HEALTH + FITNESS
Paddle Your Way to a Better You
Kayaking Has Many Health Benefits
Kayaking offers a unique blend of physical activity and outdoor enjoyment. It’s a low-impact exercise that works many muscle groups at once. One of the most direct and predictable benefits of kayaking is the burning of calories for weight loss. Kayaking might look nice and peaceful in pictures, but rest assured it is a lot more demanding than it appears with the constant paddling, whether it is with or against the current. The constant isotonic movements as you paddle acts as a form of cardio that burns calories and helps you to lose weight over time.
Kayaking also can improve your strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health while providing a fun way to explore the open water or the shoreline.
When you paddle, you use your arms, shoulders, back, and core muscles. This semi-strenuous full-body workout helps burn calories and build muscle.
Kayaking also allows you to enjoy fresh air and scenic views, which can boost your mood and reduce stress. People of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy kayaking. It’s a versatile activity that can be as relaxing or challenging as you want it to be.
Key Takeaways
• Kayaking provides a full-body workout that improves strength and cardiovascular health and fitness.
• The activity offers mental health benefits as well by reducing stress and boosting mood.
• Kayaking is suitable for various ages and fitness levels, making it an accessible form of outdoor exercise.
Kayaking offers a range of physical benefits that can improve overall health and fitness. It works multiple parts of the body and provides a low-impact workout suitable for many people of all ages.
Cardiovascular Fitness Kayaking is a great way to boost heart health. Paddling makes your heart work harder to pump blood throughout your body. This helps improve cardiovascular fitness without putting too much stress on your joints and muscles.
Regular kayaking can:
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce the risk of heart disease
• Improve circulation
To get the most out of kayaking for heart health, try to paddle at a steady pace for at least 30 minutes. Remember to breathe deeply and evenly while on the water.
Muscle Strengthening Kayaking is an effective full-body workout. It mainly targets the upper body, but also engages core and leg muscles. Here are the key muscle groups worked during kayaking:
• Arms and shoulders
• Back (lats)
• Chest (pecs)
• Core (abdominals and obliques)
• Legs (for stability)
Paddling provides a good workout that can increase strength and endurance over time. The resistance of the water adds extra challenge to each stroke, helping to build and tone muscles.
For more information contact an Island kayak authority for rentals and sales:
Island Spirit Kayak - Beach Location: Edgartown-Oak Bluffs Road, at Little Bridge, State Beach, OB, 508-693-9727, islandspiritkayak.com
Winds Up: On the Lagoon, 199 Beach Rd, VH, 508-693-4252, windsupmv.com