Sunday, July 31, 2011

Use Stand Up Paddle Boarding To Get A Total Body Workout



Stand up paddle boarding has been around for a few years but I didn't get into it until spring of 2010. What a fun new discovery for me! Modern stand up paddle boarding (SUP) was 'developed' in Hawaii several years ago by professional surfers. It has since then, come to the masses, surfers and non-surfers alike, athletes and those without much athletic experience, background or stamina. Here are the reasons why Stand Up paddle boarding (SUP) is perfect for everyone. For a great place to paddle board consider stand up paddle board Long Island.

Stand up paddle boarding is a low impact exercise that burns a ton of calories! There is typically no pounding, harsh movement or any impact included in the joints, in short it has no impact. All you have to do is stand and paddle. But, the paddling could be a problem for those with shoulder injuries, but this depends on the type and gravity of the injury. But if you try it during a time where there isn't much wind, you can try paddling lightly.

The statistics I have looked up quote a calorie burn rate of 500 to 700 calories per hour for women and 800 to 1000 calories per hour for men! If you compare this to the other kinds of exercises, these numbers are very impressive. The best part with SUP is that time passes by quickly even if you stay on board for an hour, and most likely, you would prefer to stay out longer if you have the time. Those I talk to about SUP have their own story to tell about how they or somebody they know got in good shape by doing this amazing exercise a few times weekly.

The main thing that stand up paddle boarding requires is good balance. The board itself is generally larger, wider and thicker than a surf board with one or more fins on the bottom. As a beginner you begin by kneeling on the board and beginning to paddle moving into an upright kneeling position and then, when you are ready, you stand up with your feet in the same wide, evenly spaced stance and feet parallel position that your knees were in. You would want to position yourself on the board with your mass somewhat centered on the board. And you paddle. That's it. It doesn't sound like doing much really, and it doesn't even look much when you watch someone do it, however, the secret is what's happening inside your body. If you need some lessons to get started consider SUP lessons Long Island.

The theory behind SUP is all about resistance and isometrics. What keeps you balanced on board is the work of your leg and core muscles. You will feel this at first. Since your body is using a lot of large and small muscles to keep you balanced and stabilized as you move your board on the water. These movements are neither choosing left, right, front or back but controlling your entire body equally. Perfect! Then we come to the paddling part. If possible use a lightweight carbon fiber paddle so you do not risk tiring your shoulders from all the lifting you are doing. Every time you paddle, not only are your arms and back working to move the paddle against the resistance of the water, your legs and core muscles all work to counteract the resistance and hold your body upright against the movement of the board. The fact is, it really doesn't feel like that much work, but your body is busy! And yet the experience is calm and relaxing, gets you outside and into nature.



No comments:

Post a Comment