Truckers spend so much time on the road that finding time for exercising can seem like a nearly impossible task. However, experienced drivers have come to realize that exercise is possible by knowing the right ones to do – and how to schedule them creatively. Unbeknownst to many, there are truck-stop gyms and in-cab workout systems popping up all over the place as of late that help keep truckers in shape.
The following represent five exercises and steps that long-haul truckers, in particular, can do to stay in shape regardless of how many days a year they spend on the road.
1. Take Advantage of Surroundings
What do we mean by this? Well, take note if there are trails near your stop or some other place where you can get out and run. Take into consideration truck-stop gyms, as we mentioned above; if there’s something around you that aids in exercise, take full advantage…especially those gyms. Even if it’s just a simple park that’s nearby, run a few laps.
2. Keep Healthy Snacks Onboard
We know it’s difficult to resist keeping candy and soda in the cab, but by keeping more healthy snacks within arm’s reach, you will be compelled to consume healthy items. The last thing you want to do is pour empty calories into your body.
3. Grab Some Small Equipment
There are plenty of exercise equipment types small enough to travel with you – yet they can also be very effective. Some examples include suspension cables, a kettlebell, a resistance exercise band, dumbbells, a rebounder, or even a folding bike, all of which can do wonders for you when exercising on the road. There are also systems that allow you to work out in your cab, as we mentioned above.
4. Stick to 15 Minutes – No Matter What
Try to exercise vigorously for 15 minutes a day, regardless of what’s going on – it could be as rudimentary and elemental as pushups or crunches on the ground. Trust us when we say those 15 minutes add up to hours per week, and your body will definitely be able to discern the difference it makes.
5. Workout While Driving
Don’t think it’s possible to work out while piloting that long-haul truck? Consider an abdominal crunch, wherein you squeeze your abs and hold it for the length of a song (or at least two minutes). Repeat this move at every red light to put yourself on a schedule. Another thing you can engage in is shoulder shrugs, which are a great relief of tension that can build up around the neck after all that time on the road. Shoulder shrugs can also be done at red lights if desired; the goal here is to lift the shoulders up to the ears as if you’re shrugging, then slowly release them. This can be repeated 15 times in a row, or more, whenever you feel tension building in that area of the body.
The truck driving lifestyle poses a myriad of challenges, but it can also be very rewarding. Organizations are setting standards in this area that empower a secure supply chain – and exercise is one of the factors coming along for the ride.
