It goes without saying that kayaking is good for your health. You may not know however that kayaking is a cross training program all on it’s own. Most people cross train these days, meaning they are involved in more than one exercise regiment that offers multiple health benefits. Fitness experts believe however that kayaking IS a “standalone” cross training program, because it involves a full range of motions and employs many different muscle groups, it requires balance, and cardio exertion. Any combination of stretching, strength training, such as push ups, sit ups, chin ups or squats, and endurance training, such as swimming or hiking, combined with balance programs such as yoga would make all of us better paddlers. But even without these, kayaking can be defined as a ‘cross training’ exercise program.
The standard forward paddle stroke is a low-impact, full-range motion that benefits your entire body. A good stroke starts at the feet and resonates up through the legs, abdomen, and torso to the paddle shaft, improving your circulation as you paddle. You will tone upper-body muscles, as well as your core. As well as strengthening the core, your joints will benefit by increased nutrients. Breathing clean air out on the water, combined with a good diet of anti oxidant rich foods, helps your immune system fight ‘oxidative stress’ much more effectively.
Even a novice kayaker can do about 300 paddle strokes per kilometre. A brisk pace of 8 km per hour burns around 400 calories. Even 2 hours of vigorous kayaking twice per week will shed unwanted pounds.
Natural resistance on the water, such as wind and choppy waves helps to build your endurance in much the same way as increasing weights on a piece of gym equipment does. The more the heart rate monitoring ensures you stay within your designated “target heart rate zone” and allows you to better pace your kayaking outings.
The device is virtually identical to the sensor devices on the handle bars of elliptical machines at the gym. Your “Target Zone” guides you by keeping you ‘locked in’ at the right intensity level for the exercise or training regiment you’re engaged in.
Continuous heart rate measurements are displayed during exercise and regular routines (These range from 30 to 250 beats per minute).
By staying in your designated “zone” during your work out, you can ensure you are pacing yourself accordingly, while shedding weight and burning fat. This heart rate monitor will help you achieve your peak athletic performance while safely monitoring your heart rate and the intensity of your workout.