Stand up paddle boarding is becoming more popular each year.

Hawaiians have been using it for years as a means to keep fit when the

waves are not adequate for surfing.

 

By using a paddle board surfers were able to enjoy the water and obtain

some exercise simultaneously.

 

In the last several years millions of people have begun to enjoy paddle

boarding, while standing (SUP). People now engage in stand-up paddling

to enjoy the water, spend time with friends, and to improve their fitness level.

 

An Intense Workout

SUP can provide you with a very good overall workout. You will make use of

balance and strength in order to remain upright and propel yourself in the water. 

The level of intensity you will experience will be variable and be dependent on your

venue. If you are paddling in the ocean and there are a lot of waves and an ocean

current, your workout will be intense. If you are simply drifting in relatively placid

waters, it will not be so hard-core.

 

Core Benefits

Paddle boarding will provide you with a great core workout as well. Almost every

muscle in the body is used at some point. A large part of SUP is balance. Your leg

muscles will be hard at work attempting to maintain your balance. In addition,

paddling utilizes the arms, back, and shoulders to propel the paddleboard in the

water. The core back and abdominal muscles are constantly at work to maintain

your balance.

 

Low Impact

An additional benefit that SUP provides is that it is a very low impact exercise.

Therefore, it is unlikely that you will do damage to the tendons and ligaments of

your joints. If you lift weights in the gym or you engage in high impact sports, then

your likelihood of injury is far higher than with stand-up paddling. SUP is particularly useful for runners that are experiencing shin splints or knee and hip pain. With this type of sport it is possible to use up a lot of calories without damaging your joints.

 

Fitness 

One of the clear benefits of SUP is the very fast and obvious improvement of the fitness level of its practitioners. It is a very good sport to engage in if you are cross-training since it uses almost all the muscles in the body. SUP is a form of simultaneous aerobic and strength training.

 

Health Benefits

There are numerous health benefits to paddle surfing and the best part is it will not cause any damage to your body while you enjoy them. The cardiovascular benefits are truly amazing. You will be able to substantially improve your level of cardio fitness. Of course this translates into many benefits for your body, including a decreased incidence of heart attack and stroke. In addition, you are going to consume a lot of calories. This will likely translate into a loss of weight. Most of us are aware of all of the adverse conditions that are associated with being overweight. You will reduce your chances of getting diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and joint problems by reducing your weight, and SUP can help you accomplish this. There is one more great benefit to be aware of… it is very relaxing and a great way to relieve stress. Stress, has countless adverse health consequences and negative effects on the body. I have personally found that stand-up paddling has always been an excellent stress coping method for me. Once I get out on the water and start paddling, I can literally feel my body and mind relaxing as I get into the paddling rhythm.

 

Improve Your Balance

Many activities and sports require good balance. SUP will definitely improve your sense of balance as you try to stay upright while paddling. For instance, what football player could not improve his game with better balance? You may fall a lot when your first start out, but if you keep at it your overall core balance will great improve.

 

Yoga

Recently there are numerous people that are experiencing a new fitness activity to do on their boards. They are practicing

yoga while paddle boarding. Performing yoga while on a paddleboard adds an extra dimension of balance to the activity.

This can be a lot of fun as well as very challenging for someone who is already an experienced practitioner of yoga.

In addition the ambiance that is associated with paddle boarding is far more pleasant and relaxing than being in a

cramped gym or fitness studio. The sun and water will enhance the experience greatly. A lot of individuals are undecided

about purchasing a stand-up paddleboard, however, once they become aware of all the benefits and joys that it has to offer,

they may be prompted to give it a try.

 

What are you waiting for? Give it a try.

 

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