There are roughly 5.9 million commercial motor vehicle drivers operating in the United States today, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If you’re one of them, you know how much time you spend sitting in your car or truck. You’ve probably heard about the negative effects of sitting for long periods of time, so you want to pick up some hobbies to help keep you active. Here are a few ideas for you!
Mechanic skills
This one may sound odd, but it actually makes a lot of sense. You drive for a living, so you should probably learn how to fix it if something breaks, right? You can take those skills can apply them to your personal vehicle too. If you think about it, you can get a pretty good workout while you’re working on your car too. You have to do a lot of lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. The average national cost of repair for a car is $305.55, including $202.28 for parts and $103.27 for labor, so you can save a lot of money too.
Scuba Diving
Water sports are great for your body because they allow you to work on your muscles without putting a lot of pressure on them. Plus, the level of resistance in the water is much greater than the air, so it’s a great cardiovascular exercise. Scuba diving is an awesome water sport to get into because you’re exercising while exploring new places at the same time. There are about 2.7 to 3.5 million scuba divers in the United States, with as many as 6 million active divers worldwide, and maybe it’s time you join them.
Hiking
If you’ve ever been on a hike before, you know how rewarding the experience can be. You put in a lot of hard work to take in incredibly gorgeous views. It’s an awesome cardio workout, too. It also lowers the risk of heart disease, increases blood flow, improves blood sugar levels, and it builds muscles in the hips, hamstrings, and lower legs. Finally, it can help boost your bone density. Plus, the fresh air you breathe in is great for you. So basically, hiking is amazing all around.
Pet-Owning
Have you ever thought about getting a dog? It may be difficult because you’re on the road a lot, but they really make great exercise buddies. You have to take them for walks, play with them, and more. They are known to be good at lowering blood pressure and keeping you active. Dogs are also known for decreasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Biking
Grabbing a bike at the nearest sporting goods store will definitely help you stay active. You don’t have to get all the fancy stuff like clip-in shoes or spandex, either. You can even find a rental shop in your area to find the perfect one for you. You will get a great amount of exercise, and biking is better on your joints than running.
Don’t let your long hauls get you down. There’s not much you can do about sitting all day when you’re a driver, but there is something you can do about your activity off the clock. Try picking up some of these hobbies so you can remain active, healthy, and strong.
3 comments
Great information! It’s pretty easy to get into a sedentary lifestyle, especially when you’re driving for a living. I think hiking is seriously an underrated activity for getting in a workout and just unplugging for several hours.
The presence of activity in our lives is mandatory, in the name of our health, for a beautiful toned body. It is great when you have a hobby that is not only for the soul, but also helps you to be in shape. One of the benefits for you and your body is kayaking. Earlier I read hereabout its benefits for weight loss, and there is even a comparative characteristic about the loss of calories in various sports. I love active recreation, because I understand that it is not only a useful pastime, but also a solid benefit to your health.
Very informative list! Outdoor activity really has a very good effect on our condition! I surf and it also has a very cool effect on my body! After all, when we surf, we spend so much energy. I have only the best equipment from easy surfshop, and I love to spend time with it actively!