Given the nature of the job, it’s often difficult for truckers to keep in shape. Truck driving is a stressful job, but you don’t exactly get to move around a lot when you’re pulling a long haul. To make things worse, there are a lot of “diets” out there, along with a mountain of misinformation that can be confusing to a lot of truck drivers. This week, we’re going to investigate some fitness myths to show you how you can avoid them. This is number 1 of 3.
Fitness Myth #1: Multitasking while working out helps pass the time.
Trucker Truth: “Trying to check on email and text messages on your phone while you’re on a stationary bicycle, elliptical trainer, or treadmill is too distracting. It’s best to just focus on the exercise,” says Jaime Brenkus, a personal trainer in Willoughby, OH and author of Get Lean in 15. Turn off your cell or smart phone when doing your workout. Your exercise session should be a timeout for you, says Joan Pagano, a personal trainer in New York. If you need a diversion during your workout, listen to high-energy music, which won’t impede your progress. In fact, it’s motivating and may make you work harder.
How do we know this? A recent UK study involving test subjects riding exercise bikes found that those who chose fast music pedaled faster and longer and enjoyed their workout more than those who listened to slower tunes.
Also, wearing earphones can help you avoid distracting chit-chat with others around you, since it gives the message that you mean business. Watching TV while you’re working out is another option. Many gyms that are angled toward truckers feature them, and they’re a good way to time your workout sessions.
We’ll be back tomorrow with another helpful investigation of trucker fitness myths!