03/10/2021
Physical health benefits of SURFING - Part 2
Heart Health: Since you’re paddling out on a board and using your arms, legs, back, and everything else to work your surfing mojo, you’re getting a workout in. All that paddling gets your muscles pumping, allowing your heart’s strength to increase with all the cardio you’re doing. Over time surfing will help lower your blood pressure and your resting heart rate which can result in a decreased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other diseases.
Strengthen & Tone Muscles:
Surfing is an excellent total body workout.
You’ll strengthen:
trapezius (traps), re**us abdominis (core or abs), Obliques, Biceps, Triceps, Deltoids, Pectoral, Rotator cuff, Lumbar muscles, Legs, Bottom, Calves
Since you make use of bodyweight in surfing, you’re toning your muscles more than going for a workout in the gym. Although you can train some of the muscles used when paddling, you can’t 100% increase your paddling strength at a gym.
Tip
Increase your paddling strength by paddling for about 20 minutes on flat water.
Burn Calories in a Fun Way
Instead of visiting a gym and working out for an hour or so, jump on your surfboard and burn calories as you surf.
Although it depends on the surfer’s body type and other measurements, surfing can burn as much as 130 to 260 calories when surfing for 30 to 60 minutes at a time.
Boost Your Immune System
Regularly immersing your body in cold water (aka the freezing ocean) has major benefits for your body. Cold Therapy helps activate your body’s natural healing powers to help it relive symptoms of various medical conditions. It also improves your immune and lymphatic systems as well as your circulation.
The pressure in cold water is anti-inflammatory and can help ease headaches and pain. No wonder you’re always told to bathe in ice water when you have physical injuries!
Cold Shock
Be careful when going into cold water as it can shock your body by the sudden immersion in cold water.