Staying active is a difficult task for anyone who has a sedentary job. However, there are additional hurdles for truckers compared to those with an office job. Despite these challenges, regular physical activity is important for your health and is a worthwhile pursuit. It also may be easier than you think. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym every day to stay active as a trucker.
Here are some simple tips for getting your body moving every day on the road:
1. Walk or Run During Stops
You don’t need any special equipment to go for a short walk or a run. This makes it a great way for truckers to exercise since you won’t need to take up space in your truck to store any gear. All you need is a good pair of shoes.
If you have the time for a longer run, this is a great way to get your heart rate up. Otherwise, start with making a commitment to go for a five-to-ten-minute walk around the truck stop whenever you stop for fuel or a break. You’d be surprised how quickly these small walks add up.
Remember to keep your personal safety in mind and pay attention to your surroundings. Stay in well-lit areas, avoid using headphones, and make sure your truck is locked any time you step away from it.
2. Incorporate Strength/Resistance Training
In addition to daily walks/runs, it’s helpful to incorporate some strength training. This can seem daunting since you can’t keep a full set of weights in your truck, but the good news is you don’t need to. There are many gravity/bodyweight exercises, like push-ups and sit-ups, that you can do without any equipment at all.
If you have room for a small amount of equipment, resistance bands are a great investment, or a pair of small weights if you prefer. These open up many possibilities for exercises you can do without even leaving your cab. As a result, it’s easier to incorporate some exercise before you go to sleep or right when you wake up in the morning. Again, you don’t have to commit a long stretch of time to working out. Take whatever time you have. Even five minutes makes a difference over time.
3. Fit in Longer Workouts When You Can
If you find that you are enjoying staying active and want to work out more often or for longer stretches of time, it’s possible to find ways to do this even as an over-the-road (OTR) trucker. To start, you can extend the length of some of your runs or resistance work-outs. Start with taking thirty minutes once a week, and once this is a routine, you can increase the number of days a week that you do.
Should You Get a Gym Membership As a Trucker?
Many gyms have locations across the country, so getting a membership is an option if it interests you. Keep in mind that you’ll need to make sure any location you stop at has parking that can accommodate a semi-truck. You may need to get creative to work longer gym workouts into your trip plan, but it’s far from impossible, and many truckers do so. If you’re passionate about fitness, this is something to consider, but it’s not a requirement to stay active.
Additionally, many truck stops are starting to add fitness centers. These are easier for truckers to use since you know their parking can accommodate you, and you’ll be stopping at these locations for breaks and fuel anyway.
Work For A Trucking Company That Cares
If you’re a truck driver and are looking for a motor carrier where the management will know you by name, not by truck number, DSW is hiring. We have OTR and regional routes available.
