Road Workouts for Truck Drivers: Part 1

A sedentary lifestyle (even when your seat is covering miles of road each day) is bad for your health. Combining regular exercise with healthy eating habits can help make up for the amount of time you spend sitting.

The driving experts at RoadMaster have some great tips to get you up and running--or at least stretching often and walking briskly.

Take Proper Precautions

First, check with your doctor to make sure you don't have any underlying health problems that could affect a new workout regimen. Whenever you're trying something new, be especially aware of your form to maximize your workout's effectiveness and safety. If your company has a training program or there's a gym near home, see if you can set up a few meetings with a trainer who can observe your routine and make suggestions to improve it. Don't forget to rest between workouts! Recovery is when your muscles rebuild after all that exertion. One of the great things about being on the road is that you don't need a lot of gear to workout—you can push or pull on the giant immobile object that gets you from point A to point B!—just make sure you test the stability and functionality of any equipment before you put your weight on it. And Accessories like stretch bands, dumbbells, jump ropes, and even a yoga mat can fit easily in your cab.

Cardio

Cardiovascular workouts cover all manner of moving and shaking, from walking to jumping rope, running to a spin class. Target your legs, shoulders, back, core, and arms—and you're strengthening your lungs and stamina too. If you're out of shape, go easy as you gear up for a cardio workout. And remember, 30 minutes of steady walking will do you more good than a series of springs. Keep moving at a regular pace to raise your heart rate, and be sure rehydrate afterwards. You can find stretching and beginner yoga videos online to help you cool down and keep your muscles from stiffening right back up. Check out part 2 for mosre exercises you can take with you on your route!