Kayaking and its Multiple Features

Kayaking provides a unique upper body strength and aerobic workout that nothing you do at home can match. "Kayaking provides tremendous stimulation to your lower back and abdominal muscles," says Richard Cotton, exercise physiologist for First Fitness, Inc. and a spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise. "It also works your upper back, biceps, triceps, shoulders, and forearms." After a while of kayaking you will notice a great increase in strength. Cotton says you can get great strength benefits and build your anaerobic capacity by doing interval training in a kayak-going hard for one minute, then relaxing for two to three minutes, then going hard again. "Athletes training for kayaking competition do a lot of intervals," he adds.

You'll gain aerobic power while working just about all aspects of the upper body. As an added bonus, for the average 180 pound male, if kayaking at a moderate pace can burn about 400 calories per hour. This means that in one hour at 3 mph you are going to do about 1500 repetitions of low impact upper body movements, which no matter what your fitness goals are, you are going to tone up almost every muscle in your body. If you're looking for cross-training, this is also an efficient exercise as it balances upper and lower body muscles. Another benefit is a stress reliever. You're out there with nature and maybe some boaters. So most of the time it's pretty peaceful and you see things from a different point of view.

Many shops offer, "demo trys" to try out equipment and get information on lessons. Personally, I wouldn't think lessons are necessary. Once you have done a few demos or rented one for a day and got the hang of it. It is very easy to understand and get good form, then, you'll be set. However, if you do want lessons, you'll probably pay a pretty penny but they can range from introductory to advanced as well as competitive and race training. If you want to buy a kayak of your own, which you might want to look into if you're a beginner, you'll be looking to pay about $300. Of course there are many different kinds ranging in price but your average one-seater ocean kayak will be about $300. There are numerous places to take your kayak, including, oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers and whitewater kayaking. It's a great hobby and thing to pass the time as well as stress reliever and body toner.