new healthy lifestyle that I keep thinking about going tonight -- like right now. Problem is: already went today. Had a very nice cardio workout for 40 minutes!

But I really don't need to go again. I have a history of over-exercising. I honestly think I'm just bored right now and the gym is my new "plaything."

So, in order to combat this boredom, my questions are: have you ever been to the gym or exercised twice or more in one day and if so, why? Do you have any suggestions for fulfilling that need to be doing something "productive" when there's nothing to do?

lynn_glenmont

Not really something I do -- I would stay longer if I had more I wanted to do, but I wouldn't want to spend the travel time twice and have to get all sweaty and take a second shower.

I've got lots of suggestions for things to do:

You could research a lifting program, if you're not currently on one. You could research recipes, shop, and prep meals.

Or maybe it would be helpful to do something not directly related to your physical health, especially if the over-exercising history is related to letting the pursuit of physical health take over your life completely. So, you could also:

Clean your house. Start a new hobby or revisit an old one. Pick a subject you want to learn more about and order an e-book or find an online course. Balance your checking account. Get all your paperwork together for your income taxes. Visit, call, write, or email a friend, relative, or acquaintance you'd like to get to know better or someone you think might be lonely. If you're religious or spiritual, pray, read, or engage in whatever other practices might be part of your beliefs. If you're not, consider meditating or following a guided relaxation program (I'm sure you can find some on YouTube or an app).

RealWorldStrengthLLC

2 a days are fine provided the programming is proper. Don't just go and do random stuff, follow a program. A weightlifting program as one workout can be complimented with a cardio/conditioning workout as a second - and there can be some overlap. For instance, if you trained legs as the weightlifting workout, something like cycling would work well to compliment that.

TavistockToad

I usually do 2 a day once a week - on my WFH day I run at lunchtime and then do my strength training in the evening.

Given that you say you are prone to over exercising I would find something else to do if you're bored.

callsitlikeiseeit

nope.

plenty of people do, which is fine. but more than likely, its something they built UP to. You are in the honeymoon phased where its all new and shiny and pretty. that newness wears off, though you are quite likely to continue to enjoy it.

get into a sustainable routine. Keep at that several months. Then see if you want to add in an occasional, or even consistent 'second' workout.

going all 'gung ho' is how most people burn out and stop doing it altogether.

debrakgoogins

I will occassionally do a work out in the morning and go back for yoga in the evening. I would caution you from trying too much too soon though. You are excited to have a membership and enthusiastic about getting into the gym. That is fantastic. Too much too soon could result in injury. The last thing you want when you are excited about exercise is to be sidelined with an injury. Once you have gotten into a gym routine, you will know more what your body can handle then maybe you can incorporate two same-day workouts into your schedule.

tcunbeliever

I don't go to a gym, but I generally workout 3x/day, so there's certainly no reason to avoid working out if you are energetic and want to fit in a workout.

RelCanonical

callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »

nope.

plenty of people do, which is fine. but more than likely, its something they built UP to. You are in the honeymoon phased where its all new and shiny and pretty. that newness wears off, though you are quite likely to continue to enjoy it.

get into a sustainable routine. Keep at that several months. Then see if you want to add in an occasional, or even consistent 'second' workout.

going all 'gung ho' is how most people burn out and stop doing it altogether.

I'll agree with this, especially having read in posted in OP's thread about an appropriate calorie count. Don't get too ambitious, OP. Better to err on the side of less and see how you feel after a month. You'll run the risk of psyching yourself out if something doesn't go right and slip back into bad habits again.

kshama2001

Sure, I need to add about 500 exercise calories per day or I'm hungry, so I usually exercise twice in one day - once at lunchtime and once in the evening. (Or in the AM before work during gardening season.)

Speaking of gardening, it is not unusual for my mom to put in 8 hour days at the height of planting season.

kshama2001

emmylootwo wrote: »

I just joined a gym a few nights ago. I'm so excited to start my new healthy lifestyle that I keep thinking about going tonight -- like right now. Problem is: already went today. Had a very nice cardio workout for 40 minutes!

