Happy people on kayaks

Kayaking: Better Than a Gym Workout

There’s a lot to love about kayaking. This paddlesport offers something for everyone, ranging from those just starting out with flatwater recreational paddling to freestyle kayakers perfecting their tricks. It can be done in rivers, lakes and the sea, making it a good sport no matter where you live. Being outside, in the water and surrounded by nature is a stress buster in itself and very good for your mental health. Kayaking is also an exceptionally good full body workout –you’ll work more muscles in an hour of paddling than you typically would working out for the same length of time in the gym. You’re guaranteed to have more fun too! Kayaking lifts the spirits, clears the mind and works the whole body.

Bring out the big guns

Working your biceps and triceps is simply a byproduct of paddling. And they get worked very well too. As you row in and out of the water; you're working your bicep with forward extension, which causes triceps to actively contract. Your forearms and hands get a workout too from gripping and maneuvering the paddle as you go – kayakers tend to have very firm handshakes!

Back & shoulders

Your lats will know about it when you first take up kayaking – it’s a fantastic sport for working and strengthening your back muscles. Every stroke of the paddle works your back as it does your arms. While one arm is stretching then contracting the other is rowing back, meaning your back is constantly working to make this happen. Of course it couldn’t happen without your shoulders, which also get a vigorous workout with the constant circular motion needed for paddling. Your rear, lateral and anterior delts will all feel it.

Abdominal appeal

Kayaking relies heavily on your core strength. Don’t worry if you don’t have much to start with however – you’ll soon build it. Thanks to the constant rotational movement, the abs and obliques are worked heavily the whole time you’re kayaking and they’re needed for balance too.

Heart of gold

Your chest, heart and lungs will all get worked when you go kayaking – it’s a suburb cardio workout. Each row you do needs your pectorals to stabalise your shoulder and pull the arm back in, and this needs to be done for both arms simultaneously but in opposite directions.

Lovely legs

Think you’re just sitting there, so your legs don’t get a workout? Wrong! While kayaking provides a vigorous upper-body workout, it also works your legs and bum - the strength to power your kayak mainly from rotating the torso and applying pressure with your legs and bum, meaning they get a workout too.

So there you have it: kayaking provides you with a brilliant full body workout. Did you know it’s low impact to boot? Meaning you can have fun and work your body with reduced risk of wear-and-tear on your joints and tissues. We stock everything you need for kayaking from jackets and buoyancy aids through to kayaks and paddles, catering for complete beginners through to seasoned pros – take a look here.

Published on 24th September 2015 in Kayaking

Visiting from United States?

US Flag Continue to UK

Your browser is extremely out of date. We strongly recommend that you try a different browser for the best experience when using our website. Close.