Let’s face it: we’re in our cars longer than we think we are. Driving is a part of life, especially during the holiday season. If you want to get to and from your family’s home, you’re going to need to put in some hours on the road.
Staying alert on longer drives, though, is a challenge. Those long trips can also make you feel as though you’re turning into cookie dough, for all the sitting you have to do. If you want to entertain yourself on your trip and keep your body active, what can you do?
As it turns out, there are a few in-car exercises that you can experiment with, if you want to stay alert in the car. While you should always prioritise your road safety, these exercises will help you curb your road rage and retain your energy.
Ab pulls
Let’s start on everyone’s worry area: the stomach. You wouldn’t think that you could do much to improve your abs while behind the wheel of a car, but you can. All you need to do is flex.
To ab pull in your car, flex your stomach muscles. The sensation will make you feel as though you’re sucking in your stomach to fit into your favourite pair of jeans, but the action is not the same. Focus on your core and hold the pose for thirty seconds. After that time has passed, release, wait another thirty seconds, and repeat.
Note that this and the other exercises on this list won’t have an immediate impact on your musculature! However, you’ll be able to come away from your driving feeling a little better if you try out exercises like this one.
Tricep pushes
If you’re not the person behind the wheel of a car, you can take time out of your trip to strengthen your triceps. Make sure you’re sitting up straight with your feet flat on the ground. If you have the room in the car, your knees should form a right angle with the ground.
Once you’re set, rest your hands palm-down beside your hips. Then, straighten your elbows and lift your butt off of the seat. Hold this pose for ten seconds, and then lower yourself back onto the seat.
Repeat this exercise ten times, then allow yourself to rest before starting up again. Your fingers may feel a bit of strain, as may your elbows. If they do, stop and stretch before starting again. The last thing you want to do is accidentally hurt yourself!
Seat pushes
If you are the person behind the wheel, you can still work to exercise your triceps. You’ll just have to get the steering wheel involved.
Place your hands at 10 and 2, towards the top of the steering wheel clock. Keep your grip tight but your elbows loose. Then, deliberately straighten your elbows so you’re pushing your back into the seat behind you. Maintain this pose for up to ten seconds, and then let yourself relax. As with the other tricep exercise, repeat this process ten times, then allow yourself to rest.
If you’re driving and trying to exercise your body, remember to be careful! You shouldn’t let your exercises interfere with your roadway safety, especially in the winter. Always prioritise safety over a few exercises.
Calf raises
Are your legs feeling sore after a long day of being stuck in the car? You can stretch them out, too, without having to go and take a walk.
Make sure your feet are flat on the floor in front of you. Adjust in your seat so that you can bring your knees to a right angle – or the closest angle possible, depending on the size of your vehicle. Once you’re settled, try and bring some kind of weight – luggage, a backpack, or so on – onto your knees.
Once that weight has settled in, point your toes. The weight on your laps shouldn’t rise. This motion helps you flex your calves and will keep your leg muscles tense for as long as you hold it. Do not hold the pose for more than five seconds, though! Release quickly and repeat the motion up to ten times per set.
Note, too, that this exercise is easier to complete when you’re not driving. However, you can flex your calves at stoplights and stop signs, should you feel the need.
The winter season sees many of us on the road more often than we’d like to be. However, there’s nothing quite like visiting family during the colder months of the year. So, if you’re worried about missing out on gym time while in the car, never fear. Try out some of the exercises above, and you’ll find that there are ways to keep your muscles in top shape, regardless of the equipment you have around you.