Staying In Shape

I just wanted to ask the experienced drivers how they stay in shape. It is actually one of my primary concerns for beginning a career in trucking. Is it possible to develop a regular exercise routine while driving OTR? Any advice or comments will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I can't say that I'm an experienced driver but this issue is one that I also have thought about. My plan is to develop an exercise routine that I can do in or around the truck. A small set of weights to work on each night, jump rope, and even going for a short run. There are all kinds of exercieses one can do in a small space. You can always do your workout after you shutdown for the day or before you head out. This may sound strange but check out prison workout routines on the net. You would be surprised at how creative these guys are at developing a workout that keeps them in top shape while living in a 6x9 cell. I hope this helps.

You know, it doesn't take much. You don't have to be a marathon runner. It's the little things that can add up. I'd always park as far away from the entrance of the truck stops as possible. Not only does it force you to walk, but it's generally quieter in the back with less of a chance of being backed into. I'd even pick the furthest fuel island from the store if I had the opportunity. I also had a little trick when doing my daily pre-trip. Usually I'd get lazy and just walk around once or twice. But if I felt I needed to move around a bit, I'd walk around the truck a couple dozen times. For every item I checked, I'd make a complete circle around the truck. So for example, I'd check my steer tire then walk all the way around before checking the next tire, then walk all the way around before checking the next one.... and so on. Not only are you exercising, but if you walk around the truck 25 or 50 times you're bound to see nearly every nick, scratch, and dent on the thing let alone any major issues you may have missed the first 49 times. Grin During the half way point of your day, stop at a rest area. Many rest areas are very well maintained. I used to just walk along the perimeter sometimes for 10 minutes or so. Just to get the blood flowin' again. The trucking industry is going through a huge transition right now. Staying healthy is becoming more of an issue each year.

A lot of truckers use resistance bands and start a resistance training program. You can use resistance bands either inside the truck or outside. A simple set of dumbbells or weights won't take up much room either. But I'd say the main thing is to just keep moving. You don't need a rigorous workout or anything. No matter what you do, you might feel a bit funny or embarrassed at first doing these weird things outside of your truck. But if you pay close attention to other drivers, you'll see that some of them get real creative these days on how to stay in shape. You might even pick up on a few ideas. Anytime I saw a driver doing some sort of workout outside his truck, I never thought to myself "wow, that's weird." I always thought to myself, "I really should be doing that, too."

This is just my personal opinion. While finding time is doable sometimes its not practical. After driving 10 to 11 hours you will be ready for bed and go to be if you are smart. Cause you will be expected to be up and running 10 hours after you shutdown. While you could excerise after your drive shift for an hour then fight to get a shower for another hour to hour and a half which leaves you about 7.5 hours to eat and sleep. While out on the road you will have to learn time management and learn to prioritize what's important. The truck and the load and your job come first above all else including personal time. Now that's not saying you can't find the time to exercise. Many do but its not going to happen everyday. If you are with a company and they are using you like they should and your hours are being used then you will get to ride a bike every other week during your 34 hour restart. Now if you have time to exercise everyday then you might need to question why your not getting the miles you could be getting.

I can't say that I'm an experienced driver but this issue is one that I also have thought about. My plan is to develop an exercise routine that I can do in or around the truck. A small set of weights to work on each night, jump rope, and even going for a short run. There are all kinds of exercieses one can do in a small space. You can always do your workout after you shutdown for the day or before you head out. This may sound strange but check out prison workout routines on the net. You would be surprised at how creative these guys are at developing a workout that keeps them in top shape while living in a 6x9 cell. I hope this helps.

Thank you for the response it is really appreciated. I actually do Tai Chi and have some resistance bands so your input is going along way to help me prepare for the upcoming lifestyle change.

You know, it doesn't take much. You don't have to be a marathon runner. It's the little things that can add up. I'd always park as far away from the entrance of the truck stops as possible. Not only does it force you to walk, but it's generally quieter in the back with less of a chance of being backed into. I'd even pick the furthest fuel island from the store if I had the opportunity. I also had a little trick when doing my daily pre-trip. Usually I'd get lazy and just walk around once or twice. But if I felt I needed to move around a bit, I'd walk around the truck a couple dozen times. For every item I checked, I'd make a complete circle around the truck. So for example, I'd check my steer tire then walk all the way around before checking the next tire, then walk all the way around before checking the next one.... and so on. Not only are you exercising, but if you walk around the truck 25 or 50 times you're bound to see nearly every nick, scratch, and dent on the thing let alone any major issues you may have missed the first 49 times. Grin During the half way point of your day, stop at a rest area. Many rest areas are very well maintained. I used to just walk along the perimeter sometimes for 10 minutes or so. Just to get the blood flowin' again. The trucking industry is going through a huge transition right now. Staying healthy is becoming more of an issue each year.

A lot of truckers use resistance bands and start a resistance training program. You can use resistance bands either inside the truck or outside. A simple set of dumbbells or weights won't take up much room either. But I'd say the main thing is to just keep moving. You don't need a rigorous workout or anything. No matter what you do, you might feel a bit funny or embarrassed at first doing these weird things outside of your truck. But if you pay close attention to other drivers, you'll see that some of them get real creative these days on how to stay in shape. You might even pick up on a few ideas. Anytime I saw a driver doing some sort of workout outside his truck, I never thought to myself "wow, that's weird." I always thought to myself, "I really should be doing that, too."

This is just my personal opinion. While finding time is doable sometimes its not practical. After driving 10 to 11 hours you will be ready for bed and go to be if you are smart. Cause you will be expected to be up and running 10 hours after you shutdown. While you could excerise after your drive shift for an hour then fight to get a shower for another hour to hour and a half which leaves you about 7.5 hours to eat and sleep. While out on the road you will have to learn time management and learn to prioritize what's important. The truck and the load and your job come first above all else including personal time. Now that's not saying you can't find the time to exercise. Many do but its not going to happen everyday. If you are with a company and they are using you like they should and your hours are being used then you will get to ride a bike every other week during your 34 hour restart. Now if you have time to exercise everyday then you might need to question why your not getting the miles you could be getting.

Daniel, Thank you for taking the time to respond. You've given me alot of ideas and answered some of the questions I didn't ask but was still thinking about. I'm hoping to learn how to apply my exercise routines in the course of the lifestyle changes that are going to happen when I hit the road. Cheers! Thanks again!