If You Prefer Nighttime Sweat Sessions, You'll Probably Love These Workouts

Updated on Jan 31, 2018 at 10:35 PM

You know that coworker who bounces into the office in the morning having already run a 5K? Yeah, we can't all be her, but that's OK. Exercising in the a.m. has considerable benefits, like the freedom to say yes to last-minute plans after work, but there's no need to abandon your fitness goals just because you aren't a morning person. We've rounded up the best workouts to maximize your evening energy peak and prepare you for bedtime. Hit that snooze button and fit these in later.

Boxing

Whether you work out in the morning or at night, time is always of the essence. For an empowering full-body workout that combines huge helpings of cardio and strength training in one, look no further than boxing. Take the tension that has built up over the day and channel it into a high-energy circuit class that typically alternates strength and cardio training, boxing techniques, padwork, and timed stations for skipping, kicking punching bags, and medicine ball work. Beyond getting a killer workout, you'll leave with soaring self-esteem and a whole lot less aggression. In other words, the best sleep of your life.

Night Running

Pounding the pavement at night is an entirely different beast from running during the day, but the mental and emotional benefits are arguably even greater when the world feels open and quiet and you don't have the stress of racing to get ready for work after. As with day runs, there are important safety precautions to bear in mind. Before you even think about running after dark, pay special attention to the following:

Know Your Route(s)

Now is not the time to take up trail running or even veer off your familiar routes. Knowing every turn and pothole will significantly reduce your risk of injury. That said, running the same route every night may catch the attention of a creeper, so keep a few possibilities in your rotation and change it up.

Bring a Buddy

After a long day at work, a fitness date with your bestie is an excellent motivator (hey, even if you're an evening person, getting out the door is still hard). It's also an excellent safety precaution, so the more the merrier. If your friends a) think you're crazy, or b) prefer to work out in the a.m., join a running group.

Stay Alert

One of the biggest benefits and challenges associated with night running is staying present. Paying attention to where your feet are landing, who is around, and nearby traffic means no headphones — at all. And as much as possible, save thoughts about everything you have to look forward to after (pizza! a bath!) until you get home.

Identify Yourself

Always carry an ID, bring your cellphone, wear bright clothes, and run against traffic. Even better? Do the same for your day runs, too; good ideas are 24/7!

Yoga

Before you reach for a glass of red to forget the stresses of the day, consider hitting the mat instead. Yoga releases endorphins and clears the mind of those nagging thoughts that keep us awake, making it the perfect wind-down activity before a peaceful sleep. Morning yogis who make the switch will also find that they are more flexible in the evening and just may be able to go deeper in stretching poses.

Whether you take a group or online class or simply practice whichever sequences feel good, make savasana count: this is your warmup for the real bedtime main event, so take at least a full five minutes to let your heart rate and body temperature normalize.