While attending GATS this year in Dallas I was demonstrating the new FIT System, the Freightliner In-cab Training system, to a couple of drivers and the question came up about strengthening ones stabilizer muscles. One of the drivers brought up the comparison of stabilizer muscles vs. truck stabilizer bars. So lets look at the comparison.
The muscles of the body act to stabilize a joint so a particular movement can be performed at another joint. These muscles usually aren't directly involved in the movement, but support it to keep you steady so that the primary muscles can do their job. Example: If you were doing a chest press on an exercise ball, the primary muscles include the chest and arms, but the abs, back and legs work isometrically to stabilize your body.
Stabilizer bars distribute weight evenly and improve movement and cornering traction. Starting to see the comparison? As a fitness professional, I have heard debates about the need to concentrate on strengthening stabilizer muscles or does free weight training provide the necessary benefits in strengthening the stabilizer muscles? Example: By walking up steps, your body is working by using your legs to move you up with force to the next step. So if you were focusing on keeping your shoulders back and your abs tight, logic would say "I’m using my quads and at the same time strengthening my stabilizer muscles". By the definition above, your stabilizer muscles are supporting the movement while not necessarily conducting that movement.
In my opinion, if you are practicing good techniques and, as in the example, walking up the steps keeping your abs and back engaged in the movement, you are in fact strengthening those stabilizer muscles. In the example of performing the bench press on the ball as your abs, back and legs keep your body stable, the same principle could be applied to pressing a bar bell overhead. Those same three body parts are involved to keep your body balanced. So if you are going to take the time to exercise, make the effort to use all the resources you have to reach the full benefit of exercising.
Always make sure to take necessary measures to prevent injury. Warm up your muscles before performing any exercise movement, especially your shoulder/rotator cuff.
See example below:
ROTATOR CUFF: We start by holding the bands one arm at a time (band attached to floor mount). Hold arm at a 90-degree angle, keeping the elbow rested on your side at ALL times. Then slowly rotate your arm outward keeping your elbow at your side at all times then move back across your stomach. Repeat for 10 reps and change arms. Once you are able to perform 20 reps without strain move to 2 sets.
Thanks for reading and Roll Strong! Bob, aka The Trucker Trainer.