Kayaking is a great way to get a full-body workout that can also help you lose weight. This low-impact aerobic activity can help you burn belly fat, while also strengthening and toning your arms, legs, and core. Kayaking is enjoyable, whether you choose to paddle around a lake, river, or even the ocean, and it’s a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature.
In addition to the physical benefits of kayaking, it also has mental and emotional benefits, such as improving your mood, decreasing stress and anxiety, and providing a sense of accomplishment. Whether you’re looking for an enjoyable way to get in shape or just want to try something new, kayaking is an excellent option for achieving your weight loss goals.
What is kayaking?
Kayaking is a water sport in which a seated person uses a paddling motion to propel a boat, often a sit-on-top kayak, using a double-bladed paddle. Kayaking can be done as a recreational sport or a competitive sport. There are many different types of kayaks, each designed for different purposes, such as racing, touring, whitewater, or fishing. Kayaking can be done in any body of water, but it is most often done on lakes, rivers, and the ocean. There are different types of kayaking, including whitewater kayaking, recreational kayaking, and sea kayaking.
Whitewater kayaking is the most physically demanding type of kayaking, while sea kayaking requires the greatest skill and mental discipline. Recreational kayaking is the most common type of kayaking, and is generally done on calm water. Recreational kayaking is often done as a low-impact aerobic activity, while competitive kayaking is often done as a sport.
Benefits of kayaking
There are many benefits of kayaking, including getting a full body workout, burning calories, strengthening muscles, and improving your mental and emotional health.
Weight loss
- Kayaking is a low-impact aerobic activity that can help you burn calories and lose weight. A 155-pound person could burn around 300 calories in one hour of kayaking.
Muscle toning
- While kayaking doesn’t build muscle in the same way that strength training does, it can help improve muscle tone. Kayaking works your arms, legs, core, and back muscles to help improve muscle tone.
Full body workout
- Kayaking provides a full body workout and can help improve endurance and strength, while reducing your risk of injury.
Does kayaking burn belly fat?
One of the main benefits of kayaking is that it can help you lose weight and reduce belly fat. While kayaking won’t target your belly fat directly, it can help you burn enough calories to lose weight. A 155-pound person could burn around 300 calories in one hour of kayaking. If you kayak for two hours per week, you could lose around one pound every two weeks. If you are trying to lose weight, it is recommended that you lose no more than two pounds per week. You can also use other aspects of kayaking to help you lose belly fat. For example, you can use proper posture to help reduce the appearance of your abdominal area.
Kayaking for weight loss
Kayaking can help you lose weight by providing an enjoyable, low-impact aerobic activity. To lose weight while kayaking, try paddling for around two hours per week. If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s recommended that you lose no more than two pounds per week. Therefore, if you kayak for two hours per week, you could lose about one pound every two weeks. You can also use other aspects of kayaking to help you lose weight. For example, you can use proper posture to help reduce the appearance of your abdominal area.
How to get started with kayaking
If you’ve never kayaked before, you can start with a basic technique course that teaches you how to properly paddle and maneuver a kayak. These courses are available at many lakes and rivers, and some outdoor recreation stores also offer kayak courses. Once you’ve completed a kayak course and learned the basics, try kayaking on your own. You can kayak on calm, quiet water such as a lake or river, or you can also kayak on the ocean, as long as you are prepared for the potential of rough conditions.
Kayaking safety tips
Before you begin kayaking, you should always make sure your kayak is properly sized and fitted for you, as well as your paddling partner. Make sure that there is enough room between your knees and the kayak’s knees, as well as enough room between your feet and the kayak’s foot braces. When paddling, make sure you have the correct kayaking posture, with your back straight and your torso upright. You can prevent back pain and injury by maintaining good posture while kayaking. When kayaking in cold water, make sure you wear a life jacket, as well as other protective gear, and avoid kayaking alone in unfamiliar waters.
Kayaking gear and equipment
Before you head out to kayak, make sure you have all the necessary gear and equipment. You should have the appropriate clothing, including a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and rain gear if necessary. You should also have the appropriate kayaking equipment, including a properly sized kayak, the necessary safety gear, and proper nutrition and hydration for your kayaking trip. One of the most important pieces of equipment for kayaking is your paddle, which you’ll need to choose based on your kayak’s design as well as your kayaking style.
Kayaking exercises for weight loss
Kayaking provides an enjoyable full-body workout, helping you strengthen and tone muscles, while also burning calories and losing weight. You can also use kayaking to perform specific exercises that can help you lose weight. Squats
- Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Place your hands on your hips.
Bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground while keeping your back straight. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly stand back up. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Push-ups
- Get into a plank position, with your hands placed shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line from head to toe. Slowly lower yourself towards the ground, until your chest nearly touches the floor, and then push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Mental and emotional benefits of kayaking
Whenever you engage in an activity that you enjoy, you can reap a variety of mental and emotional benefits. Kayaking is an excellent option for enjoying the great outdoors, while also improving your mental and emotional health.
Mood improvement
- Kayaking can help improve your mood, especially if you kayak on the water. Being near or on the water is often associated with feelings of calmness and relaxation.
Stress reduction
- Kayaking can help reduce your stress levels and improve your overall mental health. If you kayak on the water, you’ll also be able to enjoy the benefits of being near water, including reduced stress and anxiety.
Conclusion
Overall, kayaking is a great way to get exercise and improve your health, as well as provide a variety of mental and emotional benefits. If you’ve never kayaked before, you can start with a basic technique course, or book a guided kayak trip if there are available kayak rental options. Once you’ve learned the basics of kayaking, try kayaking on your own. You can kayak on calm, quiet water, like a lake or river, or even on the ocean, as long as you are prepared for the potential of rough conditions.
