Benefits of Kayaking; Why You Should Pick Up A Paddle!
Kayaking is a sport that millions of people around the world enjoy. Whether recreationally or competitively, it’s a great way to get out on the water, take in the scenery, and get a kayak workout. But what exactly are the benefits of kayaking? Is kayaking good exercise? If you’re thinking of taking up your paddles then keep reading, because in this article we will be explaining what it is, and why so many people are such keen enthusiasts.
What is Kayaking?
Quite often the words kayaking and canoeing are interchanged, but they aren’t quite the same thing. While canoes are open topped boats where you will either sit or kneel inside and propel yourself with a single bladed paddle, kayaking is when you have an enclosed boat that you sit inside and move through the water with a double-edged paddle. If you’re concerned about whether is kayaking hard, then it depends on the type that you do. There are so many options that there’s something suitable for all ability levels.
The Types of Kayaking
One of the best things with kayaks is how adaptable they are to different situations. If you are kayaking for exercise, you have a variety of pursuits to keep things interesting.
Flat Water
The majority of people who Kayak do so on flat water. This can be on a river or a lake, and provides a calm surface to paddle across without causing any issue with balance.
Sea Kayaking
Popular in hotter climates, sea kayaking is when you paddle out into the ocean. Choppy waves make this more exhilarating than paddling on flat water, but there’s a higher chance of capsizing.
Racing
Kayaking can be very competitive, with sprint or marathon distances usually being the most common. When you are comfortable in the boat, this can be a great way to push yourself further.
Slalom
This is when you paddle a kayak down a white water rafting course. It’s exciting and energetic so provides a great kayak workout, but only for the more experienced paddlers.
Polo
If you’re looking for a team game, then kayak polo could be for you. Similar to water polo, your team are in kayaks and attempt to get the ball into the goal.
The Health Benefits of Kayaking
As with all sports, kayak exercise is great for keeping fit and healthy if done frequently. It works on every part of your body, so can be either the only sport you do, or done in conjunction with other sports to provide a rounded exercise regime. Some of the benefits you could expect to see are:
Cardio Workout
Kayaking will really get your heart pumping, and as a result will strengthen your cardiovascular fitness.
Toned Muscles
All of your muscle groups will strengthen and tone from Kayaking. In particular, paddling works on your back, arms, shoulders and chest, but the motion of keeping balanced also strengthens the muscles in your legs.
Vitamin D
It’s great exercising in the outdoors, and exposure to sunlight increases your production of Vitamin D.
Weight Loss
The energy required to move the boat across the water is a great way to manage your weight (in conjunction with a healthy diet).
Mental Wellbeing
Kayaking is a fun and peaceful activity, especially if you are paddling across calm water on a lake, for example. It’s the perfect way to leave the stresses of life behind and relax, helping you to de- stress.
Is Kayaking Good Exercise?
Kayaking involves using most muscle groups- whether it be the arms, back and torso from paddling, or the legs as you learn how to exert more power into your stroke. It can be quite an exhausting activity if you are racing or in tricky conditions, but even on flat water you will get a good workout that is ideal for helping to manage your weight, improve the health of your heart, or simply just to burn off those calories.
How to Get Involved
If you’ve decided to start kayaking, then it’s worth joining a club so you can meet like-minded people to get out on the river with. You’ll also be able to learn the best technique and have a chance to try it out before committing to purchasing a potentially expensive boat., The only pre-requisite to kayaking is the ability to swim, just in case you end up in the water.
Grab A Paddle!
As a way to get out on to the water and explore, or simply as a way to exercise that is more interesting than running along the same routes, kayaking is a great activity to consider. By taking advantage of the benefits of kayaking, you’ll soon be feeling much fitter and healthier in the rest of your life and have a great new hobby that opens up a raft of opportunities.