It’s that time of year again, folks! Summer is on the horizon, and we’re all looking for ways to get that last-minute beach body. But let’s face it, working out is often a difficult, boring, and sweaty affair that no one wants to make time for. Plus, if you live in a place where the heat is already starting to become unbearable, taking a jog outside or even traveling to and from the gym is the very last thing you want to do on the weekend.
If you’re looking for a fun summer activity that will keep you cool and double as an amazing workout, kayaking is just the thing for you. Even if you don’t own a kayak (yet!) there are plenty of places that rent them out, and sometimes they’ll even throw in an introductory class to help you get started.
Whether you’re paddling down a winding river or taking it slow around your local pond, there are many health benefits to kayaking, and the best part is, that you won’t even feel like you’re working out! Here are 3 reasons why kayaking is an amazing summer workout!
3. It’s A Low Impact Sport
Unlike other water activities such as water skiing and tubing, it won’t put too much strain on your body. While some people might assume you need huge, muscular arms to paddle a kayak, the activity is more of a cardio workout than anything else. It will help you build muscle and hone your flexibility without putting pressure on your joints and tissue.
So don’t worry if you’re not in the best shape. Kayaking can be done at your own pace and is even recommended for older adults. It’s also a great activity for families, so even kiddos can get in on the fun.
2. Kayaking Is Also Good For Your Mental Health
Many people who take up kayaking do so because they find it to be a peaceful activity. Whether you decide to go with friends or enjoy paddling solo, there’s nothing quite like exploring the great outdoors on the water. Unlike being cooped up in a gym, spending time outside has proven to benefit your mental health by helping to relieve stress and reduce anxiety.
Kayaking is also great for those who want a more relaxing form of exercise, and since all you really need is a body of water, you’ll have plenty of variety to choose from if you ever decide you need a change of scenery. You can’t exactly do the same if you’re confining your workouts to the indoors.
1. It’s A Full Body Workout
Most of the machines at the gym are supposed to focus on a particular area on the body, but kayaking wraps cardio, upper, and lower body all into one simple workout. Paddling works the muscles in the arms, back, and chest, as you’d expect, but in order to balance and propel your own body weight forward, you must also engage the core, glutes, calves, and more.
The constant movement of the upper body also burns a ton of calories. In fact, according to one study by Harvard University, an average person can burn about 150 to 210 calories per half hour of kayaking, as opposed to other common activities like lifting weights (90 to 126 calories) or walking (107 to 159 calories).
There’s a ton of other reasons to head out on the water this summer, but chief among them is simply because it’s fun! If you clicked on this article, chances are, you’re probably not a gym person. Maybe you’re looking for something that will motivate you to exercise while keeping your brain happy at the same time. Well, I don’t know about you, but I tend to enjoy working out a lot more if it’s disguised as some kind of entertainment, and kayaking definitely checks that box.
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