But I really don't need to go again. I have a history of over-exercising. I honestly think I'm just bored right now and the gym is my new "plaything."

So, in order to combat this boredom, my questions are: have you ever been to the gym or exercised twice or more in one day and if so, why? Do you have any suggestions for fulfilling that need to be doing something "productive" when there's nothing to do?

Isn't there cleaning to do?

mywayroche

Is today the first time you've been? I only say that because you seem awfully keen considering you only signed up "a few nights ago". Hasn't the DOMs kicked in? I guess possibly not if today or yesterday was the first session.

AnnPT77

have you ever been to the gym or exercised twice or more in one day and if so, why?

Sure. But I didn't do it when I was just starting to be active: That would've been a recipe for fatigue, burnout, and possibly even injury.

Nowadays, I'll go to rowing team practice when there happened to be spin class that morning; I sometimes weight train later in the day after rowing or spinning; sometimes a beautiful day needs a long bike ride or long walk with a friend even if I rowed that morning; and during the Concept 2 Holiday Challenge, I often need to do a rowing machine workout on a day when I've gone to spin class (when I need to do it right after spin class, it's still frankly pretty tiring, even though I've been doing this kind of stuff regularly for over a decade). For a while, I took a kettlebell class right after a spin class, too.

Repeating myself: I didn't do this when I was new to working out. Gradual ramp-up of exercise duration, frequency, and intensity is a better plan, when first getting started.

Do you have any suggestions for fulfilling that need to be doing something "productive" when there's nothing to do?

Nothing to do?!?

How about a new non-exercise hobby (needlework, sketching, jewelry-making, learn to play a musical instrument, etc.)? How about redecorating a room in your house? Read a book? Phone or write a friend you haven't seen in a while? Organize your sock drawer? Go window shopping to start planning your new wardrobe for when you reach goal? Do some food prep, maybe learn to make some new food to freeze? Write in your journal (or start one, if you don't journal already)? Buy or make birthday cards for friends/family who have birthdays in the next month or two? Go grocery shopping, buy a veggie you've never had before, let the Internet tell you how to cook it, and see if you like it? Read the "most helpful posts" sections in the MFP forums?

There are like a zillion possibilities!

ColtRocker

I work a 12 hour shift. So out of 14 days I will work 7 twelve hour shifts. On the days I work I go to the gym once sometimes. On the days I'm off I can go up to 3 times. I'll do my regular heavy lift with some cardio and leave. When I come back it's always for a HiiT or cycle class. Then finally I'll go again for volleyball or basketball. I'd say do what makes you happy. To a degree I honestly don't think you can overdo fitness, the human body is amazing and will condition itself.

nowine4me

Simple answer - if you’re bored, and looking for something to do, the gym is one of the better options (versus a bar, or munching in front of the TV). Use the sauna, foam roll, yoga, lift.

PumpJockeyy

nowine4me wrote: »

Simple answer - if you’re bored, and looking for something to do, the gym is one of the better options (versus a bar, or munching in front of the TV). Use the sauna, foam roll, yoga, lift.

Pretty bang on response.

bisonpitcher

I sometimes will go twice in one day and split up lifting and cardio.

GottaBurnEmAll

I often exercise twice a day (cardio and strength/conditioning), but it's something I've built up to over time.

Given your history, I'd recommend finding a new hobby that takes focus and is relaxing like adult coloring books, or knitting, or even just picking a topic you know nothing about and starting to research and read up on it. Haven't you always wanted to know all about the migratory habits and the life cycle of monarch butterflies or something?

HilTri

I do 2/days 5-6 day/week. I also coach spin on top of that. I can relate to you OP because yesterday was my day off and I wanted to go to the gym because I was bored. Instead, I cleaned, made a nice dinner that I don’t normally have time to prep and enjoy and I wrote holiday thank you cards. If you do 2/days make sure you do take your rest days, eat and hydrate to support it.