Health Benefits of Kayaking

Malibu Kayaks is a provider of vessels that people use for many different reasons - to simply get out on the water to experience marine life in a more close-up setting, to find and pull in those fish that can't be found from shore and others. However, one of the main benefits of using our products is often overlooked - the health benefits. Below is a brief overview of what those who spend their time kayaking can expect to experience.

Weight Loss

Kayaking is exercise, especially for those who like to get out on the water and move around for extended periods of time. Estimates have indicated that paddling a kayak for one hour can burn approximately 400 - 500 calories depending on a person's size and metabolism. Therefore, a day of kayaking can burn thousands of calories, which equates to the amount of calories burned in a long-distance run without the pain, wear and tear on knees and ankles.

Muscle Fitness

The movement involved with paddling a kayak incorporates just about every muscle group in the upper body, and even some in the lower body because of the need for a strong base of support inside the kayak. These muscle groups include the arms, shoulders, chest, back and perhaps most importantly the core. Core stability and training is an entire subset of programs offered by personal trainers, but paddling a kayak gives you the same benefits without sweating it out in an indoor gym.

Cardiovascular Benefits

In addition to the weight loss and muscle fitness that are byproducts of paddling a kayak, there are also cardiovascular gains that every kayaker makes when moving his or her kayak across the water. Learning to breathe in rhythm with the movement of every stroke will condition your lungs to inhale and exhale deeply and smoothly, and over time this approach will provide you with more energy and endurance in just about every activity that's part of your day.

Stress Relief

Finally, there are psychological benefits to kayaking as well. Multiple studies have shown that exercise is one of the healthiest forms of stress relief because of the hormones excreted and because of other physiological processes that result from exerting yourself. The fact that you can obtain this benefit while having fun out on the water and under the sun only adds to the pleasure that can be derived from kayaking.

If you would like to learn more about how kayaking can benefit you both in terms of getting to where you want to go and in regards to shaping your body, your mind and your spirit while you enjoy that time on the water should contact the professionals at Malibu Kayaks today to find out what sort of kayak is right for you.