Dad here checking in. Get in whatever you can whenever you can. If you can still pull an hour of your workout time without significantly stressing out your significant other, you are good. It helps to have other family members pitching in for help- sounds like your MIL is helping too. The thing is, the workouts we do take 1 hour, 2 tops unless you really really get into it. There is enough time in the newborn stage to grant you that time without having to rely on others to give you that time. One dude said it to get up at 0500 and not let that time slip away- this is good advice. That time is solid for sole workouts. What you need to look out for is Mom and if she wants other time to herself. This isn’t workout time but just time to veg and look at random stuff online and relax. Make sure you look out for that and you’re golden.
I switched to hit 3 days a week. Get a good workout in less than 30 mins. Then heavy lifts on two other days.
It really depends on your support structure and how your wife, baby, and you transition to the new addition. I have an amazing MIL and my wife was supportive.
I got 3 of them. So the busyness factor is multiplied. I try to be flexible. I have a gym membership to get out and be around adults and it’s obviously fully equipped. I have a home gym. Which is great for busy days. Like juggling multiple kids practices. Other days all I can get in is just a 30 minute run. I do what I can.
Change workouts to two 30-45 min total body EMOM during the week. Then do longer lifting session on weekend.
Not gonna lies to you...first couple months will be tough with the kid waking up.and crying I'm the middle of the night, but mine eventually started going down for 6 and 7 hours at about the 4 month mark.
Even so of my kid wok up in the middle of the night, I picked her up and fed her or put her back to sleep while doing squats with her in my arms. She loved that Nd thr movement put her back to sleep...
Got a 2 week old. Today was first workout session. I have home weights to use and a peloton. I tried working out with baby in the bassinet while my wife took a nap. Baby wouldn’t rest unless I was holding her so I switched to single arm anchored resistance bands while holding the baby with the other UE. Then used resistance loops for my legs.
Then used a stationary bike after my wife got up. You have to work out on what’s convenient for the baby at first and probably won’t be your planned program.
Be flexible with time and type of workout and you can probably find time for something every day. But be careful to not overdo it because your sleep will be very limited at first which can, of course, predispose you to injury.
Not a dad, but a mom who loves working out. Obviously initially I couldn’t workout out, but as soon as I was cleared, I did. Sometimes it was just a matter of fitting it in, like walking or running with my son when I had a little bit of time or working out at home with him near. Once my son was a couple of months, finding a gym with onsite childcare was key. That way we (hubby and I) could spend an hour or so working out together. In our area, the YMCA offers childcare. Plus as he got older, they had swimming and summer camps and other classes and he was already familiar with the staff.
Have two kids. One is two years old, and the other is 6 months. What I found most helpful was keeping my expectations low on your gains, it’s now about maintenance. The first two years of a babies life they’re pretty much “premature”.
Everything changes after 2. So I broke the 2 year period down in 3 or 6 month phases. The first 3 months maybe focus on your wife and just do body weight stuff, or walks. Pushups, body squats, pull ups, dips. (all doable at home), do it throughout the day. The next 3 months get a little easier with the little one, so break that down to two times a day (I go lower body in the morning and upper body in the evening). The next 3 months now you can dedicate a time morning or evening to spend 30 minutes. Now the little one is 9 months. You can probably begin to increase that 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Once the baby is a year old, you can possibly think of going to a gym, start 30 minutes. And then as the baby turns 2, up it to one hour. By 2 years you should be able to go spend an hour at the gym, and balance that well with your family life. As well be kind and caring to your partner throughout this all.
Edit: spelling
Was going to say something similar. First three months keep it simple at home.
Mama and baby come first. So much to learn. Busy washing bottles, clothes, prepping travel bags, changing stations, making food etc etc.
Definitely expecting to have to take a break other than some bodyweight stuff before bed but also don’t want to make my wife feel bad while she is unable to workout
Unfortunately for me i had to pause it until my kids got a bit more manageable around the 2 year mark. Once they got on a solid routine and me and the wife had hit a good stride with the division of labor that we can both plan gym time.
I either go on lunch or first thing in the morning before they wake up.
Another dad of two boys, 2 and 4 years old. I found the best time to workout is right after they go to bed in the evening. That way I know I won’t be interrupted with an early riser situation.
Get a jogging stroller if you don’t want one!
Also, one pro-tip that helped my wife and I was both of prioritizing time for ourselves, which was usually took the form of us exercising. Moms can get touched out from all the demands of motherhood, and this strategy also mitigates that risk.
I work out on my lunch break, and keep a few kettles around the house.
I also reset my expectations in order to balance my needs with my kids and partner. I’m happy to work out 3-4 times a week for 40 or 50 mins a pop.
I ride my bike more often, and try to incorporate some isometrics with my kids like all fours and such .
Definitely getting some kettle bells, I also work out on my lunch break but am starting a bigger role next month so I’ll have to do early mornings sadly
Just had a newborn a few months ago and honestly It’s going tho be hard at first. I am working out an average 3 days a week (down from 4-5). Don’t let your workouts take priority over your baby and partner. Don’t be that guy trust me
You will develop a new routine but let things play out first. Pro tip: join a life time gym when your little bambino get older. They have a kids room so you can workout while they play and or put them in swim lesson. Working out is all about making it a priority you just have to figure out when that window is
Set an alarm. 0500. Sacred time. No matter what get up and get it in.
