Working out after a night shift?

YcatsFursworth
YcatsFursworth Posts: 273 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
After I move next month walking home will take me right through a parking lot of my gym... No excuse not to stop in... but my question is it a good idea/healthy idea to work out after working a 10-12 hour night shift? Can't really on my way into work as I would be all sweaty to work all night....

I'm usally on an energy high right after work so I think I would be ABLE to... the last two hours of work are really busy so I'm wide awake normally. Will have another mile to walk home after the gym to cool down as well.

Advice? It would only be a couple times a week it happens as I dont' work many shifts since I work long shifts

Replies

  • Onaughmae
    Onaughmae Posts: 873 Member
    I do it. Doesnt usually affect my ability to fall asleep :smile:
  • WalterWallCarpet
    WalterWallCarpet Posts: 44
    I generally do. Night shift, a run/walk, shower and then bed. I sleep like a baby after that.
  • lacroyx
    lacroyx Posts: 5,754 Member
    I work nights. 8 hr shifts 11pm-7am. I always go to the gym right after work 4-5x a week. I love going in the mornings because it's rarely crowded. It's the late afternoons and evenings that suck. If you have the time and energy then go for it. I find I get to sleep better after exercising.
  • tami101
    tami101 Posts: 617 Member
    I work 10 hour overnight shifts and I sometimes do workouts right after work as long as I can get to it right away. If I have other things I have to do first, I get too sleepy. Since the gym is on your way home, this should not be a problem for you. You are also much younger than me and probably have more energy! Ha ha! I think you should be fine, it doesn't hurt me, but I am not a medical expert.
  • docktorfokse
    docktorfokse Posts: 473 Member
    If you feel like you can without negatively affecting your workout, then I say go for it.
  • rkr22401
    rkr22401 Posts: 216 Member
    I work 12 hr rotating day/night shifts. We have a well-equipped fitness center at work that doesn't cost a penny. I hit it after every night shift.

    I used to think I wouldn't have the energy for a post-shift workout. One day I had an appointment 2 hours after shift, so I worked out in the meantime. It was great and I haven't looked back since.

    I sleep like a baby when I get home.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    That's when I work out. It has tended to keep me up a little longer due to the endorphin rush, but that's the only real time I have to do it. It seems to work out just fine, though.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    I worked graveyard shift for over 20 years and working out after shift was my favorite time. I'd head straight to the gym at 5:00 am when I got off work and knock out my workout. Sure, there were days when I was tired and felt like crap, but I'd just tell myself that doing anything was better than doing nothing. Once I got there, I usually ended up having a good workout anyway.

    It worked out best for me because the gym was close to where I worked, but clear across town from where I lived. If I left it until I got up in the afternoon, I'd have to drive clear across town in traffic and fight crowds at the gym - so it was a lot more likely that I wouldn't do it. I pretty much had the gym to myself in the early mornings, except for a few hardcore/competitive bodybuilders who were in there for their first session of the day (and watching them lift provided a little extra inspiration). Several of my co-workers/lifting partners hated working out after shift and thought I was nuts for doing it, but it worked for me.

    As to whether it's a good/healthy idea - it's certainly better than not working out, if that's the alternative. I've always been an advocate of working out whenever it fits your schedule best and you're most likely to do it.
  • Missmissy0003
    Missmissy0003 Posts: 250 Member
    I work 7pm to 7am and I know a lot of people that do work out after their shift and they seem to do fine with it. I'm 42 and it just doesn't seem right to me personally - not that I've ever tried it. It just seems like it would be too much on me. I guess a light workout would be fine for me, but I prefer a nice long run. I have a high heart rate though and running after being up all night doesn't seem like a good idea to me because that would tend to make my heart rate higher than it already gets.

    I do love to exercise once I wake up though. I feel like it helps shock me back into reality after basically being passed out from working all night. That's one of my favorite times to exercise.

    But after reading all of these positive responses, I think I might just have to try working out right when I finish up my nightshift. I definitely don't think there would be any harm in a good walk (although my excuse for that is I've been walking all night already) or lifting some weights.
  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    im not a morning person i find it alot easier to work out before i go to bed and a lot less dangerous as im even more of a klutz than normal when i first wake up lol my boyfriend has been known to steer me away from running into a wall a time or two first thing in the morning
  • dave4d
    dave4d Posts: 1,155 Member
    I'm always more tired after a night shift, so I will usually workout before work. Years ago I was going after work on day shifts, but had a hard time sleeping after an intense cardio session. If your body can handle it, do it. We are all different.
  • Slimat30
    Slimat30 Posts: 142
    I've tried it once before but I felt so tired so only managed 30 mins lol! I prefer to work out when I get up :)
  • gabe_irun4coffee
    gabe_irun4coffee Posts: 230 Member
    I say if you feel good after your shift go for it! I've worked the night shift on and off for the past 18 yrs I usually workout in the fitness center on my lunch hour and do my runs in the morning (which is really afternoon ) when I wake up because I can't stand the "DreadMill!" :-)
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    I worked 7p-7a and always worked out after my shift. Was I tired? Yes, but guess what sometimes you just got to push through. I planned out my meals accordingly through the night to have ample energy. I lifted and did cardio for an hour or sometimes I would go home and run. It effects everyone differently, give it a try and see for yourself.
  • coffeebrown5
    coffeebrown5 Posts: 73 Member
    I Think you will be fine and b careful walking home.
  • nori_girl
    nori_girl Posts: 3
    I'm currently working 11pm - 7:30am and workout right after work, but the difference is, i go to school right after that and only sleep in the afternoon after 3pm when i get back from school. Is that okay. That is like the only time i can work out. any advise????
  • daimere
    daimere Posts: 31 Member
    I do it all the time. From get ups, I'm so amped and stressed that I can't sleep. This helps burn the energy. When we switch to full 12s, I think I'll have to change things to wake up at 3p to fit in exercise. Currently I only do 2 twelves and will try to fit in a 30 minute workout

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