Jump Ropes are easy to take in the truck and provide a great cardio workout.
It’s no secret that trucker drivers lead a sedentary life. The lifestyle of an over the road truck driver demands 10 hours+ behind the wheel and if you want to do your job right, there is no way around it. Adding physical activity to your daily routine can, at first, seem like more trouble than it’s worth, but if you look further down the road you many change your mind.
Staying active has many health benefits. Not only does it help you burn off the calories of that Big Buddy burger you just ate, it will help you sleep better at night, keep your bones and muscles stronger, increase your mobility and help you live longer. Plus it can help relieve stress and you’ll feel better.
Did you know that adults between the ages of 18 and 65 should be completing at least 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic physical activity a week? This can be broken down over multiple days and even multiple sessions; as little as 10-minute intervals can make a difference to your health.
Here are three simple activities you can do to stay active on the road. Rotate through them to change your routine from day to day.
Walking – Walking briskly for 30 minutes helps you burn fat, strengthens your bones, improves your endurance, protects your heart, improves your mood and raises your cognitive abilities. So not only are you getting a work out; you’re increasing your abilities to learn, problem-solve, and pay attention – which your wife will love.
Jump Rope – it’s like weight training for your cardiovascular system. Kick your cardio into high gear by jumping rope. Exercising with a jump rope is a great way to improve the muscle tone in your legs and lower body. Start off slowly and build up your endurance levels until you can jump rope for 30 minutes at a time.
Did you know that adults between the ages of 18 and 65 should be completing strengthening activities, like push-ups, sit-ups and lifting weights at least two days a week?
Resistance Bands – are inexpensive and easy to take along in the truck. Resistance bands come in multiple tension levels making it simple and easy to get started or increase your workout. Using resistance bands you will improve your balance, strengthen muscles, help prevent injuries and challenge yourself increasingly. For some great resistance band exercises check out http://greatist.com/fitness/resistance-band-exercises
Remember to take it slow at first, increasing your daily activity a little at a time. If you over do it, you could end up hurting yourself. Also it’s a good idea to note that if you have medical conditions you should consult a doctor before implementing any physical activity routine into your daily life.
As part of our commitment to our driver’s health, Len Dubois Trucking now provides a healthy living section on our blog. Written by truck drivers for truck drivers. We will share healthy, easy to prepare recipes and article on healthy living for truck drivers.
