'Benz and stretch

Long hours behind the wheel, the irregularities of shift work and the inherent difficulties of maintaining a diet and exercise regime on the road – it's not easy staying fit and healthy as a truck driver, which is why Mercedes-Benz Trucks has released its new 'TopFit Set' in Europe.

Comprising a plywood base board with two rubber straps and springs, Mercedes-Benz says the system has been designed to allow drivers to exercise in the convenience and privacy of their truck's cab, helping the user to maintain muscle condition and potentially ward off back problems – a common driver health issue.

The base measures 65cm by 40cm so it fits between a cab's two front seats. While designed for us in a Mercedes-Benz Actros, the system can be used in any truck with a flat and level floor.

In Europe the TopFit Set comes with a DVD with four exercise videos – Basic Fit, Strong Fit, Top Fit and Power Fit – with each detailing six specific exercises.

Furthermore, a 'Fitness Coach' module will be incorporated into the Android-based FleetBoard Driver app, free of charge, from May. FleetBoard is the banner applied to Mercedes-Benz's in-house telematics service.

Mercedes-Benz says the exercise system delivers "a greater feeling of well-being, less fatigue when sitting at the wheel on a journey, a possible weight reduction and above all a considerable reduction in back pain in the case of existing ailments."

The 'TopFit Set' is just a small part of the 'TopFit Truck' project that was unveiled by Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Germany in October 2013. The project seeks to address Europe's on-going and worsening driver shortage through devising new ways of raising the appeal of truck driving – in this instance by promoting driver health.