We already know that SUPing is a great workout, but the extensive paddle boarding fitness benefits might surprise you. Paddle boarding is not only enjoyable but also packed with hidden health and fitness advantages. Here are a few top fitness benefits of paddle boarding that you might not have considered before:
Working Your Whole Body
One of the main fitness benefits of paddle boarding is its ability to engage your entire body. Unlike other sports that focus on specific muscle groups, paddle boarding combines muscle building with cardiovascular fitness. Standing up on a paddle boards and propelling yourself through the water requires your whole body. Your legs work hard to keep you steady, your core stays engaged to maintain balance, and your upper body propels you through the water. Even your fingers, toes, and neck contribute to keeping you balanced and centered on the board.
Improving Balance
Standing up on a paddle board and staying on it demands a great amount of balance, so it’s no surprise that regular paddle boarding improves your overall balance and coordination. On your SUP, you constantly use your legs, back, core, and arms to stay stable. You can practice balancing skills off the water or try SUP yoga to further enhance these benefits, improving both your balance and muscle strength.
Building Core Strength
When paddling, your arms propel you forward, but one of the main fitness benefits is the improvement of core strength. Your core is crucial for maintaining balance and powering through the water. Each stroke engages your abs, building core strength as you move. For a challenge, try paddleboard core workouts on or off the water to boost your core strength.
Enhancing Joint Stability
Another key fitness benefit of paddle boarding is that it’s a low-impact exercise, which means it doesn’t strain your muscles and joints like many land activities such as running. This is why paddle boarding is often used in physical therapy for athletes in rehabilitation. SUP fitness activates small muscles in the foot and lower leg, making it particularly effective for rebuilding muscles in the foot affected by conditions such as plantar fasciitis.
Providing a Cardio Workout
Using your entire body, paddle boarding also offers a great cardio workout, a benefit often overlooked. As you improve your paddling skills, you can increase the workout intensity by paddling faster or performing challenging SUP exercises on the water. The cardiovascular benefits of SUPing help reduce the risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Burning Fat
A frequently overlooked benefit of paddle boarding is its ability to burn calories. While it appears tranquil, SUPing is an intense workout that burns a significant number of calories. An hour of leisurely paddling can burn between 300-400 calories. Advanced paddlers who paddle in the surf or compete in races can burn up to 1000 calories per hour.
Building Stamina
No list of paddle boarding fitness benefits would be complete without mentioning its role in building stamina and endurance. The enjoyable and relaxing experience of being out on the water can lead to hours of paddling without realizing how much exercise you’re doing. Starting with short paddle trips and gradually increasing to longer adventures is a fun way to build physical stamina.
In conclusion, stand-up paddle boarding offers a comprehensive workout that engages your entire body, improves balance and core strength, enhances joint stability, provides a cardio workout, burns calories, and builds stamina. Stand up paddle board combines the benefits of muscle building and cardiovascular fitness, making it a versatile and effective exercise choice.