Stand up paddle boarding the ultimate work out.

About two years ago I was introduced to stand up paddle boarding or also known as SUP.  Since then my endurance and core strength has never been stronger.  Everyone knows that core conditioning is extremely important but who likes to hold planks for 60 seconds at a time while staring at the ground or doing crunches where it is almost a guarantee you will strain your neck at some point.  Now I’m not saying that these exercises aren't good or important to incorporate into your workout.  I’m just saying that there is a more fun and more effective way.  With stand up paddle boarding you are working every muscle in the body making it a total body workout.  Your legs are the foundation for the power house being your core. You’re using your arms as its extension of the core providing the power which transfers to the paddle. As a bonus you are balancing on a board in water giving it a balance and stability characteristic.  So pretty much it would be like doing wall sits on a bosu while crunching and doing a dumbbell press and row at the same time. If you can do this at the gym for more than 30 seconds or at all I would be very impressed, where as with paddle boarding you can go for hours and enjoy it.
          Now for some reason everyone thinks that stand up paddle boarding can only be done in Hawaii…..why I don't know.  That might be where it originated from but I am pretty sure that we have water in the northwest. Sure we don't have 80 degree weather every day but we do have some of the most beautiful waterways in the world and they do make a thing called a wetsuit.  Which by the way are extremely warm and flexible unlike older models.  By having the right gear you can paddle year round in the Pacific Northwest and love every minute of it.

Final thought: I am a strong believer in resistance training to increase performance and endurance but when it comes to core conditioning or one single exercise that will target all the muscles in the body there isn't one better than stand up paddling boarding. If stand up paddle boarding interests you give me a call or email and I can get you out paddling in no time. Also visit perfectwave.com or stop by the shop for all your SUP needs.

Contact: Fitness expert outdoor at (206)227-8612
Email: Fitnessexpertoutdoor@hotmail.com