Are you into fitness or to travel? How about fitness AND traveling both at the same time? If you're looking for an activity that will cater to your exercise routine while you are traveling, then you're in for a treat!
If you're new to the phenomenon that is stand up paddleboarding, then we suggest you sit back and read this through.
For those interested in getting a workout out from this, you'll be challenged to do some cardio and strength training while you enjoy the fun of stand up paddleboarding.
Its low environmental impact makes it a marvelous activity along with a little bit of sightseeing. So, without further ado, let's find out more about how stand up paddleboarding can give you a good workout while you're traveling!
What Exactly Is Stand Up Paddleboarding?
For those who are not aware, stand up paddleboarding is a water sport. You have to use a paddle to thrust yourself forward while standing ( you can kneel too, if you want, it totally depends on you!).
By standing, it means you're standing in the middle of the board with your feet apart. You then propel yourself through the water with a long oar. Sounds pretty easy, right?
Let's go and find out how standing up on a paddleboard can help you get a good workout.
How Paddleboarding Gives You a Good Workout
Using paddleboarding as a means of getting your workout done is probably the best idea yet. It provides a considerable range of workouts from upper body training to right down to your core strength building and leg work.
However, at the same time, this activity is also considered to be very low-intensity when it comes to the fun part. As surprising as that sounds, here's how you get the best workout from it.
It's VERY Simple
The hype about stand up paddleboarding mostly lies in its simplicity. When you hear stand up paddleboarding, you automatically think it's something serious. On the contrary, that's not the case at all.
You don't have to be fit to participate in this activity. Any person of any shape, size and level of fitness can jump into it.
An athlete named Lizzie Carr has mastered the stand-up paddleboarding. Within two years of learning, she has already traveled the entire length of England using just the canal systems.
Her message to the world is that if she can do it, so can you. All you have to do is believe in having adventures!
Burn Those Calories!
Now, let's come to the nitty-gritty - burning calories. It's quite simple. What you put into paddleboarding is what you'll get out of it. In other words, the more you paddle, the more calories you burn.
You can burn over 400 calories just by paddling leisurely for an hour. That's the same as going for a nice paced walk. The more you upgrade your paddleboarding game, the more calories you'll burn.
You can burn over 500 calories in just under an hour by doing a yoga workout on it. I mean, how cool is that? Paddling for quite some distance without stopping can make you lose over 700 calories. That's equal to surfing in the sea, with a paddle of course!
Perfect For Strengthening Your Core
When it comes to core workouts your mind automatically drifts to planks. Well, now you can add stand up paddleboarding to your imagination as well.
Since you'll be constantly using your abdominal muscles to maintain your balance, you'll also be putting your core through a tough time. Say, if you're paddling on rocky waters, then your muscles will work extra hard to keep you balanced and upright.
This is absolutely great for your cores. Everybody wants a flat tummy and some look for unhealthy ways to get it. However, through stand up paddle boarding, it's just going to be super easy to get those 6-pack abs you've always dreamed of.
Builds All-Body Strength
Besides the massive core workout and calorie burning, stand up paddleboarding gives you a full-body workout as well.
The endurance and strength require you to use every part of your body. When you're paddling, your shoulders, arms, quadriceps, and knees are all working to put you forward.
The marvelous thing about paddleboarding is you won't feel the ache afterward like you would after a session in the gym. It's got the best of both worlds! This activity provides both the perfect strength-based and aerobic training.
The Benefits of Stand Up Paddleboarding
Other than giving you a 6-pack abs, paddleboarding has other benefits as well. It has many holistic benefits, a very distinct way of teaching you meditation.
You'll be able to appreciate nature more and find a balance within you. Let's go find out what these benefits are in detail.
The Relaxing Low-Impact
As we've mentioned before, stand up paddleboarding can whip your body back into shape with all sorts of strength-based workouts. That being said, this activity is actually much easier to master than skiing.
Those who like to take up a challenge and also like to be eased into doing exercises are seriously going to enjoy this. The intensity and the water's current will play a big factor here, however, you'll be surrounded by nature. You'll feel worked out and mentally refreshed at the same time.
Get Ready To Connect With Nature
Add this paddleboarding to your list as an excuse to be outdoors. If you love being out in the sun and water all around you, well, you're already aware of one of life's rich experiences.
You can dive into your thoughts and let nature calm you down and bring you clarity. The escapism provides a beautiful time for some deep meditation amongst the beauty of mother nature.
See The World At Your Own Pace
Traveling itself opens up your eyes to so many things. When it comes to water, many people believe that you get to see a whole new perspective once you're around it.
It doesn't matter where you are paddling, whether it be in the middle of a beautiful wilderness or in a tropical setting somewhere in the Philippines, you'll get to witness a totally different setting that helps you to gain a more peaceful sense of self.
You'll be aware of other lifeforms and how they too are trying to survive just like us. Stand up paddleboarding really delights the senses of those who are into taking things slow while traveling.
There are too many beautiful locations for stand up boarding that you can take a look at and get yourself totally hyped up for traveling!
The Perfect Cool Down Doesn't Exit-
Finally, let's talk about the cool downtime you get from all your paddling. The workouts that end with a nice cooldown often feels rewarding. That's the same with stand up paddleboarding.
Anytime you feel like you've paddled for a while, you can just take a break and soak in everything around you. Stretch out on your board and take a little nap, do some cloud gazing, or just have fun along with your buddies.
Final Thoughts
You can practically paddleboard anywhere in the world. Keep in mind that the weather and water conditions will vary. You'd be very lucky to have the same experience twice when it comes to this activity.
All you have to do to cool yourself down is simply by kicking back and relaxing. To us, that sounds like the best way to do it!
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
