Does Anyone Workout While On The Road?

About to go OTR again when I am done with my test. In the few years I have been out of trucking, fitness has become a huge part of my life. I lost over 100 pounds so far, and love lifting weights. I plan on getting an adjustable dumbbell set, and a collapsable weight bench to use after my shifts. Can hit most upper body muscle groups with just dumbbells.

Does anyone else do resistance training while on the road? Any tips or equipment you could recommend? I feel like everyone would be staring at me at the truck stop lifting weights outside my truck, but who cares. I never used resistance bands, but that could be a good option too. I wouldn't thing 100 pounds of extra weight from dumbells would be too much of a issue, since allot of people travel with passengers anyway.

You can do resistance training in your driver seat while driving if you get familiar with the method called Dynamic Tension. Google it to learn more. It is the method made popular by Charles Atlas many years ago. And you can use this method safely while driving.

I use it myself and the only things harder than my muscles are my arteries. Lol

Yes, using the seats and arm rests for dips, squats, decline and incline push ups, top bunk for kneeling pull-ups, reverse pull-ups. To do the pushup, extend from feet on the bed, hands on the cushions of left and right seat, then one handed and lead change.

It's entirely possible to achieve progressive overload and failure on each set using creative body weight exercises. Adding bands to the workout helps, along with a weight vest.

I've picked up a bit over 10 pounds of lean muscle gains but reduced waistline at the same time.

Yes, using the seats and arm rests for dips, squats, decline and incline push ups, top bunk for kneeling pull-ups, reverse pull-ups. To do the pushup, extend from feet on the bed, hands on the cushions of left and right seat, then one handed and lead change.

It's entirely possible to achieve progressive overload and failure on each set using creative body weight exercises. Adding bands to the workout helps, along with a weight vest.

I've picked up a bit over 10 pounds of lean muscle gains but reduced waistline at the same time.

Ill have to do some of those, pretty new to body weight exercises. Before I started going to the gym, I was never even able to do one push up. Even as a kid, since I was always fairly obese. Biggest worry going back OTR was my health. I just gotta take the time to get healthy foods and exercise. It's so easy to be in a rush and just get whatever fast food at a truck stop. Wish they had more delicious healthy options there.

If you want to exercise outside of your truck, do it. Don't worry if people watch. I have seen guys to all sorts of exercise. Best of luck to you.

I had some type of health event in October 2021 that was suspected as a possible cardiac issue so I went through an extensive workup with a cardiologist. Turned out to probably just be a nerve issue related to stress (this happened while I was at Mass, so that's strange). Anyways, my stress test results were "excellent, much better than expected" but the cardiologist stressed with me that I should have a more consistent routine and make a point to walk briskly for 30 minutes every day. I believe the other exercises are important also but there needs to be some focus to increase your heart rate over a 30 minute period.

I've undergone substantial changes in my routine since the beginning of last December, both in my diet and also in my exercise regimen.

As for exercise, I alternate almost daily between HIIT exercises (high-intensity interval training), vigorous walks of up to 5ish miles, multiple range of movement and body weight exercises, along with dumbbell routines.

I also practice intermittent fasting daily, usually on a 16/8 schedule of fasting/eating.

With all the changes I made at roughly the same time, it's hard to pinpoint which made the most difference. But I absolutely feel 100% better than I have in years, losing 20 lbs while also increasing lean muscle mass.

Whatever it takes to get yourself motivated is well worth it.

I had some type of health event in October 2021 that was suspected as a possible cardiac issue so I went through an extensive workup with a cardiologist. Turned out to probably just be a nerve issue related to stress (this happened while I was at Mass, so that's strange). Anyways, my stress test results were "excellent, much better than expected" but the cardiologist stressed with me that I should have a more consistent routine and make a point to walk briskly for 30 minutes every day. I believe the other exercises are important also but there needs to be some focus to increase your heart rate over a 30 minute period.

Harvey, I’m glad you didn’t have a Mass-ive heart attack at Mass.

I’m also walking more, but it is very painful. I’m going to strap my bicycle to the back of the truck next home time. I can ride a bike with very little pain and I too need the exercise.

All the key points were mentioned already - bodyweight training, a little aerobic exercise, and resistance bands. That will be the core of what you do.

Two things that very few people think about are flexibility and alignment (or posture). You want to ensure you have good flexibility throughout your body and work your joints through their full range of motion regularly.

Look for exercises that help improve posture and find a 20-minute yoga routine to do five days a week. Focus hard on your legs, hips, and back because problems with your posture or joints will work their way up the body.

For instance, if you have a tight calf on one side, it will change how you walk and throw your body out of alignment. You'll compensate for that tight calf by changing the way you walk, which can cause problems in your knees, hips, and lower back.

If your posture and flexibility are poor, you will have an array of problems with your muscles and joints.

Two things, first I was at a receiver and saw a guy outside his truck in the middle of a full workout, complete with a bench and dumbbells. I was impressed Secondly, I do work out some in the truck, but I also got a planet fitness membership. They have locations everywhere, and I can usually find a location that will easily allow me to park my truck. Bigger bonus to that is that the showers are usually decent, lot of times you can park overnight, and let’s just say that the scenery is better than the average Pilot or Loves…