Finally - Fitness Center @ Every Truck Stop(??)

I pull flatbeds and eat right. I'm also not afraid to park in the parking lot instead of the front door or the fuel island and walk in. Diet is the most important thing, I gave up on truck stop food years ago. Its mostly Sub-way when I'm on the road and no its not the 12" meatball with a 44oz drink, chips and cookies lol. Its a lot harder to get in shape then it is to stay that way.

 

Back some years ago an outfit started putting workout equipment in some Pilot's (in a trailer on the side lot) but no one used them it only lasted a few months. There is also the liability issue. You don't want to have some out of shape driver going in and having a heart attack on the treadmill or getting a hernia trying to show how much more of a man he is then the guy next to him lifting weights.

 

Shouldn't the person giving you the message enjoy their work as well? I mean why would a nice looking woman want to give a good message to someone that weighs in at 450?

That's the reaosn why I wouldn't want to by a ob/gyn. Sometimes you'd get something nice to look into and sometimes you wouldn't.

 

Hello to all fellow trucker out their. I am first timer on this froum and I think fitness centers at every truck stop and company terminal is a great idea. The "big name" companies are always Talking about how important it is to stay safe on the road and following the rules of the road. What they fail to realize is how difficult that is on a day to day basis. Sitting on your A$* 11-16hrs a day takes a toll on you no matter your age or gender. Their hardly any healthy foods in variety on the road when you stop at a truckstop and many of us eat whatever they have as long as it's hot and coveinient. Unhealthy eating soon leads to a lot of physical complications such as, Sleep apniea (excuse my spelling) Hemroids in some cases, Diabeties... the list goes on and on. I look at it this way. If their is an oportunity for a quick 30min walk or jog on a treadmill V.S. sitting on our A$*3S in the truckers lounge watching t.v. or stuffing our faces at a buffet, then why not take it? It's our future were talking about. I for one know for a fact that when I retire from this business. I want to be healthy enough to enjoy the fruits of my labors.

Stallion Black: Chicago, IL...

 

It's a pie in the sky dream, to think that enough drivers will go the route of a gym, instead of 30 more minutes of sleep, or watching TV, or surfing porn. There is a niche market out there of drivers who want to exercise, but it's a small enough niche that it doesn't afford making gyms at truckstops. However, it IS large enough to cater to them in regards to routines, and portable equipment ideas. Anything larger than that is a lost cause.

 

Well if movies have taught me anything acording to the Sly classic Over the Top lots of truckers back in the 80's were hiting the gym pretty seriously while in training to compete in Las Vegas for the all Trucker Arm Wrestling contest where the grand prize was a new truck!

But in all seriousness when I finally get on the road I would love to see gyms at truck stops. It just seems like common sense to have them since they're always going on about the health of truckers.

 

Good health habits and exercise are a personal choice--for those that want to stay fit it really isn't hard--BUT--if you are already way overweight--out of breath etc--a t/s gym isn't going to cut it--YOU need a medically supervised--weight loss exercise regimen--not hard--just take your couple week vacation this year--get a REAL checkup--not quickie DOT nonsense--tell your family doc your intentions--then go to a decent gym in your area--and have them set up a workout routine that fits you and your goals(and remember this is a long term project--a marathon not a sprint!)--after a week or so--practicing and getting used to it--the program can now be adapted to about ANYWHERE--ie:10minutes hard walking--15 reisitance band training etc--then every few weeks when you get home stop back into gym--show your progress and let them set up your next level--it(if you really want this!)will soon become HABIT--and YOU WILL find time to get it done
But as for gyms--as pyro said--a little imagination goes a long way!
Just my$.02

 

Check out TA... they now have fitness centers in some.. and walking excersize trails in a bunch of others.

 

Though Im not a trucker yet, i do work in an environment (nuclear security) were im inactive 12.5 hours a night. and i can tell you the last thing that i want to do when i leave the site is hit the gym. but i do because i dont want to look like i just paid a bounty hunter to freeze a smuggler in carbonite (jabba the hut)

now that i have rambled. the gym i belong too (anytime fitness) has key fobs for the doors and cameras all over the place. (yes for the safety of the customers) also complete showers and tanning. my montly dues are $20 a month. they are never closed but your key logs you in/out so if you go in there and are caught destroying property you are held acountable. this mihgt be something that could work at a truck stop. just my -.02 cents.