Photo: (CSG Kayak Ltd)
Is Kayaking Good Exercise? – Health Benefits of Kayaking
Kayaking can be many things for different people. It can be a casual paddle through calm waters, a challenge through a roaring river, or an endurance sea trek. If you’re new and getting into kayaking, it’s good to know what you stand to gain through the activity. And you’ll be happy to know that there is quite a lot! Here are some of the health benefits of kayaking.
Kayaking is a great activity for the body and mind! Check out this ultimate sea kayaking guide for tips and tricks to get you onto the water.
Physical Benefits
Cardiovascular Endurance
Kayaking is quite an extensive yet accessible workout. It’s a low-impact exercise, meaning it’s great for those who can’t handle more strenuous activities or are prone to injury. Paddling is a great cardiovascular exercise to get your blood flowing and your heart pumping. It’s also a great way to build up your endurance. Sea kayaking focuses on this, as trips are often longer and require you to paddle more as you have less water flow to aid you. Newcomers may find padding for long periods to be quite tiring. As you continue to kayak, you’ll notice that you’re able to travel longer distances, and this endurance will extend to your other activities as well!
Kayaking is a great exercise for any age.
Multiple Muscle Group Training
Kayaking also involves using many of your muscles, not just your arms. You do use your arms to paddle, but you need to use your chest, back, and shoulder muscles as well! When you’re on a kayak, it’s also important to maintain your balance on the water. You use your core and legs for stability and changing directions. Changing directions in a kayak can be much harder than it looks! When you first paddle, be prepared to exercise much more muscles than you initially expected. With how much of a workout you can get with kayaking, it’s also a perfect way to lose weight!
Going on a fun water adventure with your friends can also provide great motivation to keep pushing on and to have fun while doing it! Lots of people like to shop for pedal kayaks for added exercise and excitement, and it’s a great way to switch up your kayaking routine. They are also perfect for longer trips where you’re less likely to get too tired before reaching your destination.
Kayaking can be as leisurely or as intense as you want it to be!
Mental Benefits
Stress Relieving
With how much physical benefits kayaking provides, you’ll be pleased to know that there are tons of benefits to your mental health as well. Kayaking is an exercise, and moving your body is a great way to improve your mental health. Exercise boosts endorphin levels which help relieve anxiety and depression. It’s also good at decreasing stress, as increasing your heart rate stimulates creating neurohormones that help you deal with stressful events. Focusing on an activity can also help destress because you gain a momentary time to stop thinking about your problems.
Kayaking is a great way to improve your mood.
Kayaking also involves going outdoors, and spending time in nature is great for one’s mental health. Visiting parks for the greenery, sunlight, and fresh air is good for improving your mood and attention. It also reduces the risk of psychiatric disorders. Nature can also help you if you’re looking for inspiration, as it can improve your creativity!
Socialization Opportunities
Kayaking with friends and family can also be a great way to add social interaction to your life. You may even find new friends in kayaking clubs and communities! After a tiring kayaking session, the combination of mental and physical stimulation will help give you a great night’s sleep.
Spending time with a view like this is sure to be good for you.
If you want a hobby or sport that’s jam-packed with health benefits and excitement, kayaking is the way to go. Not only is it a low-impact exercise that almost anyone can get into, but it also provides a way to train and tone many groups of muscle. Being out exercising in nature is also a bundle of mental wellness to help improve your mood and brain function! It’s also a great activity to experience nature better when you travel, so learning the basics of kayaking is a fine skill to have. Remember that you can always start small. Click here to find the spot for your first-ever kayaking adventure. Hopefully, this is the start of a new, stimulating hobby!
