What Is 996 Work Culture and What It Means for Women's Health

You know that feeling when you look up from your desk and it's already dark outside?

When you promised yourself you'd make it to the gym tonight - but now you're still answering Slack messages at 8 p.m.?

When "just one more thing" turns into three more hours, and suddenly your entire evening is gone?

Yeah. That's what we need to talk about.

What Even Is 996?

The term 996 work culture started in tech: working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days a week.

Sounds extreme, right?

Here's the thing - most of us aren't working a literal 996 schedule. But we're living something pretty close to it.

Longer days. Blurred boundaries. Constant availability. And the feeling that there's never quite enough time to recover before the next day starts all over again.

If you're nodding along right now, you're not imagining it. And you're definitely not alone.

Why Your Workday Keeps Getting Longer (Even Though No One Said Anything)

Let's be honest - no one sent you an email saying, "Hey, your hours are changing."

But somewhere along the way, things shifted.

Maybe your team got smaller after layoffs. Maybe hiring slowed down and everyone's doing more with less. Maybe "end of day" used to mean 6 p.m., and now it quietly means 8 or 9.

Especially in tech-heavy cities, this pressure shows up early and sticks around.

Meetings run later. Deadlines get tighter. Slack pings don't stop. And somehow, taking a full lunch break starts to feel almost rebellious.

The change is subtle. It doesn't announce itself.

But your body? Your body notices.

What Happens When Your Days Stretch Too Long

Here's what extended work hours actually look like in real life:

You skip your workout because the day ran long - again.

You eat lunch at your desk. Or forget lunch entirely.

You stay up later trying to decompress, which means you sleep less. Which means you wake up already tired.

And the gym membership you're paying for? It's collecting dust because by the time you're free, you're too drained to go.

This isn't a motivation problem.

It's not about discipline or willpower or "just making it happen."

Research from the Cleveland Clinic shows that working more than 55 hours a week can have serious negative effects on your health - including increased risk of heart disease, sleep problems, and weight gain. Your body is being asked to do more with less rest, less movement, and less recovery - and eventually, something's gotta give.

You wake up tired. You go to bed tired. Tired becomes your new normal. That tension in your shoulders becomes background noise. Soreness you used to bounce back from now lingers for days.

You're not falling apart. But you're definitely not thriving either.

Why "Normal" Fitness Doesn't Work When Your Schedule Isn't Normal

Most gyms are built around one big assumption: that your schedule is predictable.

That you can make it to a 6 p.m. class every Tuesday and Thursday.

That you have the energy to navigate crowds, wait for equipment, and deal with guys interrupting your workout to chat.

That you're mentally and emotionally ready to perform in a packed, high-energy space after a 12-hour workday.

But when your hours are long and unpredictable? Those assumptions fall apart fast.

And here's the kicker: research published by the American College of Sports Medicine confirms what you already know - lack of time and unpredictable schedules are among the top barriers to exercise adherence, especially for working adults.

What breaks first isn't your commitment.

It's your access.

One late meeting, one deadline shift, one exhausting week - and your entire fitness routine vanishes.

If staying consistent requires perfect conditions, it's not going to last.

What Actually Works When Work Won't Let Up

When your workdays expand, your self-care can't just disappear.

It has to get simpler. Quieter. More flexible.

Here's what holds up under pressure:

Flexible access so you can train when your energy allows - not when a class schedule permits.

A calm, private space where you don't have to perform, explain yourself, or navigate social dynamics.

No friction, no crowds, no waiting - just you and the workout you came for.

Because when you only have 30 minutes and you're already running on fumes, every extra obstacle matters.

Strength training in this context isn't about transformation or crushing goals.

It's about maintenance.

It's about keeping your body strong enough to carry the weight of long days without breaking down.

And that requires consistency - not perfection.

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Why Eden Gets It

I built Eden for women whose lives don't fit into neat little time blocks.

For women who can't promise they'll make it to a 7 a.m. class every week - but who still need a place to move their bodies and feel strong.

Here's what that looks like at Eden:

24-hour access (Private Women's Gym) means you can train at 6 a.m. before work, 9 p.m. after work, or whenever your schedule allows.

A private, women-only space (Learn More) means no performance anxiety, no guys approaching you, no waiting for equipment, no energy wasted on anything except your workout.

Clean, calm, and thoughtfully designed so the moment you walk in, you can exhale. No chaos. No distractions. Just you and what your body needs.

For women navigating long or unpredictable workdays, this isn't a luxury.

It's survival.

You're Not Escaping Responsibility - You're Maintaining the Body That Carries It

Let's be clear: taking care of yourself isn't selfish.

It's not indulgent.

It's not something you get to do only after everything else is perfectly handled.

Your body is what carries you through those long days.

And if you don't maintain it - if you don't give it movement, strength, and recovery - it will eventually stop being able to carry the load.

This isn't about escaping your responsibilities.

It's about making sure you can keep showing up for them.

A Final Thought

Terms like 996 will come and go.

But extended workdays? Those aren't going anywhere.

And your body doesn't adapt indefinitely without support.

The care that lasts is the kind that's quiet, flexible, and built to hold your real life - not some fantasy version where everything goes according to plan.

It doesn't require perfect conditions.

It just requires access - and a space that makes it easier, not harder.

If your schedule is unpredictable, your fitness routine doesn't have to be.

When you're ready to train on your terms - in a space that actually gets what you're dealing with - we're here.

Ready to move on your schedule? Learn more about Eden's private, women-only gym in San Francisco with 24-hour access designed for real life.

With strength and solidarity,

This article is meant to inform, inspire, and support your wellness journey, not to replace professional medical advice. Please consult with your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your health or fitness routine, especially if you're taking prescription medications. Read our full Terms & Conditions.