How to optimize your lunchtime workout

Plan your outfit accordingly

Don't waste any time getting tangled in your blouse in the locker room or bathroom stall. Instead, find a way to wear some of your gym clothes to the office (a non-issue for us Health staffers, honestly). "The easiest item is the sports bra, of course," says Perkins. "That's something you automatically have to change anyways and it's a pain in the butt. So wear it, work out in it, get sweaty, then put your fresh bra on."

Take the trick a few steps further by layering a blazer over a black sweat-wicking tee and your sports bra. Or, wear a sleek pair of black leggings with a long sweater, with a sports bra or fitted tank hiding underneath. Just have clean clothes packed in your bag to change into when you're done.

Be strategic about hair and makeup

Like your outfit, you should also plan your 'do. On days you want to workout midday, pull your locks into a high ponytail, braid, or top knot before you leave the house. Make sure your updo is tight enough that you won't have to fiddle with it again before hitting the treadmill.

If you can, go super light on your makeup so you don't have to worry about spending too much time taking it off before you start exercising, recommends Mona Gohara, MD, a dermatologist at the Yale School of Medicine.

Pack your own lunch

Waiting in line for an (overpriced) salad wastes time when you're up against the clock. "It feels better anyway to nourish yourself afterward with something clean and homemade," says Perkins.

If you plan on doing cardio, pack a post-workout pick-me-up balanced with carbs and protein and eat it (at your desk) within 20 to 30 minutes of wrapping to keep your energy up and your metabolism humming. If you strength trained, try to have about 20 grams of protein within an hour of finishing your workout to help repair your muscles and keep you full for the rest of the day.

Avoid peak lunch hour

"There are certainly busier times at public gyms, lunch being a big one," says Perkins. If you find yourself always waiting for a machine or lining up for the showers around noon or 1 p.m., exercise a little earlier or a little late. Plan a snack accordingly so you're never too full or too hungry to get in a good workout if you do adjust your schedule. Or, avoid gym crowds entirely and go outside for a run or brisk walk.

Go in with a plan

Showing up to the gym without a plan means you'll wander the floor deciding what to do, wasting precious minutes in the process. What's more, you may end up doing a workout that won't help you achieve your end goal.

Perkins recommends asking yourself a couple questions before you even leave your desk: Am I just looking to burn the most calories in the least amount of time? Or do I have a larger goal I need to work toward? " Here's an example: "If a client tells me her goal is to put on lean muscle mass, but aside from seeing me once a week, she's mostly spinning on her lunch breaks because it's convenient, she will have trouble achieving that goal," explains Perkins. "An overall strength training workout is something you could definitely fit into a lunch period, but you may need to forgo some spin classes in order to meet your goal."

Perkins advises spending some time on Sunday pre-planning your workouts for the week. Mark the days on your calendar you expect to fit in exercise over lunch, as well as any days you don't plan to work out. You should also write some notes (in a planner, on Post-Its, in your iCal, wherever) about the type of workout you plan to do—and why.

Just remember, as convenient as lunch workouts may be, there are some goals that may not be achievable solely in these shorter sessions (marathon training, anyone?). Coordinate wisely and be flexible about carving out time before and after work when necessary.

Shorten (or skip) the warm-up

A warm-up isn't necessary when you're just doing cardio, says Perkins. "Technically all a warm-up is to prepare you metabolically for a workout," she explains. "So if you're doing an interval-type cardio workout, you can pretty much just jump in and start with your 2 minutes of low intensity."

Suiting up for strength? In that case, warming up will help you prevent injuries, Perkins says: "If your session is going to include traditional strength training, you do want to start out with about 5 minutes on a stationary bike or walking on the treadmill," she says. Save even more time by jogging from your office to the gym.

Edisons Smart Fitness

Gym, Fitness Center, Health Club

North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Little River