Truckstop Chains Upping Fitness Options

TravelCenters of America is expanding its StayFit program by adding new sites, and Flying J will be adding fitness centers through a partnership between Snap Fitness and Rolling Strong.

Snap Fitness announced a partnership with Rolling Strong, a health and wellness company for professional drivers, that will offer a workout program at numerous Pilot Flying J Travel Centers nationwide.

The 960-square-foot workout centers "are designed to accommodate the trucking community and those who travel frequently for business or vacation, so they can get the workouts they need quickly and conveniently," said Peter Taunton, CEO and founder of Snap Fitness.

Each Snap Fitness Rolling Strong gym will be located at a Pilot Flying J travel center or travel plaza, staffed by fitness professionals and will include a variety of top-of-the-line fitness equipment. Monthly gym dues are $29.95 for the trucking community, and will provide access to the Snap Fitness Rolling Strong gyms as well as any of the 1,300 Snap Fitness clubs worldwide.

Family membership options for the trucking community will be available as well. Current Snap Fitness club members will be able to use the amenities at Snap Fitness Rolling Strong gyms at no extra charge.

"We are honored to be associated with Peter and his national brand of Snap Fitness for the transportation industry," said Bob Perry, chairman of the American Trucking Association's Safety Management Council's Health & Wellness Working Group and president of Rolling Strong. "Together, working with Pilot Flying J, we will bring specially designed nutrition and workout programs to the professional truck driver where they work, on the road."

Other Rolling Strong programs include nutritional programs for drivers, an online Rolling Strong Driver Wellness Tracker, a driver wellness handbook, a network of 100 truck-friendly Department of Transportation medical clinics, sleep testing and treatment and on-site BIO screenings. Members can take advantage of several health and wellness tools, including the Snap Fitness Rolling Strong Program.

The first Snap Fitness Rolling Strong gym is scheduled to open in the fall at Pilot Flying J, with a total of 10 locations expected to be open and operating by the first quarter of 2012.

TA Expands StayFit

TA's StayFit program is a wellness initiative aimed at providing professional drivers "better-for-you" options while they are on the road. Launched in January, StayFit fitness rooms were initially located in a combined 10 TA and Petro locations on Interstates 95 and 40. Now, a total of 21 fitness rooms are available: 11 new sites added on Interstates 80 and 5. Additionally, 120 mapped walking trails are available throughout the TA/Petro network.

"Drivers tell us that they want healthier options while they are on the road," said Tom O'Brien, President and CEO of TA.

StayFit Fitness Rooms are free to use by any UltraOne Rewards Program member. Drivers simply swipe their card at the door to access a variety of exercise equipment.

TA and Petro Locations with StayFit Fitness Centers include:

* I-5: TA Portland, Ore.; TA Redding, Calif.; Petro Santa Nella, Calif.; Petro Wheeler Ridge, Calif.;

* I-95: Petro Bordentown, N.J.; TA Baltimore South, Md.; TA Manning, S.C.; TA Vero Beach, Fla.;

* I-80: Petro Sparks, Nev.; TA Salt Lake City, Utah; TA Cheyenne, Wyo.; TA Grand Island, Neb.; TA Lake Station, Ind.; Petro Girard, Ohio; TA Bloomsburg, Penn.;

* I-40: TA Barstow, Calif.; TA Albuquerque, N.M.; TA Greensboro, N.C.; TA Nashville, Tenn.; TA Oklahoma City West, Okla.; TA West Memphis, Ariz.

Drivers interested in the walking trails can pick up a map at participating sites. Healthy food options in the travel stores are marked with StayFit shelf signs, while better-for-you restaurant choices are noted on the menu.