In the recent years, stand up paddle boarding has grown to new heights. Even though it is growing more than ever, it has been around for decades. Thought to have been invented by the Hawaiians, they first usedย it for training during the summer surfing season to stayย fit when the wavesย were small and not challenging. It was also used as a way for instructors to maneuver around quickly to attend to people learning to surf.
By implementingย paddle boarding, surfers were now able to stay inย the water when there was small surf and get great cardio exerciseย at the same time.
It is now a main stream sport. People use it to simply enjoy a day on the water, enjoy time with family and friends, and to also increaseย their fitness.
High Level Workout
Paddle Boarding can really provide a greatย workout for you. It willย make use of both your strength and balance in order for you to keep in anย upright position and move forward through the water.
The different levels of intensity you might experience will depend upon the surround conditions you are boarding in.
For instance, if you choose toย paddle in the ocean, you will likely be fighting aย lot of waves as well as theย oceans current, so this would rate much higher on theย intensity workout level. If you choose to just paddle around a calm lake, thenย it will result in a much lower for of intensity. Wind can also play a strong factor as well.
Core Benefits To SUPing
You can really getย a great core workout paddle boarding. You will be using almost every muscle in yourย body when you SUP.
A criticalย part of boardingย is your balance. You tend to use a lot of leg muscles while youย attempt to maintain properย balance on the board.
In addition to your core, paddling really hitsย the back, arms, and shoulders as you paddle. While you paddle your back and abs are constantly firing to help you maintain properย balance. It really is great.
Low Impact
Most people don’t take into account that SUPing is consideredย a low impact exercise. There are not a lot of heavy or jerking motions, just long and smooth which is great. Because of this,ย you areย not likely to do any damage to any of yourย ligaments, tendons, or joints in general.
A workout such as lift weights at aย gym, is considered more of a high impact workout. You are more likely of anย injury lifting weights than paddle boarding.
SUPing is great for runners that may be dealing withย knee or hip pain as well as shin splints due to its low impact. You also still get the benefits of burning a lot of calories on top of it all. Itย is a really great form of aerobic and strength training.
Added Health Benefits
There are manyย health benefits to stand up paddle boardingย and one of the best is that it is a very safe workout and easy onย your body while you reap the benefits.
Let look at some other great health benefits:
- Greatlyย improve your cardio fitness levels.
- Help decrease your likely hoodย of stroke or heart attack.
- Burn tons of calories.
- Significant weight loss when done on a regular basis including a proper diet.
- Reduce riskย of diabetes.
- Increase joint strength.
- Increase Lung capacity and oxygen intake.
- Relaxing on the mind and body.
- Improved blood circulation.
- A great way to relieve stress.
- Great source of vitamin D (the sun)
- Time to connect emotionally with nature.
- Meditation and flexibility increase.
I’m sure there are more but you are starting to see the greatness of it and why it is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
An Alternative To Surfing
Maybe you have tried surfing and it was just a little toย difficulty for you. It does take some of the most balance of any sport, but you still just want to get out in the water.
You might even haveย friends that surf and you want to still join the fun with them, but you just can’t get it down. With paddle boarding, it still gives you the opportunity toย get out there and have fun with your friends catching waves. You can even taunt them a bit as you will be able to catch the waves much sooner then they will be able to. There are a lot fo upsides.
Be sure to also check out this great article on why stand up paddle boarding is so popular.
Keep in mind, once you get good a paddle boarding and your balance increases, you can always switch back over and try surfing again. It will be much easier once your balance has improved and you get comfortable on the water. A lot of surfers do both sports. I am one of those.
Yoga SUPing
Yoga boarding is the new thing. Talk about taking balance to a whole other level. If you want to ignite your stabilizing muscles, this is surely a great way to do so.
Performing yoga on a SUPย adds an extra balance requirement. This is great for someone who has been doing yoga for a long time and could use a change of pace to keep things fresh.ย For a novice and beginner, this might be a little too challenging to start off.
The other great part is that you get to perform the yoga outside in the elements VS being in a stuffy class room in a gym with little sun and fresh air. It really just adds a whole new great experience. If you are interested in yoga boards, check out our paddle boards for sale page.
Summary
A lot of people can beย undecided when it comes toย buyingย a standup paddle board, although,ย once they understandย all the added benefits they will get and joys it has to offer, they tend to come around and at least give it a try.
Why wait? When is now a good time? Give it a shot, you won’t regret it!
You can find more greatย articles by checking out our paddle boarding blogย as well. Thanks for reading and be sure to leave any comments or thoughts below.
