Recuperation on the road for professional drivers

"Open-air fitness studios for professional drivers, which are being built near parking areas for trucks, are becoming a new feature throughout Europe. They provide drivers with the opportunity to actively recuperate during breaks, and can help to prevent occupational illnesses", explains Grzegorz Haładus, Manager of the "Truckers Life" campaign organised by the foundation Trans.org. "We want such facilities to be built near the majority of Europe's large filling stations within the next few years."

Truck drivers represent one of the largest occupational categories in Europe – in Poland alone they total almost 700,000 drivers. It is not exactly a profession which promotes good health – the stress, the amount of sitting involved, the lack of movement, the passive relaxation and unhealthy eating habits can result in a host of problems which, under certain circumstances, can have a negative impact on behaviour at the wheel. The goal of the "Truckers Life" campaign is to help truck drivers to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The truck division of Mercedes-Benz Polska is a strategic partner of the project.

"We want to build a network of open-air fitness studios for truck drivers at their rest areas", explains Grzegorz Haładus. The showpiece for the project has been set up in the grounds of the largest BP filling station in Mostki in Poland, adjacent to Federal Highway 92 on the route between Swiebodzin and Swiecko.

The training ground comprises five items of fitness equipment on which two drivers can train simultaneously. They have been specifically chosen to enable a complete workout for all of the muscles, joints and bones which are likely to become stiff whilst driving. Heart and respiratory functions are meant to be improved too. In addition, coordination exercises can also be practised. The aim is for all drivers to be able to use the fitness studios all year round - and for free.

As part of the first stage, under the patronage of Mercedes-Benz, no less than six open-air fitness studios are to be installed at selected filling stations in Poland, which in future will be managed by local authorised dealers. To make training easier for the drivers, the foundation is working together with Mercedes-Benz on both printed and electronic versions of instructions describing how to use the equipment. Furthermore, video tutorials will make the entire set of training exercises clear. Workshops for the drivers are also planned which will also focus on physical activities, illness prevention and healthy eating.

"We want to build a network of open-air fitness studios for truck drivers at their rest areas", explains Grzegorz Haładus. The showpiece for the project has been set up in the grounds of the largest BP filling station in Mostki in Poland, adjacent to Federal Highway 92 on the route between Swiebodzin and Swiecko. The training ground comprises five items of fitness equipment on which two drivers can train simultaneously.

They have been specifically chosen to enable a complete workout for all of the muscles, joints and bones which are likely to become stiff whilst driving. Heart and respiratory functions are meant to be improved too. In addition, coordination exercises can also be practised. The aim is for all drivers to be able to use the fitness studios all year round - and for free.