Truck Stop Fitness Rooms

[ATeam]

Diane and I laid over at the Petro truck stop in Bordentown, New Jersey last weekend and were pleased to see they had totally remodeled their showers and added a fitness room. A map on the wall showed locations of a few other truck stops across the country to which new fitness rooms have also been added.

You swipe your UltraOne rewards card to gain access to the room (no charge or points required, just scan the card). It was great to go in with our shower bags, work out for an hour, head to the showers, and then back to the truck. The room was clean and the equipment was new and in good shape.

It concerned me a little that some are already abusing the room. One very large guy moved a chair into the room and planted himself in front of the TV, turning the place into his own private lounge, at least as long as no one else entered.

The next morning we saw another team team making good use of the room. That afternoon when we used the room, I went in ahead of Diane and ended up asking a guy to leave.

He was not dressed in athletic clothes and tennis shoes as the dress code required. He was in street clothes, sitting still on one of the machines, talking on his phone and watching TV. There were only two machines in the room and he gave up the machine without objection when Diane came in.

Has anyone else used these fitness rooms? What were your experiences and observations?

 

[TeamCaffee]

The test sites for the Gyms are on the I-95 Corridor and the I-40 corridor. If all does well they will expand to other areas.

We found the same situation in the Albuquerque TA and the gentleman using the bike to watch TV had no problem letting us use the gym as it was intended. I hope that TA/Petro find this a worthy endeavor and will continue with their Stay Fit plans.

 

[Bruno]

The test sites for the Gyms are on the I-95 Corridor and the I-40 corridor. If all does well they will expand to other areas.

We found the same situation in the Albuquerque TA and the gentleman using the bike to watch TV had no problem letting us use the gym as it was intended. I hope that TA/Petro find this a worthy endeavor and will continue with their Stay Fit plans.

Why would they put a TV in the room in the 1st place?

 

[RoadKing06]

A lot of people watch tv while exercising.

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[Humble2drive]

While on layover at the TA in Albuquerque, NM for a weekend I was pleased to see the fitness room and took advantage of it several times. For those who have not seen one yet, It is similar to a small fitness room in some Hampton Inns. I was mildly disappointed that there was no equipment for resistance training; however, the elliptical machine provided a good overall workout.

It did not take long to realize that it was actually my own private fitness room. I did not see any other drivers take advantage of the room and the shower attendant confirmed this when she stated that I was the only one that she had seen using it. For this reason, there is a good chance that they could be short lived as the truck stops note a lack of interest. This could end up being an interesting experiment showing that many drivers have very little interest in improving their health even when the tools are made available.

 

[ATeam]

This could end up being an interesting experiment showing that many drivers have very little interest in improving their health even when the tools are made available.

A regular exercise routine might be embraced by more truckers if more rooms were available. It's one thing to work out at a truck stop here and there. It might become a healthy habbit if the rooms were available at most truck stops. The only way to regularly take advantage of the rooms now would be to run a regular route along I-95 or I-40.

Next time we are at a truck stop that features a fitness room, we will be sure to share our positive feedback with the manager.

 

[bobwg]

While on layover at the TA in Albuquerque, NM for a weekend I was pleased to see the fitness room and took advantage of it several times. For those who have not seen one yet, It is similar to a small fitness room in some Hampton Inns. I was mildly disappointed that there was no equipment for resistance training; however, the elliptical machine provided a good overall workout.

It did not take long to realize that it was actually my own private fitness room. I did not see any other drivers take advantage of the room and the shower attendant confirmed this when she stated that I was the only one that she had seen using it. For this reason, there is a good chance that they could be short lived as the truck stops note a lack of interest. This could end up being an interesting experiment showing that many drivers have very little interest in improving their health even when the tools are made available.

How many drivers actually know about the fitness rooms?? They mention the fitness rooms in the road king/petro magazine but how many drivers actually pick up the magazine and read it? maybe they need to put signs up at the fuel pumps and fuel desk etc to get the word out more

 

[TeamCaffee]

I have seen the signs in other truck stops near the bathrooms advertising the weight rooms. With summer coming on I believe they will be used less as many would rather exercise outside.

The rooms are often near the showers.

 

[Dreamer]

I havent seen one yet. Is there really no resistance machines? No weights, nautilaus etc?

Me

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[Humble2drive]

How many drivers actually know about the fitness rooms?? They mention the fitness rooms in the road king/petro magazine but how many drivers actually pick up the magazine and read it? maybe they need to put signs up at the fuel pumps and fuel desk etc to get the word out more

That brings up a good point. In this TA you have to look right at it to make a left into the TV room and the TV room was full of drivers. Also, you have to walk around it to get to the showers.
In other words, it was kind of like the elephant in the room that you would have to avoid rather than look for.

I did see signs around but not at the pumps.

 

[cheri1122]

Petro/Ta are also introducing walking trails near some locations - I'm looking forward to finding those as the weather improves.

 

[DannyD]

I think it's good that some of these places are doing that. I remember in the past trying to figure out how I could get my bowflex in my vehicle w/ me. I got some workout bands instead. I'm more local now so it's not so much of an issue. If I go on the road though, I think it's good to know that some of these places have workout areas.

One cautionary thing here. Ya may want to take a disinfectant w/ ya & have it in your gym bag. Wipe or spray down the machines before each use.

 

[dletheridge]

I tried to get into the one at the nashville ta, and it wouldn't let me in. yeap i do have a ultra one expedited card.

 

[Humble2drive]

Petro/Ta are also introducing walking trails near some locations - I'm looking forward to finding those as the weather improves.

Pardon me for being a bit overprotective but please plan on using great caution if walking off alone from the truck stop along an advertised route. Take a friend?
So far the "walking trails" that I have seen were simply maps of the local neighborhood with a suggested route to walk. Technically not a "trail".