How strong are truck drivers?

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They are heroes on the road: day in and day out, truck drivers ensure that goods across the country arrive on time at their destination – and our economy is thriving. A tough job that requires reliability, a sense of responsibility, but also physical fitness. But the latter falls by the wayside for some truck drivers: Sitting all the time puts a strain on the body and there’s no time (or energy) for exercise after a long shift – causing back pain in more than 40 percent of all drivers, according to studies.

A circumstance that ex-Schwinger and athletics trainer Matthias Glarner (37) does not want to accept just like that. As part of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Switzerland’s “Lucky Trucker” thank you campaign (see box), the wrestler king of 2016 wants to help truckers with fitness technology – through a challenge that shows the current fitness level of the test subjects. On this May day, Glarner arrives at the service area of ​​the Gunzgen-Nord SO highway in a painted “Actros L” wrestling truck and with a “Hau-den-Lukas” device. The truck drivers can put their strengths to the test at the well-known Chilbi attraction.

Matthias Glarner: “Many are very strong!”

The drivers are quite surprised when they discover Glarner with his equipment – and many join in, as can also be seen in the video. The fun is great, but so is the performance shown: “Mätthel” is impressed by the ladies and gentlemen who participated. “You can see the truckers are used to handling things,” he says. “Most of them are very strong!” Ergo, many of the “Hau-den-Lukas” would have reached the top with the first blow – that’s why there were relatively many players, so draws, in the duel with the 115 kilo man from the Bernese Oberland.

“In short, the participants are physically at a good level,” Glarner sums up. “They probably don’t need a gym membership.” Still, the back is a possible weak point for some. And: “As you get older, getting in and out can also be a problem. This mainly affects the hip and knee joints.”

Healthy for a long time thanks to three training sessions

The expert therefore advises truck drivers to do a short 30-minute training three times a week – at home or around the truck. “I recommend core stability and leg strength exercises. With little effort, the drivers can get a lot out of it.” If you then combine this with endurance training such as walking or cycling, he believes that is sufficient to remain healthy and mobile. “And hopefully they will enjoy their work for a long time to come!”

Three of the participants will soon be able to enjoy even more tips from fitness professionals. Your reward for all that hard work on the A1 is personal fitness training with Matthias Glarner in his studio “Spirits4Sports” in Wilderswil BE.

Source : Blick