FitSugar

Products That Help Make the Locker Room a Quick Pit Stop

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 05:50:46 PDT

I tend to make it to the gym pretty late at night, which means I'm not trying to waste time. And the locker room - IMHO - can be a major time suck. Over the years, I've found ways to speed up the process so I spend less time fussing in the locker room, and more time on the exercising. Need a little help in the time-saving department? Here are a few products that ensure the locker room isn't a black hole for your fitness fun.

The proper lock. Since I'm big on misplacing keys, being responsible for a padlock key isn't the smartest choice. But combination locks are sensitive and can be a big waste of time - especially since the sequence of numbers is often confusing. The solution? A Wordlock. Instead of messing with numbers that need turning to the left or the right, all you have to do is spell out a word of your choice.
Get organized. The women at my gym who take the longest in the locker room are the ones who throw their lives into their bags - and then onto the locker room benches! Instead of having to dig through your bag for your essentials, find a bag that has lots of compartments so you can organize, organize, organize! I also keep my toiletries in a separate bag so when it comes time to shower or freshen up, I can just grab it and go.
A streamlined beauty routine. When you leave the gym as late as I do, showering isn't always an option. To keep my hair from getting gross, I pull it back in a ponytail and also wear a sweat-absorbing headband. If I need to freshen up on my way out, dry shampoo and body wipes can save me a good 20 minutes compared to a shower.

What products help you get in and out of the gym quickly?

Locker Room Time Savers

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:45:00 PDT

For those of us who sneak out of the office to get in a quick workout at lunch, anything that can cut time down in the locker room is helpful.

Forget layering sports bra and shirt, instead slip into an all-in-one sports top with built in bra.
Only pack the necessities in your bag so you're not left fumbling around to find your gear. I like to put my socks inside my shoes the night before so they're already together.
Avoid spending time unraveling iPod cords by investing in a cord keeper. I like the SmarterWrap cord manager ($4.99).
Instead of using a headband, put hair in a loose ponytail. This will preserve volume and eliminate time at the blow dryer post workout.
Take a "body shower" and use dry shampoo to freshen up hair.

There are a few more time saving tips for the locker room, so

Forget about fidgeting with bottles in the shower, wash your face and bod with the cleansing cloths. I like the ones by Dove.
Keep makeup in a see through case (or even ziplock bag) so you can see what you're grabbing for and aren't left searching frantically for your eyeliner.
If possible, avoid the prime lunch rush and head to the gym a little earlier or later to avoid waiting in lines for the showers, hair dryers, etc.

Source

Be a Quick Change Artist For Lunchtime Workouts

Susi May — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:11:48 PST

Since I have trouble yanking myself out of bed for an early morning workout, and after work I'm on mom duty, the lunchtime workout has become my fitness savior. Nothing beats the midday pick-me-up from a nooner sweat session, but timing is everything. After months of careful consideration and testing, I have found the best outfits, for both the office and gym, to cut down on locker room time to ensure I am pedaling when the first tune blares in, cardio cycling, and back at my desk minutes after the class is over.

Here's my tried-and-tested strategy:

What to wear to work: For starters, keep your office outfit simple: a one-piece dress is quickly off and easily hung on a locker hook. Skip the tights if weather permits, but do wear boots that slip on and off easily, so you can wear your athletic socks to work, eliminating one more element from your wardrobe change. If you have long hair, wear it up to work alleviating the need to mess with it before your workout. Start taking off your jewelry as you walk out the office door and do fish for your ID card as you commute, so it's on hand when you walk through the gym door.

Learn what to wear to the gym after the break.

Make the Most of Your Lunchtime Workout

Susi May — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:10:10 PDT

The best way to combat work-related weight gain - not to mention on-the-job stress - is to work out in the middle of your workday. We know cramming a sweat session into your lunch hour often involves some serious logistics, but with a little planning, leaving your desk at noon won't create stresses of its own. Here are tips, tried and true, to help maximize your workout.

Before Heading to the Gym
Time your meals and snacks so your stomach is not growling or stuffed when you hit the gym. Between one to two hours before working out, have a carb-packed snack. Think of it like a mini second breakfast: a little granola with skim milk or some trail mix.

Save time by wearing office-appropriate workout wear to skim minutes off your preworkout locker room time. Just be sure to pack fresh clothes for heading back to office.

Power walk to the gym to jump-start your warmup and get the thought of work out of your mind. I use this time to take off my jewelry and put on my heart rate monitor watch.

Locker Room Prep
Having a well organized gym bag - we like 'em with lots of pockets - can seriously cut down on the frantic nature of a quick change. I also know exactly where to reach to find my word lock, which I consider a time-saver too. The one word combination is much easier to remember than three pairs of numbers.

Keep on reading; there are more tips after the break.