Gone are the days where you would only find a stand-up paddleboard at a luxury resort somewhere in the tropics. The sport of stand up paddle boarding (SUP) has become more and more popular worldwide every year. In fact, the stand-up paddle sport is being considered for possible inclusion in the Olympic Games by the year 2028.
Stand up paddleboarding has multiple benefits for everyone, from kids to parents, and can provide a fun and safe type of exercise to enjoy outdoors. Do you know there are many health benefits of this sport, too?
5 health benefits of SUP
1. Increases core strength
Using a SUP is an incredible core workout. The action of digging the paddle into the water creates an external oblique workout that is both functional and challenging. Plus, to keep yourself from falling off the board, you have to keep your core to be engaged.
2. Increases stamina
A recent study done by the American Council on Exercise discovered that if you were leisurely paddling with your friends, you may not get a good workout. However, as a sport, when you are continuously paddling at a heart rate of over 65% of your target heart rate zone, you are getting a continuous cardiovascular challenge.
3. Mental health booster
There are many studies to show that simply being outdoors surrounded by nature is a huge benefit for your mental well-being. When doing SUP you are immersed in the great outdoors and this is very good for reducing stress and boosting feel-good hormones. Added to this, going on a SUP outing with other people is also good for improving mood because many people enjoy the company of others.
4. Increases joint stability
Stand up paddle boarding activates some of those tiny muscles that you may have forgotten about. Numerous little muscles around the ankles, knees, hips and shoulder joints, which are essential for stability, are used when stand up paddleboarding. Since paddleboarding challenges your stability, all these little muscles are getting a chance to be stimulated and worked out in a way that not many other exercises can offer.
5. Whole body and mind workout
While you are standing on the paddleboard, you are flexing the legs, engaging the core and using all your little stabilisers. While you are paddling through the water, you are engaging your lats, moving your shoulders and strengthening your core as you glide over the water. Your focus and concentration are also being challenged while you ensure you are not falling into the water.
