How do bankers find the time to work out consistently?

I have been to some networking sessions where the analysts are freakin' massive (I am talking about bodybuilder types). There was a MF VP that I met at a alum event that worked for 2 years in a top BB group --> 4 years at a MF known to work A LOT but this guy still looks like he hits the gym 5-6x a week minimum (I am talking about a guy who looks like he can start a bodybuilding channel on youtube..no kidding). For bankers here who actually lift seriously (I am talking about 8-10 hours a week), how do you find the time?

15 Comments
 
  • wake up earlier if possible to get in a 1 hour workout

  • go during lunch and eat at desk

  • go at afternoon/night if activity is slow

  • after work if leaving office at reasonable time

  • utilize weekends to workout

one of the hardest part imo is the volatility if your schedule, but if you have a good grasp at it, then should be more doable. the hardest part for me though, is the energy to workout because soometimes i'll be burned out as fuck and the idea of doing deadlifts makes me want to cry

 

There's a lull around 6PM-8PM if you're not on a live deal. A lot of people hit the gym then and then come back to the office.

 

You really don't unless you're up early in the AM (and by early, i mean 5am).

Everyone says there's no such thing as "facetime"...well, i'm hear to tell you there absolutely is. As much as MD's and directors want to say that there isn't, there unfortunately is, and if you're a junior analyst/associate that isn't turning comments but instead are out getting your post-workout protein, you will not be looked at the same.

I truly wish this wasn't true, but unless you go in the AM or a gym that's open until 11pm, you sacrifice your health for the time youre in IB.

 
Most Helpful

I was into powerlifting before banking and somewhat kept it up during my 2 analyst years. Initially, when I had a shorter leash from work, didn't know what I was doing, and had to deal with getting a PE seat, I definitely didn't keep up my routine with as much consistency. I did a 4 day split which was about 2 - 2 1/2 hours per session but had to adjust it to more like a bodybuilding split with 5 days a week and only about 80-90 minutes per session because my schedule wouldn't accommodate. I think the biggest system shock was not necessarily this change, but diet - it became way harder to program meals than it was in college when you're literally on the floor around the clock. I had to really change my eating habits to keep weight. Edit: Should have added this initially. I went around 7 - 8:30 in the morning my first year and more like 7 - 9 my second year.

By around a year on, when I had more leeway, had secured a PE job, it became clear what bracket I was in for comp, and when I stopped learning (all of these happen at around the same time for most analysts), I began playing around with longer workouts in the mornings and kept that up for the next year or so. I think it's really about managing that initial trough.

 

Aut sint officia molestias in quos. Pariatur doloribus inventore voluptatem. Non corrupti amet dolores aut explicabo. Quo ut minus corporis provident velit dolores dolor consequuntur.

Et illo beatae consequatur blanditiis et consectetur. Libero aut dolorum sint suscipit cupiditate. Iure labore sunt aut amet iste minus aut veritatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”