I’m often asked, “What is the best time of the day to exercise?”
My answer is always the same: You tell me!
I’m not trying to be sarcastic. I’m honestly interested to know, based on each individual’s lifestyle, what time of day works best for you when it comes to planning an exercise schedule. Figuring out what time of day you are in the best physical and mental condition for a workout is the first step to success.
The second step is finding the exercise (or exercises) you will do consistently and stay committed to.
We all, at some time, get caught up in the latest fad in exercise and nutrition — only to find out it doesn’t work (at least for us), and we are back to falling off our routine. Now, there is nothing wrong with trying new ideas, but at some point we all need find out what works best for us and our lifestyle … and stick to it.
Of course, I am aware that this could be much easier to say than to do in the life of a professional driver.
The saying, “it’s not about finding the exercise you SHOULD do — it’s about finding the exercise you WILL do,” can also be applied when deciding what time of day is best for your workout. No matter when you exercise, be sure to warm up first.
I’ve talked to many drivers who have found success exercising at specific times of day (morning, afternoon and evening). Here are some of the pros of each:
MORNING
When establishing a workout schedule, personal preference is not the only factor. Many drivers say that in the morning is the best time for a scheduled exercise break, because they never know what the day is going to bring. Many have said their intention was to work out at the end of the day, but a multitude of barriers got in the way — traffic, accidents, road repair, breakdowns and bad weather. Planning is key. Plan, so you will know where you are going, and with today’s technology you can find out weather and road conditions ahead.
AFTERNOON
Using your 30-minute afternoon break for a workout can be a great way to stay on schedule. It can also provide a much-needed energy boost, along a mental health break. Many drivers feel this makes them more productive toward the end of the workday. A quick walk may be enough to drive these benefits home.
EVENING
End of the-day workouts are best for some drivers, and for many of them, the physical exertion can be an effective stress-reliever after a long day of work … that is, if you have the energy to exercise and don’t allow fatigue to keep you from following through on your fitness goals.
Known as The Trucker Trainer, Bob Perry has played a critical role in the paradigm shift of regulatory agencies, private and public sector entities, and consumers to understand the driver health challenge. Perry can be reached at [email protected].
Bob Perry is a regular contributor to The Trucker. He has spent nearly the past four decades on a mission to educate professional drivers and share life-changing products and services to help them live healthier lives while on the road. Recognized throughout the transportation industry, from bus drivers to over-the-road professional drivers, Perry has played an important role in creating a paradigm shift helping regulatory agencies, private and public sector entities, and consumers understand the current health challenges of the professional driver. He has participated as a wellness advocate in several roundtable discussions, large audience groups and small forums as well as going “curbside” through a national truck stop tour.
Bob’s articles have been featured in The Trucker and a number of other national transportation industry publications and is the host of a weekly wellness call produced by Rolling Strong. Bob has been a regular guest on RedEye Radio and Land-Line Radio, and is often an invited guest on Sirius radio shows. He has been featured in the New York Times, Men’s Health Magazine, Drug Store News, American Road Magazine, WSJ, NPR, ABC National Radio, as well as hundreds of daily newspapers. He has appeared on television news shows across the nation, including a featured TV segment on ABC NightLine News.
