How to workout in office (showering?)?

My firm has a gym in office with showers. During downtime some people leave to go to the gym, but whenever I work out, my hair always gets really sweaty, even with a 12-3-30 treadmill walk. So, I need to shampoo + blow dry too, reapply light makeup, etc., not just a body shower. Plus I'm always scared that I'm going to get pinged, and take too long to get back to my desk, but that might just be anxiety. How do you guys manage it? Can feel myself gaining weight :(

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I'm a guy and I think it is utterly ridiculous that you even have to ask this question.  Read Howard Marks "Further Thoughts on Sea Change" memo.  We're in a rising interest rate environment now, and AI, demographic shifts, and geopolitical instability going forward are going to render banking a considerably less attractive career choice for many.  

Take as long as you want showering. 

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some practical tips to manage working out in the office gym while addressing your concerns about time, hygiene, and anxiety:

  1. Efficient Workouts:

    • Opt for shorter, high-intensity workouts that minimize sweating. For example, a 20-minute session on the elliptical or a quick bodyweight circuit can be effective without leaving you drenched.
    • If you're walking on the treadmill (e.g., 12-3-30), consider lowering the incline or speed to reduce sweat.
  2. Hygiene and Grooming:

    • Use dry shampoo or hair-refreshing sprays to manage sweaty hair without needing a full wash.
    • Keep a compact hairdryer and travel-sized toiletries in your gym bag for quick touch-ups.
    • Simplify your makeup routine post-workout with multitasking products like tinted moisturizers or BB creams.
  3. Time Management:

    • Plan your gym sessions during predictable downtimes or lunch breaks. Communicate with your team if needed, letting them know you'll be away for a short period.
    • Limit your gym time to 30 minutes, including a quick shower. Practice a streamlined routine to get back to your desk faster.
  4. Anxiety Management:

    • Remember that most tasks can wait 10-20 minutes. As highlighted in WSO threads, senior managers often have multiple priorities and won't notice minor delays.
    • Set clear boundaries for yourself. If you're worried about being pinged, let your team know you're stepping away briefly or keep your phone nearby for urgent messages.
  5. Consistency Over Perfection:

    • Even small, consistent efforts can help you maintain your weight and health. Incorporate light activity throughout the day, like walking during calls or using a standing desk.

By focusing on efficiency and preparation, you can make office workouts a sustainable part of your routine without compromising your professional responsibilities.

Sources: How the hell do you stay healthy in sweat shop groups?, How the hell do you stay healthy in sweat shop groups?, Gym - Bulking while in IB - possible?, Maintaining physique in IB, Unhappy at MBB

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

what is a 12-3-30 treadmill walk?

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

thx

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Most Helpful

This sounds tricky. IB is stressful and being concerned about your health certainly won't help the anxiety. One thing I could recommend is to switch from cardio to weights - it'll still help control weight if that is your concern, as more muscle mass increases metabolic rate. Also, more muscle mass will decrease bodyfat percentage simply because you're gaining muscle and fat stays constant.

Plus, lifting heavy will do wonders for dealing with stress and anxiety - resistance training has been shown time and time again to be a fantastic for decreasing depression and anxiety, as well as boosting self-esteem and helping longevity. It's worked very well for me (admittable I am a guy).

Plus being jacked will intimidate other analysts, +50% buyside offers easily :)

All the best.

 

I can't comment on how to do your makeup and how to react if pinged while at the gym. But there are a few effective exercises that don't make you too sweaty, or sweaty at all. Cardio in general is tough, I've found that stairmasters make me drenched, but incline walking is not so bad. If you insist on doing cardio, I think your 12-3 routine is good if you can find an area near a fan or a somewhat cool spot. Otherwise, I'd recommend plyometrics or heavy weight lower body exercises. For plyometrics, box jumps & split squat jumps can leave you feeling winded but won't make you sweat. Heavy leg exercises like deep squats and good mornings have the same effect, and these types of exercises have been proven to have some cardiovascular benefits as well.

If I were you, I'd try a routine like this:

8-10 minute incline walking warm up

3 sets of 8-10 squats (normal, deep, sumo, bulgarian split, all are good)

3 sets of 8-10 good mornings or RDLs

3 sets glute bridges or kickbacks (unsure what equipment your gym has but something for glutes)

3 set of any 2 plyometrics exercises

short core circuit (leg raises or hanging leg raises, plank, decline sit ups, russian twists or landmine twists, etc)

8-10 minute incline walking cool down

2-3 minutes stretching

 

I always value a gym in my building. So I always choose luxury apartments that have a gym. You can workout morning or night and you don't have to worry about work clothes. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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