Finding time to work out when you have a full time job feels impossible. You wake up tired, you work all day, you come home exhausted, and somehow you are also supposed to cook, see friends, answer texts, clean your apartment, get to the gym, and fit in a social life. It adds up fast.

I went through this during my first year out of college. I remember saying on the podcast,

“All the things you have to get done or want to do on top of a nine to five job still stress me out.

And it is true. The pressure to get everything you want to get done is not easy to deal with.

But what I learned is this: the gym only becomes impossible when you try to squeeze it into whatever leftover time you have. Once you build your day around it, everything gets easier.

Here is how I finally made time for the gym while working full time.

Work out in the morning, not at night

I used to think I could just go after work. But here is what actually happens when you try to work out at 5 or 6 pm:

• you leave work late

• you get to the gym tired

• you have no time to shower or cook

• plans with friends disappear

• your entire night is gone

I talked about this in the episode because it kept happening to me. Going after work cut my nights in half every time.

That is why I switched to mornings.

When I started working out before work, everything changed. I said it directly:

“When I work out in the morning, I show up to the office so much more present.”

You feel clearer. More energized. More grounded.
And most importantly, you get your evenings back.

Pack your bag and lay out your clothes the night before

Morning workouts only work if your mornings are smooth. The hardest part is not the workout. It is the getting ready.

That is why I started packing my gym bag at night and laying my clothes out. It sounds tiny, but it changed everything.

I also think this is one of those things that makes every day easier for me.

“This small act sets your mindset for the next day before it has even begun.”

When your clothes are ready and your bag is packed, you do not hit snooze. You do not waste time deciding what to wear. You just get up and go.

Consistency comes from preparation, not motivation.

Understand the real reason you can't find time

Most guys think the problem is time. It is not.

The real problem is energy.

After work, you are drained. You have nothing left in the tank. So of course the gym feels impossible.

But in the morning, your energy is untouched. Your willpower is fresh. You have no distractions, no plans, no excuses.

What I learned in my first year:

“For me, working out in the morning has given me those nights back.”

You are not fighting your schedule anymore. You are using it.

Accept that not every morning will be perfect

Some days you will oversleep. Some days you will be tired. Some days you will skip the gym completely. This is normal.

I said on the podcast that there is usually one day a week where I wake up late, choose sleep, or just cannot get myself there. That does not mean you are failing.

Consistency is not about being perfect.
It is about aiming for your routine and hitting it most of the time.

Give yourself room to be human.

Let small wins carry you

Not every workout will feel amazing. Not every day will be productive. But doing something for yourself before work builds momentum.

I genuinely feel this way:

“If the day at work is a total shit show, at least I got up and made my bed and went to the gym.”

That still counts.
It keeps your confidence up when everything else feels chaotic.

Small wins matter more than you realize.

Your routine should give you your life back, not take it away

Most guys think the gym takes time away. But the right routine actually gives you more time.

When you work out in the morning:

• your evenings are open

• you feel better walking into the office

• your stress drops

• you stop feeling behind all day

• your nights belong to you again

This is not about being disciplined. It is about designing a life that feels doable. And when it doesn't happen, don't beat yourself up. It's not going to happen every single day and that's okay. Have some grace with yourself.

You can absolutely make time for the gym with a full time job. You just need to build your day differently.

FAQ: What Guys Ask About Working Out With a Full Time Job

What time should I wake up to work out?
Earlier than feels comfortable, but not miserable. Twenty to thirty minutes earlier is enough.

What if I am not a morning person?
No one is at first. The routine makes you one.

How many days a week should I go?
Start with two mornings. Build from there.

What if I keep missing my alarm?
Prep your clothes and bag at night. It reduces the friction by half.

Can I still go out at night?
Yes, but not every night. Balance requires choices.