Workouts Designed Just for Truck Drivers
February 24, 2016 | ab crunches, exercises, hand stretches, jogging, planks, resistance bands, running, truck, truck drivers, truck workouts, Truckers, walking | No Comments
| Listen up, truckers! The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that in 2014, 70 percent of drivers are at an unhealthy weight. Now, before you go getting all disinterested in what I have to say, at least, listen to this. Don’t you want to keep driving (and living) for a very long time? If you do, then we can help you and your trucking brothers beat this unpleasant statistic. Check out these workouts designed just for truckers – yes, you! We’ve found exercises you can do, even when you spend the majority of your day in a truck.
Hand Stretches
You wouldn’t think it, but driving multiple hours a day, gripping a steering wheel can have detrimental effects on your hands. And hey, your hands are pretty important. You need them to drive and to help you eat healthier. So give these hand stretches a try to rid yourself of the stiffness and pain you get from driving all day.
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Place your fingertips on the steering wheel and then press in with your palm. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other hand.
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Rotate your wrist in small circles or from left to right.
Planks
Similar to the planks you might carry in your trailer, doing planks (the exercise) for a couple of seconds at a rest stop is a great way to build up your core. You can do this little exercise in your sleeper cab or even hop out of your truck and give it a go.
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Put something soft on the ground to keep your elbows and arms from getting scraped while doing this exercise. A towel works great.
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Place your forearms and hands on the ground with your palms down and flat.
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Put your legs behind you with all of your weight resting on your toes—similar to what a push-up would look like.
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Keep your entire body straight. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat.
Ab Crunches
So this exercise is something you can do while you’re driving. Crazy, right? Now you have no excuse! These ab crunches are a type of exercise you can do while at a stoplight or even while cruising down the highway. To do it:
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Squeeze your abdominal muscles.
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Hold for as long as you can. Try going for the length of a song or the wait at a stoplight.
Walking
Every time you get out of your truck, you need to do at least 15 minutes of walking, jogging, or running. It’s important for your weight and for the health of your heart that you get some cardio. Your job requires you to sit for the entire time, limiting your body from warding off disease and weight gain. So next time you’re at a truck stop, tell yourself that you have to do some sort of physical activity. Trust me, it’s important.
Resistance Bands
Want to build muscles while on the road? Well, thanks to resistance bands, now you can! These bands are great additions to any workout because of their portable nature and the variety of exercises you can do with them. From leg extensions, to leg curls, to squats, all you need is a resistance band and you’re on your way to building a stronger, more healthy body.
So truckers, are you ready to start being healthy on and off the road? We hope so! We want those unpleasant statistics to disappear. Let’s make it happen!
Do you do any exercises while out on the road? If so, let us know in the comment section below or share with us on our Facebook page.