Forget heading to the gym, if you want to improve your fitness or have a training workout, you should get your paddleboard and head out to the water. Paddleboarding is not just a great way to have fun but provides a great opportunity for a workout. In fact, almost every muscle group can be worked during a paddleboarding session and what’s more, you don’t have to be in a sweaty gym to do this!
Paddleboarding is a sport that almost anyone can take part in. All you need is to be near a river, a lake, or the ocean, and, of course, have the appropriate paddleboard. So if you are interesting in using your paddleboard for fitness or have a good workout, what can you do to improve your health and stamina?
How Paddleboarding Can Improve Fitness
Here are some of the great ways that you can use your paddleboard to get yourself into shape, or maintain your current fitness level:
Full body workout
Because you are on an unstable surface, the muscles in your body constantly have to work to maintain balance. This strengthens your leg, back and abdominal muscles. Also, you use your arms, back and shoulder muscles to propel yourself forward.
Low impact workout
Paddleboarding is a relatively low impact sport. There is very little chance that you will damage your tendons or ligaments. This makes it a great workout to improve overall strength and stamina, especially, if a person is recovering from a leg injury or if they experience leg or hip pain when running.
Cardiovascular health is improved
The effect of paddleboarding on the heart is the same as aerobics or running. Therefore, the benefits to your heart health are tremendous, and you are at less of a risk of experiencing heart disease or suffering a stroke.
Reduces stress
There can be nothing more relaxing than being on the water and feeling at one with nature. Paddleboarding along rivers or lakes can be an extremely rewarding experience. It’s even better than swimming because, when swimming, your face is mostly in the water, but with paddleboarding you get to enjoy your surroundings.
You can also truly be alone when exercising. Sometimes it can be very difficult to train away from other people. Even on a bike, it can be a challenge. However, on a paddleboard, you find the peace and solitude you are looking for, and at the same time improve your fitness.
How Paddleboarding Can Used for Training
Many top athletes now use paddleboarding to train for competitions. It is especially popular among triathletes. This is because it is one of the best cross training workouts that an athlete can take part in. The shoulder work required to use the paddle is great for swimming techniques. Standing on the board and propelling yourself forward strengthens the spine, upper back and core. So, everything that a top athlete needs from a training session!
Usually, a 45 minute to one-hour workout is all that is required for a training session.
There is also the stress aspect to take into consideration. Training is also a mentally challenging exercise, but paddleboarding gives athletes a chance to keep up their training, stay focused, but give themselves a mental break.
Overall, paddleboarding is great for fitness and training. In fact, depending on the type of paddleboarding activity, a one-hour workout can burn between 300 and 1,100 calories an hour! Even moderate paddleboarding burns more calories per hour than running and biking.
So, if you want to have a great workout, improve your fitness and at the same time relieve your stress, paddleboarding is just what you need!