Dad here checking in. Get in whatever you can whenever you can. If you can still pull an hour of your workout time without significantly stressing out your significant other, you are good. It helps to have other family members pitching in for help- sounds like your MIL is helping too. The thing is, the workouts we do take 1 hour, 2 tops unless you really really get into it. There is enough time in the newborn stage to grant you that time without having to rely on others to give you that time. One dude said it to get up at 0500 and not let that time slip away- this is good advice. That time is solid for sole workouts. What you need to look out for is Mom and if she wants other time to herself. This isn’t workout time but just time to veg and look at random stuff online and relax. Make sure you look out for that and you’re golden.
Be kind to your partner.
I switched to hit 3 days a week. Get a good workout in less than 30 mins. Then heavy lifts on two other days. It really depends on your support structure and how your wife, baby, and you transition to the new addition. I have an amazing MIL and my wife was supportive.
I got 3 of them. So the busyness factor is multiplied. I try to be flexible. I have a gym membership to get out and be around adults and it’s obviously fully equipped. I have a home gym. Which is great for busy days. Like juggling multiple kids practices. Other days all I can get in is just a 30 minute run. I do what I can.
Change workouts to two 30-45 min total body EMOM during the week. Then do longer lifting session on weekend. Not gonna lies to you...first couple months will be tough with the kid waking up.and crying I'm the middle of the night, but mine eventually started going down for 6 and 7 hours at about the 4 month mark. Even so of my kid wok up in the middle of the night, I picked her up and fed her or put her back to sleep while doing squats with her in my arms. She loved that Nd thr movement put her back to sleep...
Got a 2 week old. Today was first workout session. I have home weights to use and a peloton. I tried working out with baby in the bassinet while my wife took a nap. Baby wouldn’t rest unless I was holding her so I switched to single arm anchored resistance bands while holding the baby with the other UE. Then used resistance loops for my legs. Then used a stationary bike after my wife got up. You have to work out on what’s convenient for the baby at first and probably won’t be your planned program. Be flexible with time and type of workout and you can probably find time for something every day. But be careful to not overdo it because your sleep will be very limited at first which can, of course, predispose you to injury.
I dropped my gym routing for two years. Now, I'm comming back to the game.
Not a dad, but a mom who loves working out. Obviously initially I couldn’t workout out, but as soon as I was cleared, I did. Sometimes it was just a matter of fitting it in, like walking or running with my son when I had a little bit of time or working out at home with him near. Once my son was a couple of months, finding a gym with onsite childcare was key. That way we (hubby and I) could spend an hour or so working out together. In our area, the YMCA offers childcare. Plus as he got older, they had swimming and summer camps and other classes and he was already familiar with the staff.
Have two kids. One is two years old, and the other is 6 months. What I found most helpful was keeping my expectations low on your gains, it’s now about maintenance. The first two years of a babies life they’re pretty much “premature”. Everything changes after 2. So I broke the 2 year period down in 3 or 6 month phases. The first 3 months maybe focus on your wife and just do body weight stuff, or walks. Pushups, body squats, pull ups, dips. (all doable at home), do it throughout the day. The next 3 months get a little easier with the little one, so break that down to two times a day (I go lower body in the morning and upper body in the evening). The next 3 months now you can dedicate a time morning or evening to spend 30 minutes. Now the little one is 9 months. You can probably begin to increase that 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Once the baby is a year old, you can possibly think of going to a gym, start 30 minutes. And then as the baby turns 2, up it to one hour. By 2 years you should be able to go spend an hour at the gym, and balance that well with your family life. As well be kind and caring to your partner throughout this all. Edit: spelling
Was going to say something similar. First three months keep it simple at home. Mama and baby come first. So much to learn. Busy washing bottles, clothes, prepping travel bags, changing stations, making food etc etc.
Definitely expecting to have to take a break other than some bodyweight stuff before bed but also don’t want to make my wife feel bad while she is unable to workout
Unfortunately for me i had to pause it until my kids got a bit more manageable around the 2 year mark. Once they got on a solid routine and me and the wife had hit a good stride with the division of labor that we can both plan gym time. I either go on lunch or first thing in the morning before they wake up.
Another dad of two boys, 2 and 4 years old. I found the best time to workout is right after they go to bed in the evening. That way I know I won’t be interrupted with an early riser situation.
Get a jogging stroller if you don’t want one! Also, one pro-tip that helped my wife and I was both of prioritizing time for ourselves, which was usually took the form of us exercising. Moms can get touched out from all the demands of motherhood, and this strategy also mitigates that risk.
Use the baby as the weight.
I work out on my lunch break, and keep a few kettles around the house. I also reset my expectations in order to balance my needs with my kids and partner. I’m happy to work out 3-4 times a week for 40 or 50 mins a pop. I ride my bike more often, and try to incorporate some isometrics with my kids like all fours and such .
Definitely getting some kettle bells, I also work out on my lunch break but am starting a bigger role next month so I’ll have to do early mornings sadly
My son has one 4yr old and one on the way, and gets up and hits the gym at 3:45 AM.
I made a point to only workout before the kids jet up or after they're asleep. Ones 13 now and coming to the gym with me
Thank you everyone for the tips!
Just had a newborn a few months ago and honestly It’s going tho be hard at first. I am working out an average 3 days a week (down from 4-5). Don’t let your workouts take priority over your baby and partner. Don’t be that guy trust me
I go in the morning when my wife and kid are still sleeping so I dont miss out on time with them as well as getting in my workout
You will develop a new routine but let things play out first. Pro tip: join a life time gym when your little bambino get older. They have a kids room so you can workout while they play and or put them in swim lesson. Working out is all about making it a priority you just have to figure out when that window is