How to Exercise at Night

If your work or family schedule keeps you too busy during daylight hours, you may feel like your exercise options are so limited that it’s not worth exercising at all. Think again.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Hit the gym. The advent of 24-hour gyms has opened up a whole new world for night owls. There’s really no excuse now and the line at the leg press is much shorter after midnight.

2. Run or walk in a well-lit area. Neighborhoods or school tracks are great choices. Most running/walking shoes have reflective detailing, but you can also supplement with a reflective shirt, vest or jacket.

3. Ride your road bike. Closed office parks or familiar neighborhoods with little traffic are ideal for evening cycling. Install lights on the front and back of your bike, plus on the front of your helmet. (For details, visit the full eHow article linked below.)

4. For skilled riders, try mountain biking at night. This is not as crazy as it sounds. In fact, it’s quite popular along many urban greenbelts. The helmet/handlebar combination of lights is critical since there are more obstacles off road. (For details, visit the full eHow article linked below.)

5. If you would rather stick to riding indoors, you can set up a home bicycle trainer that replicates a favorite outdoor ride. One brand, the Computrainer, includes software that allows you create a course at your computer then transmit the information to your indoor trainer. As your ride, the Computrainer changes the resistance according to the virtual course.

6. Skate in a neighborhood or large empty parking lot. (Check for No Loitering signs.) Some cities also have skate-specific paths and skate parks.

7. Stay home and watch TV. That is, put in a yoga or core-strengthening video. Many video rental businesses offer a broad selection of DVDs so you can test-drive different ones or mix up your favorites for variety.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have kids, make a trade with your partner or a neighbor. After you put your kids to bed, have someone come over and watch TV for an hour while you exercise. Alternate evenings with your friend.
• Either go with a friend or tell someone where you are headed.
• Wear appropriate safety gear.
• Remain in safe, well-lit areas with limited car traffic.

Resources

• Bicycle Lights
• Reflective Running Gear

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[kmac10016]

on 4/14/2009 Is it possible that aerobic exercise a few hours before you go to sleep could cause you to be a little more groggy than usual the following morning? I run a few miles about two hours before I go to sleep sometimes, and this seems to be occurring.

[robert_mcguire]

on 4/14/2008 Great tips!

[Charles1963]

on 10/24/2007 Mountain biking at night? I have never thought of that before but it sounds like it would be really fun. thanks for the tip.