What running / exercise can one do to stay in shape in jail?

use yourself as a punching bag

Go watch the documentary, The Jericho Mile. A guy worked himself into sub-4 shape in prison.

p90x plyometrics would be OK.

Of course excercise is the least of your worries, sunshine.

Speaking of P90X, Tony actually has an exercise called "Prison Cell Pushups".

Pushup, Right knee to chest, Pushup, Left Knee to chest, Pushup, Jump up. That is 1. I got to where I could 12 in a minute. See if you can beat that by the end of a month.

What'd ya do?

I think Oz is on Netflix.

Burpees and jump rope. Though I'm not sure if you're allowed to have a jump rope. No idea why I've spent a lot of time thinking about this.

Good luck - basically focus on your core strength, flexibility, and cardio - running will suffer

Start practicing sphincter contractions. Will come in handy. You won't be worrying about losing fitness when bubba and the boys come 'round to welcome the newbies.

I have a friend who spent time in a federal prison. He said he would run laps around the yard and do pushups all day. So just keep running around the yard when outside and do pushups when inside.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

Burpees and jump rope. Though I'm not sure if you're allowed to have a jump rope. No idea why I've spent a lot of time thinking about this.

Pretty sure a jump rope is a no-no. Tx you never been in jail?

If you are serious you better realize that your nutritional needs will not be met by the standard diet provided. You will need to pay $ into the commissary so you can buy extra food and juice otherwise you will outwork your nutrition. I also doubt you will sleep well in the first 30 days. You need to coexist with block mates, who may not appreciate your desire to sweat and huff all day when your shower time is not a daily event.

Time is not a vacation or fitness retreat

You might attempt soap deadlifts followed by a quick lap or two of the shower,

Amazing. Didn't know so many of you have been prison inmates and know the ins and outs of prison life. Glad to see the level of posters had taken a step up.

Gonna do the time wrote:

Gotta do 30 days in jail. No argument about it.

What can I do to stay in shape in that 30 days? Right now I plan to pack mileage and hard workouts into 2 weeks before then recover week 1 in jail. But what can I do the next 23 days? Would essentially running in place and/or plyometrics for 2 hours twice a day be my best hope?

Appreciate any insight from anyone with knowledge or people stuck in a hotel room equivalent.

Welcome to letsrun, Hillary!

You'll find this a warm, friendly place where everyone is welcome!

justthefacts wrote:

Amazing. Didn't know so many of you have been prison inmates and know the ins and outs of prison life. Glad to see the level of posters had taken a step up.

There are other ways of spending time in prison then being an inmate.

I've done a couple 30 day stints in county - you are going to experience close to this...

it won't be like what you see on tv. The first 72 hours you'll be unlock down. 2 guys to a cell and only 1/2 hour out of the cell into a common area a day. You won't be able to do any exercise there outside of pushups. More than likely you'll bunk with someone coming down from some drug.

Then you'll be in general pop. but it's not like prison where you have free roam. I was locked into a dorm which roomed 32 mates. Only 1 hour outside ever other day. Other than pacing back and forth in the dorm you won't be able to work your legs. pushups and such are the only option there as well.

Basically you won't be able to run at all while in jail as even during your "exercise" time every other day you aren't allowed to run, only walk.

And don't worry about all these "bubba" remarks. You won't be raped. No one will fight unless they already know each other from the outside. Jail is not prison. People are doing their month and getting out, or waiting to be sent to prison. Just don't be stupid and piss people off, keep to yourself and don't ask questions you shouldn't. Oh, respect the guards. One wrong look and you'll get thrown into solitary. They don't put up with jokers and such.

chances are you'll get out with muscles in atrophete (sp?).

Wouldnt solitary be preferable? If I was in the clink, solitary would be my goal. I can't imagine spending 24x7 with the low life dregs, junkies, and gnag bangers who inhabit the typical incarceratory establishment.

I'll bet an ascot is not even required in the jail dining room!

Biff L. wrote:

Wouldnt solitary be preferable? If I was in the clink, solitary would be my goal. I can't imagine spending 24x7 with the low life dregs, junkies, and gnag bangers who inhabit the typical incarceratory establishment.

I'll bet an ascot is not even required in the jail dining room!

What would be your better reason for being there?

Good Luck OP. 30 days shouldn't be too bad but you'll probably be in over Christmas which is probably the worse time to be locked up.

I'm in the same situation. I'm getting sentenced in 2 weeks and will probably get 12 - 18 months. Worse thing for me is I have a 9 month old baby so will miss see him start to walk, first Christmas and all that but I know it's my own fault. And my girlfriend. If it was only myself it wouldn't be so bad.

I don't think prison is as bad here but it's still prison. I know a few lads who have been inside and I know we do get gym time - probably only once a week but that's still something. It's teh same over here about not being allowed run in the yard - which is crazy. They let you walk around or hang out and smoke instead!

First time in proper prison for me but did 3 months in army jail over here when I was 19/20. That was some experience. Definitely no worries about keeping fit in there. You were worked from early to late and got plenty of running and training. Leaving there I was stronger and fitter than I had ever been before.