Primal Blog

 The Benefits of Kayaking For Fitness

Kayaking is something you tend to think of when you are planning an outdoor trip or camping trip around lakes and rivers. You may not think of it outside of the recreational options that it offers. The truth is, kayaking can benefit you in many health based ways. If you are looking for something that will help boost your workouts and give you a bit more in your fitness routine, then kayaking may be for you. Here are a few of those benefits to consider.

Arm Workout

A huge benefit to kayaking for fitness is the arm workout it can give you. For example, when you workout in the gym you are working certain areas of your arms and it can take up to an hour to get to the whole muscle system of both arms depending on what you are doing. When you do kayaking for fitness you are working your entire arm and shoulder area. In fact, you are working your arms, shoulders, and even back muscles. For the time you are putting in, you are getting more for your upper body than you would with traditional methods.

Calorie Burn

If you have the ability to go kayaking on a routine basis, meaning once to several times a week, then you are looking at one of the highest burning calorie workouts available to you. Kayaking can burn 500 or more calories in half an hour to an hour session. This blows things like traditional swimming and water aerobics out of the water as a high calorie burn fitness routine. If you need a high calorie burn because you can only be out of the house or working out a few times a week and you need to maximize that time. Then this is an ideal option to consider.

Stress Release 

If you are looking for a fitness routine that not only works out your body and gives you a high calorie burn for weight loss, but also helps with stress then kayaking may be it. Kayaking can help work your entire body. This means you are working out the tension that stress brings to the body. The release of that tension leads to a relaxation effect throughout your body. This also release endorphins which can help to naturally calm your body.

By considering these benefits, you can help decide if kayaking may work into your fitness routine. You can also decide if you want to do this weekly or longer. Once you decide, you can start off your kayaking fitness routine and then work your way up to more advanced kayaking options.