PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF PADDLING

Have you ever considered paddling as a way to stay physically fit and mentally healthy? Research has shown that regular exercise is important for your overall health, and paddling is a great low-impact activity that offers many benefits.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Consistently paddling 4-5 mph in a boat for an hour can burn 400 calories and up, depending on the person. Plus, it’s more fun to be out on the water for an hour than stuck indoors on a treadmill. If you spend an afternoon paddling, you can burn upwards of 1,500 calories, in addition to all

the other benefits you reap

while on the water.

MORE CORE STRENGTH

Your core plays a crucial role in helping you stay centered and balanced on the water. The motion of paddling works your lower back, abs, and obliques. Engaging your core with proper posture, improves both your comfort and the efficiency of your paddling strokes.

INCREASED UPPER-BODY STRENGTH

Paddling is an excellent upper body workout that can improve your strength and muscle tone. While you rely primarily on your arms to propel yourself through water, you inadvertently use surrounding muscles as well, including the ones in your shoulders, chest, and back. The more you paddle, the more you use these muscles and build muscle tone and strength.

IMPROVED CARDIAC HEALTH

Kayaking is a form of cardiac exercise, which means that it gets your blood flowing. Cardiac exercise is optimal for strengthening your heart, which improves its ability to pump blood and regulate circulation. A strong heart also produces more red blood cells. As with other types of physical exercise, the more you paddle, the stronger your heart will become, which provides greater physical benefits.

TONED LEGS & Core

While you might think of paddling as an activity that only works your upper body, as you learn better technique you will start using your legs, hips, and core to help stabilize the boat, turn it, and brace it. This results in more strength and better rotation per stroke. As you continue to paddle, you will notice these muscles become more

toned over time.

BETTER ENDURANCE

All the hours that you spend paddling add up to improve your stamina and endurance. Over time, paddling becomes easier the longer you go, which means that you will eventually travel longer and longer distances without getting tired as quickly. Paddling as little as three 3X a week can boost your energy levels up to 20%; giving you more energy to perform your daily activities.

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS

MOOD BOOST

Kayaking releases the “feel good” chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, can put you in a better mood and boost your self-confidence levels. Being out in the open water is very meditative and allows your brain to release those thoughts that are racing through your brain and help you be more present.

A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

Exercising during the day naturally makes you tired, which helps you fall asleep more quickly and sleep more soundly through the night. Overall, you’ll find that your sleep quality improves, and you wake up well-rested the following day.

IMPROVED FOCUS

The same neurotransmitters that make you feel happier when you’re out paddling are also associated with an increase in attention span and the ability to focus. Doing some sort of physical activity and then getting back to work helps you get through the tasks with more focus and determination.

BETTER MEMORY

Paddling exercises the hippocampus, a portion of your brain largely responsible for verbal memory and learning. Consistently getting out to paddle, will continue to tone and improve that region of your brain, while also increasing blood flow within the brain and stimulating new brain cells.