12 hour night shift shedule-anybody else?

The boyfriend is on a crazy schedule with two 8 hr night shifts and two 12 hour night shifts every week.

He just started doing quick runs/workouts on one of those fitness trails at a park near his house right after he gets off work (7am). He's actually been sleeping better during the day now that he's doing that.

If you want to squeeze something in on those days, I suggest doing it immediately after your shift. 

Not quite in the same boat as you - I work noon to midnight, three on, three off - but it is possible to make it work.  Things I've found that help me out.

1. Get to bed as soon as possible when I get home.  This way I can get in a solid 7-8 hours of sleep and still have time to fit in a short workout before work.

2. Pre-prep as much as I can for my work days so I can easily pack up food and dash out the door without much extra fuss.

3. I'm lucky enough to have a fitness center on my plantsite.  I schedule short runs for my dinner break.  If I can't get the run in during my shift, I suck it up and get it done right after.  During the summer, when the days are longer, I even manage to get outdoors for a run.

4. By necessity, all of my long workouts are on my off days.  Depending on how it all falls out, I tend to double up workouts on nearly all of my days off.

5. Ignore just about everything but sleep, work, and workouts on my work days.  All but the most essential chores are reserved for days off.  I don't have kids to worry about, just an understanding husband, so that makes things a little easier.

It might take a few months of futzing around with your schedule to figure out what works best for you.  Do you have the energy to workout after work?  Are you able to get up early before work?  Can you work out during your shift?  I tried endless combinations and am just now figuring out what I can handle.  Set a goal.  Figure out how many workouts you need to make it happen.  Then have the patience to try out different combos of workouts.  Take notes and keep at it.  You'll find something that fits your needs and your schedule.

I work from 2230 to 0730, 6 days and sometimes 7.  I usally take my daughter to school around 0820 and then run/bike after I get home.  If I swim I go right from work and my wife takes her.  It wokrs for me as I sleep better, run away the BS from the proceeding work shift and I am up when she gets home from school.

I also prefer to workout (swim or run) in the morning after work. I work 2 days/2 nights, 5 off schedule (12 hour 7 - 7 shifts)

I work three 12s as well, but day shift (7a-730pm). Its tough for me to fit in workouts on the days I work since gotta drive an hour each way to work plus I got 3 kids. My solution is 2 workouts a day. Swim and bike, or swim and run. I also dont schedule mhself to work two days in a row so my rest day is my work day.

I work 24 hour shifts, sometimes I get to sleep at night, sometimes I don't.  I have been riding to work which is great because it forces me to get on the bike in the morning after shift, no matter how bad of a night we had.  Then the exercise plus lack of sleep really helps when I take a nap the next day.  On your shift days, do you have time to work out before your shift starts?

Thanks everybody for your advice. I think I need to look at the days between my nights to see if I can work in a short workout. Never thought about it helping me sleep better. I take a sedative now to help me sleep. Maybe I won't need that if I plan a workout before going to sleep. I really appreciate everyone's advice. Thanks!