How Truck Drivers Can Stay Fit Year-Round, Even From the Bunk
- Marjorie Kirkover
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Greetings, fellow drivers! It’s an exciting time of year for sure…summer is here now, and the weather has gotten quite a bit warmer around much of the country. I find this particularly exciting because I can get out again and exercise with my dogs on my 30-minute breaks, and I can wear athletic shoes instead of clunky boots and heavy coats. I really missed getting outdoors daily, stretching, and just enjoying movement during the long driving shifts. I realize that I have slacked off a bit (well, more than a bit) since the weather got cold, and it’s actually pretty apparent in a concrete way, as I recently reviewed the results of my yearly lab tests (you know— A1C, cholesterol, and all that good stuff). Now I know for certain that those daily exercise sessions really do have a significant impact on my overall health.
In fact, I truly thought the best part of my daily exercise routine was all about walking and/or jogging, and that’s why I inadvertently regarded exercising in the truck (which obviously involves some ingenuity to make up for lack of space) as fairly ineffective and inconvenient, in general.
But since then I’ve changed my mind…or my entire mindset, actually! There are plenty of other good ways to stay fit while you’re in the truck, even though they may not feel as exciting or impactful as some of the full-on outdoor activities.
Some research and discussion with my doctor has, in fact, shown to be beneficial, and I’d like to share with you what I learned: mixing your exercise routine is extremely effective, and it can actually be fun to develop and implement new habits and techniques into your daily routine! In fact, a mixture of cardio, strength training, resistance exercises, and high-intensity workouts will optimize your results.
Equipped with this new knowledge and a mindset that now accepts that it’s not always possible to do those preferred outdoor activities, as well as a healthy dose of motivation after seeing my less than perfect numbers from the lab, I’ve set out to create a more consistent and effective plan for daily exercise, and it includes a bit of everything from walking outside, to lifting free weights, to resistance training and strength exercises, high-intensity exercise, and now my new favorite…Yoga!
Now, in case there is anyone out there who needs ideas or even a little inspiration, please note the following fun fact: Exercising in the truck doesn’t have to be all about pull-ups or sit-ups. You can incorporate some really good yoga moves to help with toning and stretching, and overall joint health. Now I do carry a yoga mat with me, but it’s not really for the faint of heart because a lot of us don’t like to pull that mat out in public and get busy on the side of the truck stop or somewhere else! But my research has keyed me in on some trending exercises that can be done in bed! Now keep your mind out of the gutter, and let me share a link with you:
The good news about doing these exercises is that the majority of the space we have in our truck is actually the bunk area. Yoga is excellent for winding down and relaxing before bed, too. There are lots of apps out there that you can download for free, and they offer techniques that range from beginner to advanced, so you can learn progressively throughout the year! I also strongly recommend getting a fitness tracker (I use an Apple Watch) to keep track of workouts, steps, calories, etc. It plays a huge role in keeping me accountable and motivated, and it may do the same for you.
Of course, be sure that you’re physically fit enough to do the types of exercises that you enjoy and, as always, consult your physician if you have any questions about your physical condition and ability to exercise regularly and safely.