National Gym Memberships

Any drivers out there who are also health- and exercise-minded and actually managed to remain fit?

My plan was either keep my Gold's membership or find a gym with more nationwide facilities (depending on the company i go with and the the services areas) and use it OTR for personal exercising. Thought also includes doubling it as a shower spot, since most facilities (if not all) also includes showers.

While I understand I may not be able to park at a facility, I figure I'd be able to come in just enough to use a bicycle or to walk, even if it's still a couple miles away. Just chalk it up as extra exercise LOL

But I am curious if anyone shared this same goal of using nationwide gyms while OTR and have succeeded. I think it can be doable, just not incredibly conveniently.

Oh, and no, the gym wouldn't be for treadmills. I can walk/run around on breaks for that! I actually use gyms for the gym things (the equip) and spend a while, haha. Don't quite think jugs of water will do for deadlifts, so yeah, anyone with experience as OTR driver with a nationwide gym membership?

The larger companies have offered that kind of thing from time to time but it's incredibly difficult to get yourself to one of those gyms. They're normally in highly congested areas with little or no truck parking. You would have to drop your trailer somewhere and bobtail over there or take a cab if you're close enough for that to be reasonable. It's doable, but I think you'll find it takes so much time and effort to get there that you'll normally be too busy or it won't be worth the hassle.

I think the best compromise is finding ways to exercise where and when you get the chance. Jogging, yoga, dumbbells, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises are all fantastic ways to get your exercise with minimal fuss.

Your schedule is so busy and erratic that it's nearly impossible to know where and when you'll get the opportunity to hit a gym. And most drivers, especially that first year, spend most of their time driving or sleeping because it's such an exhausting schedule.

I used to run a lot and I had dumbbells with me. If I was doing it today I would do bodyweight exercises, yoga, possibly resistance bands, and maybe a little bit of running. Going to a gym just really wasn't feasible most of the time.

I know Prime has a fitness/health program that I see promoted quite a bit (I never looked into it, I'm kind of lazy). I run across guys working out at truckstops sometimes.

I would think there is a lot you could do with a couple Dumbbells, a jump rope, and maybe some resistance bands if you were committed. You aren't going to be getting big gains with that kind of setup, but you could definitely remain tone and in great shape.

But the only exercise I get is fighting with landing gear, so hopefully someone with some more experience will reply.

As long as I have a little time each week to make some laps around a parking lot, and work with some dumbells, I'll be happy with that. Anything to keep the blood pumping and not get stagnant.

As long as I have a little time each week to make some laps around a parking lot, and work with some dumbells, I'll be happy with that. Anything to keep the blood pumping and not get stagnant.

I work with some dumbells and walk around the shop a lot. Does that count?

Thank you all for the input. I'm already aware it may be difficult and is unorthodox of a typical trucker's life. Personally speaking, I will not be content with "just getting the blood pumping" with stuff that can be done anywhere (i.e. laps, biking, dumbbells, stretches), which was already indicated and mentioned would be done on the norm anyway in the question. I'll be figuring out a way to get the heavy weights workouts (i.e. "gym rat", with various weights and machines) at a gym into my schedule -- it doesn't need to be routine and nightly, but as often as my schedule and routes would allow. I'd naturally be looking into gyms with 24-hour access (already have an account with Gold's, but that doesn't mean it's a good membership for nationwide gyms).... so scheduling is impertinent, even less so considering the heavy workouts are my stress relievers (and hence "worth the hassle", especially if it's also doubled as a shower stop). Obviously, I'm into fitness (again, "gym rat"), not just general "maintaining". I'm sure there's another driver out there who shares a similar level of ('shredded' or 'elite' might be appropriate word here) fitness/training that I'm seeking to continue onto the roads. I know they exist even if not prevalent, so... question of experiences with nationwide gym memberships while OTR still remains for the "shredded" drivers.

Please don't take offense by my response -- I did want to make it clear I wasn't looking for basic "anywhere" fitness tips! It had already been stated it'd be part of the OTR norm.

Matt M. - Thank you for mentioning a fitness program with Prime. I see they also have a pet policy. I shall look into it further! That's actually one question I will have for employers - what fitness incentives and programs/discounts they offer to their employees!

While I understand I may not be able to park at a facility, I figure I'd be able to come in just enough to use a bicycle or to walk, even if it's still a couple miles away. Just chalk it up as extra exercise LOL

Oh, and no, the gym wouldn't be for treadmills. I can walk/run around on breaks for that! I actually use gyms for the gym things (the equip) and spend a while, haha. Don't quite think jugs of water will do for deadlifts, so yeah, anyone with experience as OTR driver with a nationwide gym membership?

Yeah, I'm sure at least three-quarters of you have on that last reply with the thought of "Oh, just wait til you actually start driving!!!" Hahahahaha!!!!!

Still.... I'm going to be determined.

[ to me]

F.Y.I. - 32 times around an 18 wheeler = 1 mile

Chris, I did d running and walking on brakes around my truck in truck stops n rest stops, well few situations arose, one was that if I didn't time it close to my ten hrs brake the sweat turns into a bad funk after a while inside ur truck as u resume driving, two, in d truck stops u really have to be situational aware of other drivers so u don't cause an accident while ur running or walking, or u don't get run over urself, in winter it work out perfect not so much now in summer, my body still asks for PT everyday it's been hard to change n completely stop after doing in for 12 years in d Army, n I'm fresh out......out

Any drivers out there who are also health- and exercise-minded and actually managed to remain fit?

My plan was either keep my Gold's membership or find a gym with more nationwide facilities (depending on the company i go with and the the services areas) and use it OTR for personal exercising. Thought also includes doubling it as a shower spot, since most facilities (if not all) also includes showers.

While I understand I may not be able to park at a facility, I figure I'd be able to come in just enough to use a bicycle or to walk, even if it's still a couple miles away. Just chalk it up as extra exercise LOL

But I am curious if anyone shared this same goal of using nationwide gyms while OTR and have succeeded. I think it can be doable, just not incredibly conveniently.

Oh, and no, the gym wouldn't be for treadmills. I can walk/run around on breaks for that! I actually use gyms for the gym things (the equip) and spend a while, haha. Don't quite think jugs of water will do for deadlifts, so yeah, anyone with experience as OTR driver with a nationwide gym membership?

You could always unhook your trailer and do this: