More Fun than a Run

Exercise with a twist

As a kid growing up in the Florida Panhandle, boating adventures were a part of life. These water excursions would include many things; some of them being less sedentary than others. Water skiing in particular stands out as one of the more enjoyable activities, but it was far more than just a fun way to waste the day away.

Learning to water ski can take a while, at least for me it did. The biggest problem I always had was allowing the boat to pull me up onto the skis. “Let the boat do the work!” friends and family would shout from the boat far ahead of me where the other end of the ski line was anchored. Their encouraging coaching would be in response to another one of my face-first dives into the water after a split second from takeoff.

Eventually, I learned to water ski fairly well and was able to stay up for a decent stretch of time. I can recall after those skiing sessions when I would get back into the boat and my legs would feel like limp noodles. It wouldn’t be very noticeable in the water, but the moment that the gravitational pull returned by my standing up in the boat, I’d soon feel the need to have a seat.

That’s because my legs, and indeed my whole body, had just had an intense workout! This article will attempt to ride in the wake of a gigantic tanker called Physical Fitness Dreams and along the way, reveal some of the things we can do in the water to not only have a bit of fun, but to also get a wipeout of a workout!

So the first one which I’ve already touched on is water skiing. A one hour session on the skis can burn up to 400 calories. It’s easy to put the focus on the legs when we think of body parts getting worked, but we’re actually using every muscle in the body. Upper body strength is required to maintain a good posture and the hold in the arms as you’re being pulled along at 40mph.

Surf’s up dude! Surfing provides a plethora of health benefits including cardiovascular fitness from paddling, shoulder and back strength as these muscles will also be used when paddling out into the waves. And once you’ve caught a wave, you’ll need strong legs and a strong core so you can stay up and enjoy the ride back to shore.

Paddle boarding is another great way to exercise the entire body. It's a low impact workout, helps shed the unwanted pounds, boosts cardiovascular health and seriously engages the core. It takes a lot of effort (and muscles) to stay balanced on the board for the duration of the activity. It’s also a great way to achieve that ever-so-coveted muscle tone.

Row Row Row Your Boat and you can do it gently or with a bit more vigor if you like. I’m talking about kayaking and canoeing. Try to imagine how you are sitting while you’re paddling. Don’t get the wrong impression by thinking that the torso and legs are dead in the water on this one. Indeed, a lot of power is generated from these areas to move the vessel. What’s more is by moving the paddle through the water, you’re engaging the shoulders, arms, chest and back muscles.

While I have covered 4 activities here worth trying out for a wonderful water workout, there are indeed plenty more out there. The added benefits they all carry with them are time out in nature, stress reduction, a mood boost, improved joints flexibility and bone density. Unlike clogging along through a mundane gym workout, anticipating the moment you can walk out the door, you’ll love doing these activities and won’t be thinking much about the workout they provide. Just writing this has gotten me in the mood for some calorie-killing water action!