Utilizing Weekends

Weekends can often feel like a time sacrifice, but for fitness enthusiasts, they can be a golden opportunity. I typically have my weekends free, and even when I do work, they remain the most flexible days in my schedule.

This means I dedicate both Saturday and Sunday mornings to the gym, allowing me the rest of the day for personal activities or to focus on my side hustle while still maintaining a social life. Make the most of your weekends; they are crucial for reaching your goal of four workouts a week.

Incorporating Work Week Workouts

While weekends are ideal for longer workouts, you may wonder how to fit in additional sessions during the week. My work schedule is a bit unconventional: my first job runs from 7 AM to 11:30 AM, while my second job is from 4 PM to 7 PM. This gives me a substantial block of time between noon and 3:30 PM to utilize effectively.

Since I work out twice on weekends, I only need to hit the gym twice during the week, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The rest of my afternoons are reserved for writing, managing my side business, and tackling other responsibilities. If I didn’t optimize that midday window, fitting in workouts would be nearly impossible.

Previously, I worked a schedule where my first job was from 10 AM to 2:30 PM and my second job was from 4 PM to 7 PM. This left me with just enough time to shower, eat, and head out, forcing me to choose between going before or after work. On those days, I would often go to the gym after my second job, getting home around 9 PM.

However, I found that if I woke up by 7:30 AM, I had a solid hour to work on my writing or other projects before heading to the gym later that night. It's a packed schedule, but it's manageable and absolutely worth it.

Working Backwards to Find Your Schedule

To figure out what works best for you, I recommend a method I call "working backwards." This approach has been invaluable given my ever-evolving work commitments.

Start by determining your waking hours. For instance, if you're awake from 7 AM to 11 PM, you have 16 hours. Subtract your work hours, say 8, leaving you with 8 hours. After accounting for meals and travel, you might have around 5 hours left, which is typically sufficient for gym time.

If you have other commitments, like appointments, you may be down to 3 or 4 hours. Unless you have an extended lunch break, you’ll likely need to work out either before or after your job. I’ve found that waking up early to fit in a workout is effective, but if that doesn’t suit you, consider going after work instead.

The Most Efficient Time-Saving Tip

One of the best ways to save time is to integrate your gym sessions into your commuting routine. Make your workout part of your travel to or from work, or around other obligations.

To do this, you’ll need to pack a gym bag with the essentials, including a change of clothes for post-workout showers. Unless you’re comfortable arriving at work sweaty, being prepared is key.

Pack your gym gear the night before along with everything else you need for the day. This eliminates decision fatigue when you wake up groggy and unmotivated. You’ll just need to grab your gym bag, make your coffee, and head out the door.

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