Its the least wonderful time of the year to get a peaceful workout.
Throngs of eager exercisers will fill the nations gyms this week to work on their resolutions.
Take a look at the popular times for your gym in Google Maps, and schedule your workout accordingly.
Shuffling your schedule can even be good for you.
Then you have to actually get your hands on those weightsor your feet on that treadmill.
The second the cage is free, you’re free to jump up and claim it.
The same strategy works for cardio machines.
Cardio is cardio, and if youre crunched for time it pays to be flexible.
Since youre working so hard to claim your equipment, think carefully about which equipment that is.
With a few rounds of this, your quick workout becomes a frustrating time sink.
My preferred approach might be controversial, but here it is.
you could even bring over a set of dumbbells so you have even more options without leaving that spot.
Time management is essential to not being a jerk about this.
Even if youcoulddo a 45-minute workout in the same spot, you shouldnt.
This is called asuperset, and can really make time fly.
When others are clearly waiting, though, its polite tocommunicate and share.
Just say the magic words:Mind if I work in?
Heres how this works.
While youre resting, your newfound friend can be working, and vice versa.
This works for any station where you might switch back and forth quickly.
A pull up bar: yes.
Work Out at Home
If this all sounds exhausting, you have other options.
Nobody says your workout has to happen at the gym!
This is a great time for a temporary change of scenery.
If youhave a home gym, youre off to a great start.
Or if youve always been meaning to put one together, nows the time.
There are also tons of options for workouts that use your body and not much else.
To name just a few:
TheSeven Minute Workoutonly requires a chair.
5BX, the old school fighter pilots workout, needs no equipment at all.
These 52 exercisesare also equipment-free.
Thistowel workoutonly requires, well, a towel.
Or you canget fit using a door.
Yoga routines can build serious strength, and are another excellent option.
it’s possible for you to even fit a great workout into afew minutes at the office.
These arent just sorry second-best workouts: its possible tostill gain strength outside of the gym.
High-intensity intervals, challenging moves, and quality movements are key to creating a kickass workout.
There are lots of great outdoor opportunities for staying fit.
If the weather is cold where you are, try classic winter sports like ice skating and skiing.
Snow shovelingis also a great workout.
Be careful touse good form, of course.
Running, for example, isvery doable in the cold.
you could also dostrength workouts at a playground, ortake up a new sport, indoor or outdoor.
Illustration by Tara Jacoby.
