Bus/mass transit commuters: what is your workout routine?

fathenry

Hello! I recently started commuting to a new job on mass transit and it has thrown off my workout routine! I'd love to know what is working for other commuters. I have access to a gym across the street from my office. The extra step of hauling my workout clothes, along with laptop, purse, coffee and lunch on the bus in the morning has been a hurdle. My other alternative is to drive to a gym once I get home from my lengthy commute in the evening. I would love your ideas for fitting this in somehow. Thanks so much. I can't believe what a difference a few months of slacking off has made, and I'm eager to get it figured out!

9 years ago

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9 replies

Latest reply was from fathenry

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I live next to a gym at home, so it's not an issue for me.

Is there a place to keep your runners and a gym bag at work? It shouldn't be too much extra bulk to take your gym clothes vs. taking runners and water bottles and things; I find runners to be the most bulky.

9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Alternately, can you get a locker at the gym? You would probably have to stock a few tops and lug home laundry from time to time, but you could have sneakers and a water bottle that just lived there.

9 years ago

Isis

Veteran

I love the idea of a locker at the gym! And maybe towel service? Barring that, can you wear your sneakers to work and keep your dress shoes at work?

9 years ago

Jules

Veteran

Yeah, it's a pain. Towel service is really helpful (I actually always get it when I have a gym membership). A lot of gyms don't have overnight lockers these days. Sorry I'm not more help, I find this a frustrating aspect of trying to fit workouts into my busy life.
Wait, I do have one idea. At my downtown office where most are taking transit, many of us leave our laptops at work (locked up) as often as possible. The company does not provide ergonomic bags and the expectation that people bring them home every night is just not reasonable when you take transit. If you stop at the gym or elsewhere you have to worry about theft as well (something to mention to your boss if you need to ask if and how you can leave it at the office).

9 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I work out at home so I don't have this issue, but my husband works out at the gym in the hotel next door to his office. He keeps a gym bag in his office with several sets of gym clothes and his sneakers, and swaps it out (just the clothes, the shoes always live there) once a week or so. It seems to work fairly well for him.

9 years ago

fathenry

Veteran

Thanks for all the good ideas, I like the idea of packing a bag with several changes of clothes and leaving it at the gym or office. Towel service is also a good idea. I will have to look into that.

9 years ago

gardenchick

Veteran

I have running partners and meet them 3x weekly--at 6am during the week, at 7:30 on Sunday. It's a tight morning during the week getting to work by 8:30...and spending a few quality minutes with my family!
I also belong to a gym, and aim to go 2x a week at lunch. Don't always make it due to meetings, etc.
Lastly just started doing the workouts at the Fitness Blender site. I did buy 2 sets of dumbbells--10 lbs and 3 lbs--and have been working through some of their workouts. They sell an ebook with an 8 week program for busy people with daily 30 min workouts. I think this will eventually replace the gym, which is expensive.
Good luck!

9 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Can you arrive at work in the early AM, leave your belongings in a secure place in the office and then head to work? Gym lockers are frequently and easily broken into--I would never leave my purse, let alone my laptop, in one unless it was *absolutely* secure and the facilities assumed liability for theft from closed lockers.

9 years ago

fathenry

Veteran

Hello! I wanted to thank you for all your great suggestions on this topic. I was able to resolve this dilemma by packing my computer, lunch and workout clothes into a giant backpack. It has separate large zippered compartments for each category of stuff, so a sports bra won't come flying out when I unpack the computer. It is extremely unfashionable and I have to say I feel very frumpy wearing it, but allows a free hand to carry coffee to the bus in the morning. So, sacrificing style but it's working great. I think a cute little clutch tucked into it would make it slightly more fab I hope this helps someone else out. It's really nice to be hands free on public transportation!

9 years ago

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