Stand Up Paddling, or as some people refer to as just “Paddling”, is a sport that is very similar to surfing because it uses a board but it is also quite different because it uses a paddle to propel the board across the water instead of a wave. Furthermore, because paddling has no need for waves, it is not limited to being done in the ocean. It can be enjoyed in lakes, rivers, or any other body of water that is safe enough and big enough.
Stand up paddling first started in the Hawaiian Islands in the 1960’s when some local beach boys would stand on their surf boards, paddle out into the ocean with outrigger paddles and take pictures of the waves and of the tourists and new comers who were learning to surf. At that time, it was called “Beach Boy Surfing”, thus stand up paddling is sometimes referred to by that name.
Stand up paddling is gaining some popularity as an effective method to
lose weight because of its basic characteristic of engaging various parts of the body in the course of a session. It even emphasizes on strengthening the core of the body and in cardiovascular fitness. Some personal trainers estimate a calorie burn of up to 1000 calories for men and 700 calories for women for a regular 1 hour session of paddling.
To make the most out of stand up paddling as an
effective means to lose weight, proper posture must be maintained all through out the session. Just like any other exercise, it is only by paddling the board with the right technique that stand up paddling will be effective in shaping and strengthening the core, the arms and the legs. Proper technique means that the arms must remain in a straight position as much as possible. Keeping the arms straight while paddling the board will force the body to rotate the torso and use the torso to propel the board. Furthermore, using the right technique will also engage other muscles of the body, such as the glutes, the hip flexors, and the quadriceps. Using more muscles will induce more calories to be burned.
Anyone can lose even more weight through stand up paddling by incorporating other exercises into it. For example, quadriceps squats can be done on the paddle board to exercise the thighs and engage the legs. Because the paddle board is on the water, it is not as stable as a floor or the ground. To make up for this, the body will have to use more muscles to perform a squat on a paddle board than it will on a regular floor. As the body works harder, it will burn more calories and this will lead to losing weight. Depending on the skill level of the person paddling, other exercises can be incorporated such as push ups and even crunches.
Stand up paddling is an
effective way to lose weight and quite easy to get used to and to learn, however, it is still best to get some professional instruction before setting out onto the water. Always check local rules regarding life vests and other similar equipment when setting out and as much as possible be in a group when going paddling on unfamiliar waters.
