Over the Road Exercise
March 31, 2014
There are many obstacles to getting a good workout on the road. Truck stops aren’t always the safest or most comfortable places to workout, and often there are other issues such as weather and time constraints. However, at the end of the day, it always helps to get in at least a little bit of exercise. It strengthens the heart and muscles, relieves soreness and back pain, burns fat, sharpens the mind, and helps with sleeping problems.
This list of workout equipment was made with the trucker in mind. The items are all space-savers, and don’t cost much. They are easy to use. And, most of the exercises can be done in the cab.
Dumbbells. A classic in the weight training world, dumbbells are an efficient workout tool. They come in a variety of weights, and can be used in a variety of routines to get a full body workout. Check out this video for a great full body workout you can do anywhere:
Resistance bands. Resistance bands can provide a complete workout in the cab, including cardio, strength training and flexibility. They come in light, medium and heavy resistances, and you can use multiple bands at a time to provide even more resistance lbs. There is even a resistance workout system specifically designed for truckers called the FIT system, by Freightliner. The mounting system lets you easily attach the resistance bands to existing mounting points in the sleeper cab. The included training manual and instructional video make a great resource for exercises, especially with the extra focus on rotator cuff and lower back problems, which are common in the trucking industry. However, if you just want to get a few cheap resistance bands, then there are plenty of instructional videos on YouTube.
Portable stepper. Portable steppers are surprisingly affordable, sturdy and take up very little space. Check out these mini steppers on Amazon for a full range of prices and sizes. With this piece of equipment, you’ll be able to get all the benefits of a good run without having to leave the cab.
Jump rope. This is probably the cheapest, smallest, easiest thing you can use to get in a good cardio workout. A quick 10-minute session in the morning will give you plenty of energy for the day’s drive, and shorter sessions when you brake for fuel will revive sore muscles and get the blood pumping again to prevent fatigue.
Remember, it’s important to do a quick warm up before any workout routine, and a cool down after each activity. This will prevent pulled muscles and post-workout soreness. See the Mayo Clinic’s advice on how to warm up and cool down here.
CDL for the Hearing Impaired
March 30, 2014
If you want to be a trucker and are deaf, hard-of-hearing or slowly losing your hearing capabilities, then you may still be able to get your Commercial Drivers license and become a truck driver in the U.S.
While the Department of Transportation (DOT) has previously required drivers to pass a hearing test, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) may now be able to help you get your license even if you can’t pass the DOT’s hearing requirements. For more information, see the NAD’s information page on Commercial Driver’s Licenses.
Citizen Driver Award
March 29, 2014
If you’re looking for a top-notch example of today’s truckers, then look no further than the drivers nominated for this year’s Citizen Driver Award. Of the many nominations, 14 finalists were chosen with the intention of awarding 6 winners. However, incredibly impressive credentials resulted in 7 winners being chosen:
Henry Albert, Jimmy Ardis, Bob and Linda Caffee, Charles Endorff, Jerry Fritts, Shawn Hubbard and Norman Knight
The TravelCenters of America intiated the Citizen Driver program in 2013 “to honor the many great, hardworking professional truck drivers moving loads to keep our economy going”. Each winner will get a TA Petro of their choice renamed in their honor.
Industry Leaders Discuss Trucking Challenges
March 29, 2014
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA) got together for a panel discussion on the challenges facing today’s trucking industry. They discussed government regulations, highway repairs, natural gas solutions and the driver shortage, including higher wages and a better work environment.
“Staying Alive on I-75”
March 28, 2014
Six states along the I-75 corridor will be participating in an initiative to prevent road fatalities this weekend. The safety blitz has been named “Staying Alive on I-75”, and will have officers on the lookout for distracted driving, aggressive driving, speeding, seat belt use and commercial vehicle safety.
This safety blitz is part of a larger campaign called “Drive to Zero Fatalities”, which will continue long after the push this weekend. Participating states include Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan.
Trucking Moves America Forward
March 28, 2014
A new campaign aims to improve the image of America’s truckers. The “$5 Million Facelift” called Trucking Moves America Forward is quickly gaining support, with both the ATA (American Trucking Association) and the OOIDA (Owner Operator Independent Drivers Assocaition) hopping on board. See the full story here:
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/the-5-million-facelift-for-trucking/
FMCSA Tries to Prevent Driver Harassment
March 27, 2014
The FMCSA’s recent proposal mandating Electronic On Board Recorders (EOBRs) also includes a list of safeguards to prevent the legislation from being used to harass drivers. The safeguards include an explicit ban on harassment, drivers rights to access their own records, ability to file complaints, stronger penalties to prevent harassment, ability to silence device when off duty, right to edit logs, limited tracking of vehicle location, and personal data privacy.
Many drivers are outraged by the mandated EOBRs due to the potential for carriers to use them unethically, however these safeguards may help prevent harassment.
Truckin’ Runner
March 27, 2014
Jeff Clark is a Kewaunee trucker who has figured out how to live a healthier lifestyle, even when making the long haul. After training at home and on the road, he has been able to participate in multiple marathons and become an inspiration to everyone trying to get in shape despite the demands of the trucking industry. See the full story here:
http://www.wbay.com/story/25060683/2014/03/24/trucker-turns-runner
Why Truckers Need People Skills
March 26, 2014
Truckers are known as fiercely-independent, strong-minded loners that couldn’t give two hoots what anybody thinks of them. However, the most successful truck drivers understand the value in good people skills. They know how to charm better runs, better trucks, more miles and special favors out of their support staff. They are great communicators, and have good interactions with dock workers, DOT officers, safety directors, logbook auditors, load planners, mechanics and other drivers.
When it comes down to it, your ability to drive isn’t the only thing that matters. It certainly helps to be a safe and reliable driver, to be able to make shipments consistently on time and to get the job done right. But, to get the job in the first place, it takes people in the office making sales, coordinating pickups and drop offs, tracking driving hours and maintaining vehicles, among many other duties. Getting along with this support personnel will make your life easier, while getting on their bad side will make them far less likely to ever want to help you out.
Wipers for Your Mirrors
March 26, 2014
For most truckers, getting more miles means getting more money. That means that whenever inclement weather hits, and drivers must pull over to wipe off their rearview mirrors, they are losing precious time to rack up miles before they reach their HOS limit. However, this simple yet ingeniously-practical invention may help: