The Twilight Workout: Stay Safe While Exercising After Work -- And After Nightfall

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"NEW MOON," the latest installment of the "Twilight" saga, opens in theaters this Friday, promising viewers a look into the darkest period of heroine Bella Swan's life. Although most of us probably can't relate to the travails of loving a 100-something-year-old vampire with pals who'd like to sink their teeth into you, the dark part we get — the shortest day of the year is just one month away, and ever since daylight-savings time ended, work often requires waking up before dawn and not heading home until after dusk.

That means most of our workouts these days (or, er, nights) are going to be while the sun is hiding, so it's a fitting time to think about how to exercise like a vampire.
When it comes to running, vamps' lightening-quick speed just comes naturally, but humans have to work at it. And while the undead don't mind going undetected, that's not going to fly for us fangless folks.

"You want to be spotted out there," says Kathy Dalby, co-owner of the local Pacers running store chain, who recommends products that advertise "360 degrees of reflectivity" with slivers of silver that make you hard to miss. One favorite: the Nightlife line from Brooks, which features jackets, vests, pants and more in a blinding yellow hue.

It's also critical to be aware of your surroundings, even if you're not nervous about bumping into a bloodsucker. "You have to watch out more," Dalby says. "A lot of people go running with headphones, and you really shouldn't do that at night." A better distraction is a friend, or even a pack, as there's safety in numbers. She recommends the fun runs that depart from all five Pacers stores every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m., and the Fairfax 4-Miler, a Pacers-sponsored race on New Year's Eve that starts at 7 p.m., giving a leg up to night owls.

Cyclists, especially commuters, have to deal with most of the same concerns. But unlike reckless runners who can dash around in the dark wearing whatever they feel like, cyclists had better make sure their bikes are outfitted with a front white light and a rear red reflector (or light). It's the law in D.C., Maryland and Virginia — for good reason, because going sans illumination is more dangerous than getting a paper cut at a birthday party of vampires. Just 3 percent of bike rides take place at night, but more than half of all cyclists killed are hit while riding at night without lights, notes Washington Area Bicyclist Association's Chantal Buchser.

If you don't want to worry so much about wardrobe and gear, you can always exercise indoors at night. Many people do, says Shawn M. Thomas, a trainer for Results, who works with clients only after his day job.

The biggest hurdle is often bringing energy levels up, because unlike members of the Cullen family (who require no sleep), we do. After a long day at the office, exertion doesn't always sound like much fun. "Someone who sits behind a computer all day takes a little while to get revved up," Thomas says. But as long as you've eaten and hydrated properly — with water, not blood — you may find that post-work is actually the best time for your body to move.

While the standard advice is to exercise in the morning, that's because you're less likely to have excuses to skip and it can rev up your metabolism for the day. In terms of athletic performance, studies have shown the human body is really at its best between 4 and 7 p.m. Or, in other words, at twilight.

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