Modifying a Company Truck?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by WeightedDips, Nov 14, 2021.

  1. mud23609

    mud23609 Medium Load Member

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    The short answer is no.

    The best options for you are going to be local food service or beverage delivery or skip the cdl altogether and do ups package car which will pay probably just as well or better after you reach top rate. Then you can hit the gym before or after work.
     
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  3. GreenPete359

    GreenPete359 Road Train Member

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    @WeightedDips the Planet Fitness route will work, it is just going to take some trip planning on your part. Search gyms on your route, then look at the satellite image of their parking lot to make sure there’s room to park. I did this with Snap Fitness about 7-8 years ago and lost over 100 pounds.

    as far as modifying the truck, it’s company property they probably won’t allow for it. Your best bet is to get a year or two in, then go o/o and you do as you wish.
     
  4. NorthEastTrucker

    NorthEastTrucker Medium Load Member

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    I'm currently considering changing my local trucking career from local to OTR Owner Operator with my our Authority especially during these times. Working out is a big important part of my life because I was heavily involved in bodybuilding in my younger days and still train at gyms. Most truckers can never understand that lifting 60 lbs to 100 lbs never cut it especially when your body is use to heavy weights. People are telling me to take my 60 lbs dumbbells to workout but thats what I curl for sets & reps. Gyms like LA Ftiness, Anytime Fitness or Planet fitness help alot because they're 24 hrs. Being a trucker thats a necessary gym not knowing what times your able to workout for 45 mins. Basing you're daily or weekly routes and trip planning a gym for a workout is essential for those who want to stay in shape.
     
  5. WeightedDips

    WeightedDips Bobtail Member

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    I appreciate all you guys honest answers and taking the time to respond.

    I think I found my answer, and actually stole this from another trucker on YouTube. It comes in some sort of duffel bag for storage. It will probably take up a little space and I may have to be make some minimalist packing decisions to free up room for it, I'd be willing to sacrifice some overhead storage. Hopefully I could find a Planet Fitness along the highways a few days a week. But when not possible,

    I think this:

    Amazon.com

    Paired with this:

    Kensui EZ-Vest Max v1


    Will work.
     
  6. WeightedDips

    WeightedDips Bobtail Member

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    As long as I can do heavy weighted push ups, dips, pull ups, and squats I will be perfectly fine. And I don't mind training in the rain. And just these four movements, with the weighted vest or a dip belt on pull ups, dips, squats, and push ups I can work nearly every muscle in my body and do it efficiently my minimizing exercises and also challenging myself by just adding plates.
     
  7. WeightedDips

    WeightedDips Bobtail Member

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    My man. This is who I needed to hear from. I'm glad someone understands where I come from. No doubt, some of the labor unloading trucks and all would be a workout or challenging for some. For me, that would rather be an "extremely long warm up" for my body. It appears from a general google or youtube search that a lot of truckers are finding ways to hit national chains. Namely Planet Fitness's which are known for big parking lots.

    I think this GoBeast Pull Up / Dip station that can be assembled in 5 minutes from a bag will work. I can utilize them with push ups and squats on by Kensui weighted vest and with my dip chain. I honestly need a Kensui Heavy Duty version due to the amount of weight I'm dipping with. But I see hope of finding something. But defiantly plan to hit the gyms / showers as often as possible. I have a membership to AnyTime, and Planet Fitness both right now.

    I'm hoping to get a setup like above in a bag, that can be used on days gyms aren't around.
     
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  8. The Crossword Trucker

    The Crossword Trucker Road Train Member

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    Here is another problem you are going to hit
    Trainer companies will run you like a dog, there is no wiggle room on many just in time loads for you to get to a gym.
    Make sure the company you sign on with will let you use personal conveyance in your first six months
    Your dispatcher is not going to make any allowances for your exercise addiction ( and yes thats what it is , ive been there).
    I would especially stay out of reefer work because of this.
    There are only a handful of truckstops with gyms
    Getting to a planet fitness is not going to happen very often
    The ground where you park every night has been peed on a thousand times and you can smell it so keep a big piece of cardboard in the truck to lay down under your equipment

    The items you posted should have no problem fitting in your top bunk once you get your own truck but get them now to make sure you can get the workout you are after with just those items.

    Also you dont get to keep any personal items in the trailer , that thing gets sealed at the shipper and you dont break that seal until you get to the consignee
     
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  9. WeightedDips

    WeightedDips Bobtail Member

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    You brought up some good points, but I'll clear up the training part. As of right now, my cdl training school is 15 minutes from my house, and 10 minutes past my local gym from 8 am until 5 pm. That leaves me plenty of time for early morning workouts. (I usually go to the gym at 3 am.) And also time to study in the morning with coffee before school and after school.

    As for training out on the road, I've heard can be up to 5 weeks? Quote me if I'm wrong? This isn't an issue. I can train hard while in CDL school and give my body a few weeks reset while on the road with a trainer.

    For sanitary reasons, I would keep a mat that rolls up with my equipment.

    I'm surprised Trucking companies haven't started putting in gyms at their yards or encouraging truckers to be healthier. A lot of local companies around here, ABC, plumbing places, and even offices are going to free gym memberships or on-site gyms at the work location as intensives.
     
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  10. QBall3577

    QBall3577 Medium Load Member

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    Oh, plenty of companies do.. their just not meant for the drivers. You can get into gym areas, especially planet fitness, because most are built into shopping centers. If you look on satellite maps most shopping centers have an "alley" for trucks to deliver to other stores in that same center. If you learn to manage driving the truck well enough and maneuvering tight corners nothing says you can't park behind the center and walk to the front of the building. Keep in mind most might not be right off the interstate for a 30, and may be intertwined in the city so tight you might not be able to maneuver into the center.
     
  11. The Crossword Trucker

    The Crossword Trucker Road Train Member

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    Every major trucking company does indeed have a gym in its headquarters but your job is on the road.
    Your life now happens in truck stops, rest stops at shippers and receiver's yards in big cities in bad neighborhoods and in tiny towns in the middle of nowhere
    You just have no idea where your day will and and neither does your company.
    There are a lot of oddities to this way of life that you will only discover by living it
    There are large bits of your former life that you will have to give up or modify in ways you cant imagine yet
     
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