In his spare time, entrepreneur Spencer Schar enjoys kayaking in the lakes near his home, fishing for bass. From building core strength to the psychological boost provided by spending time immersed in nature, this article will provide an overview of the key health benefits of kayaking.
Kayaking is a popular pastime in the United States today. For some, it represents a fun hobby or vacation activity, while for others, it is a serious competitive sport. Participants may paddle on rivers and lakes or take their kayak out onto the ocean.
For those seeking to improve their fitness and stamina without being confined to the gym, kayaking is the ultimate activity, presenting numerous physical benefits and getting participants out into the great outdoors.
In terms of improving strength, flexibility, and overall fitness, paddling is difficult to beat. The activity is particularly good for the heart and lungs, improving cardiovascular fitness by raising the heart rate and helping to reduce the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.
Kayaking is a low-impact activity that does not come with the same health risks associated with many other sports. Nevertheless, paddling is an incredibly effective activity in terms of burning calories and losing weight.
Paddling strengthens a range of different muscle groups, exercising the kayaker’s chest, arms, shoulders, and back as they move through the water, building strength and enhancing muscle. The torso and legs are also put to work, with the kayaker using them to rotate the kayak in the water. Kayaking works different muscles simultaneously. In addition to the arms, shoulders, and back, the activity also exercises and tones the abs, lats, biceps, forearms, legs, and hips. Over time, kayakers build upper body strength, with a discernible improvement to muscle definition.
From a mental health perspective, kayaking also presents some compelling benefits, providing an outlet for stress and releasing feel-good endorphins in the brain. The activity has been shown to boost mental health and mood by encouraging participants to get out in the sunshine and fresh air, improving mood and presenting an opportunity to top up on vitamin D.
According to research by a team from Harvard University, an individual who weighs 125 pounds can burn 150 calories by kayaking for 30 minutes. By comparison, an individual weighing 185 pounds can burn a staggering 210 calories in the same timeframe. Unlike many other forms of cardio, kayaking also has the added benefit of building strength and toning muscle while participants are paddling too.
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