Those who hit the gym regularly invest a lot more time on their fitness routine beyond what they spend on their sweat sesh, new research suggests. While a typical workout only takes an average of 47 minutes, according to a new survey, the gym-goer’s pre- and post-workout routine takes close to four hours.
The poll of 2-thousand U.S. adults who regularly work out looks into their fitness routines and habits and finds:
- Exercisers spend 101 minutes on pre-workout prep, on average, and another 133 minutes recovering.
- Their prep time includes designing their workout (16 minutes), drinking pre-workout beverage (13 minutes), drinking/eating protein (15 minutes), having a carb snack (14 minutes), and making a workout playlist (15 minutes).
- After they workout, their recovery time includes eating a full meal (21 minutes), using a foam roller (15 minutes), stretching (13 minutes), showering (19 minutes), and sitting in a steam room or sauna (21 minutes).
- Warming up beforehand (59%) is the most crucial step for a good workout, followed by finding an enjoyable routine so you stay consistent (52%).
- The top challenges to staying fit include maintaining motivation (50%), having enough energy (41%), taking true rest days (29%), getting enough protein (28%) and finding time to prepare healthy meals and snacks (25%).
- Respondents consume an average of 68-grams of protein and 48-ounces of water per day.
- Nearly two-thirds (64%) of those who exercise regularly say the better their nutrition is, the better their workouts are.
- Despite all the time they’re already investing in fitness, three out of four respondents say they want to workout more in 2025 than they do now.
Source: SWNS Digital
Scott's Thoughts:
- I’m exhausted just thinking about all the energy they’re expending on exercise!
- I have gotten out of my workout routine. Time to get re-motivated!
- Too cold out to walk outside. Gym is 9 miles away! 1st world problems.