Hello everyone. Today’s guest post comes from SupGearAustralia – an Australian based retailer of Stand Up Paddle Boards.
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If you’re trying to get fit, and want to be really thorough about making sure you get fit and stay fit, water sports are definitely a great option. At any level of fitness, you can start from a very basic level. The water exercises are also incredible fun, like paddle board, which automatically improves your balance, posture and muscle coordination.
Getting Fit Basics
The first thing to remember is that you’re trying to get fit, not kill yourself.
If you’ve been really unfit, or are convalescing, take things at a reasonable pace. You will need to build your fitness progressively and systematically. Forget the hype about reps and pushing the pain barrier, etc. Those sayings are for those whose fitness levels are already very high, and sometimes obsessive. Basic fitness means lack of fatigue, improved stamina and endurance, and feeling great.
If you’re unfit, getting a coach is a very good idea. A professional can provide you with realistic workouts which will build fitness almost effortlessly. (Aerobics, yoga and Qigong aka Tai Chi, are excellent for this.) You’ll notice in about a week that you’re suddenly feeling a lot better, but continue with your exercises. Fitness doesn’t just have to be “built”- It has to be “built in”, and that’s what professional exercise routines do.
Water Sports
Whatever other exercises you may be doing, basic swimming, water exercises, and even just getting in the water and letting your body escape from gravity for a while will do a lot of good in a hurry. A few laps of a pool can build muscles you didn’t even know you had.
Water sports are the next step, when you’re comfortable in the water and able to move freely. This is a type of agility training, and it’s great for developing excellent motor skills and strength. Don’t expect to join the US Olympic water polo team overnight, but you’ll find that your fitness hits new levels almost instantly.
The Fun Side of Fitness
When you’ve got the confidence, you’ll start to appreciate the changes your new fitness has created, and understand how to really enjoy being fit. Water sports like paddle boards are fantastic for fitness. The posture and balance, you may be interested to hear, work directly on the most important muscle groups of all, those of the back. All the muscle groups are based on these big, powerful muscles, and so is physical strength. Paddle boards, like surfing, really develop these muscles, which are in constant use. The difference is that unlike surfing, you’re not just riding a wave, you’re using your board for things like navigation. Paddle boards are becoming very popular because they’re so versatile.
Paddle boarding takes some learning, but it also has all the things you need for really effective fitness and muscle development. This sport involves a full upper body workout of all muscle groups and excellent footwork and balance.
However you approach getting fit, always remember that the best workouts are also usually the most fun. Get fit, have fun, and you’ll spend years looking at old photos of yourself wondering how you ever lived without your exercises.
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If you want to start paddle boarding then why not create your own paddle? DIY Surf Gear teaches you how to make your very own stand up surf paddle with no specialised tools in just 10 easy steps:
