Truck Driver Exercise Routine – Get A Full-Body Workout in Your Semi

The videos and routine depicted below are courtesy of Todd McCann. You can follow Todd on Twitter at @ToddMcCann.

You might think it’s impossible to get a full-body workout as an over-the-road truck driver. That’s not entirely true. With one simple piece of equipment, you will be able to turn your truck cabin into a mobile gym! Commit today to a healthier lifestyle and learn below how a set of dumbbells can kickstart your journey.

Equipment Needed

Dumbbells are a great tool to use to get a full-body workout because they offer myriad health benefits. Using dumbbells can improve your cardiovascular fitness, burn calories, build muscle, and increase your muscle endurance. They are easy to use, come in a variety of weights, are quite inexpensive, and allow you to make more natural movements as opposed to the workout machines you’d find at a gym. Dumbbells also don’t take up much space, which is a perfect match for an OTR truck driver!

Need a set? We recommend this adjustable set from Amazon to save on space.

Warmup

Todd’s full-body workout begins with a 5-minute cardio warmup. Jumping jacks or a quick brisk walk or jog will do the trick.

After you’re warmed up, you can begin the ab and dumbbell exercises. Use whatever weight of dumbbells you’re most comfortable with, but they should not be so light that the workouts are too easy and not so heavy that you can’t actually do any of the workouts.

Routine

Todd recommends beginning with 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions of each exercise. You can increase the number of sets and/or reps as you improve. Remember not to overexert yourself when you begin any workout regimen — If you can only do 2 sets of 8 repetitions with good form, do that.

The goal of this truck driver exercise routine is to do each set quickly. You should be performing in high-intensity bursts with short breaks between exercises (about 30 seconds between reps). Watch Todd’s videos below for an overview of this in-cab workout.

Part 1: Abdominals

Part 2: Dumbbells

The Complete Workout

• Shoulder Presses – 8-12 reps
• Squats – 8-12 reps
• Standing Twists with Dumbbells – 8-12 reps
• Crunches - 8-12 reps
• Bridge – 30 seconds
• Side Planks – hold for 30 seconds on each side
• Front Plank – hold for 30 seconds
• Wood Chops – 8-12 reps on each side
• Bent-Over Row – 8-12 reps
• Tricep Extensions – 8-12 reps
• Wall sits – hold for 30 seconds
• Hammer Curls – 8-12 reps on each side
• Shoulder Shrugs – 8-12 reps
• Toe Raises – 8-12 reps
• Stiff-Legged Deadlift – 8-12 reps
• Upright Row – 8-12 reps
• Lunges – 8-12 reps on each side
• Bench Presses – 8-12 reps
• Butterflies – 8-12 reps

Repeat this sequence as many times as you wish, and remember to stretch!