Why you should work out during your lunch break

Time is everything and, with a little planning, lunch break workouts could help beat time-consuming traffic.

“For those of us who live in and around cities, traffic is particularly hectic in the mornings and evenings,” says Ivana Buchanan, group training specialist at Zone Fitness.

“If you can find a gym close enough to your workplace, you can take a quick walk or use public transport to get there. Even if you have to drive, chances are that the road won’t be as busy around lunchtime.”

As opposed to morning or evening gym sessions, Buchanan says that squeezing in a workout during lunch means you have more time to spend on personal matters during your off-time.

Here are more benefits of working out during your lunch break:

Get better (and more) sleep

If you get up early to go to the gym, chances are you end up sacrificing an hour or two of much-needed sleep. Not to mention that getting up at dawn is an inconceivable task to many of us, especially during winter.

“Even exercising in the evening has its downside,” Buchanan says. “Numerous studies have shown that working out closer to bedtime actually negatively impacts your ability to go to sleep, because your energy levels are heightened for a few hours after demanding physical activity. Conversely, if you exercise in the afternoon, your body will crave rest even more come bedtime, so you’ll sleep like a baby.”

Availability

“Gyms are notoriously busy in the early morning and evening, as everyone is clamouring to get their daily session done and dusted,” Buchanan says. “Even during lunchtime it can be a little crowded.”

The solution is simple – ask your boss if you can take your break just before or after the regular lunch time. The benefits of this are numerous; besides there being more vacant workout machines and less occupied weightlifting areas, group workout classes – pilates, abs classes, spinning – won’t be as fully booked, allowing you to get more personal attention from the trainer or instructor.

“And let’s not forget the empty changing rooms and lockers, unengaged showers and no queues at the water fountain,” Buchanan adds.

Food

Don’t think that because you work out during your lunch break, you can’t eat.

“It makes sense coupling a fitness routine with regular compact meals, so you don’t need to get all your graze down in one sitting. Even if you eat at your desk, you nibble away while getting work done,” says Buchanan.

There’s yet another perk: because these meals generally take some time to prepare, you have the evenings free for cooking. “You are much more likely to stick to your meal plan too,” Buchanan adds.

Work will benefit

Remember that part about exercise energising you? Getting active in the middle of your work day means you get a free dose of energy to see you through the late shift: those last three or four hours at the office.

In order to make this routine work, you should not view your workout as a luxury (or worse, a chore), but instead as a normal, essential part of your daily life – like eating, sleeping and brushing your teeth.

“It might take getting used to, but lunchtime is a great time to fit in an hour of exercise,” Buchanan says.

Brought to you by All4Women