Activities for Great Water Workouts

There’s nothing like the water when it’s warm—or when you’re on a vacation to somewhere with warm weather! If you’re into fitness, the water also provides a number of wonderful opportunities for conditioning.

Great water workouts to try

Today we’ll get a little more into water-based activities that can specifically help you get fantastic water workouts.

1. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

Stand Up Paddle Board Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a board-based sport, but one that requires a board and paddle.

This is another sport that combines an incredibly fun, rewarding experience with the potential for fitness.

For one thing, staying on the board requires some balance and stability, not unlike surfing – although paddleboarders use longer and wider boards, and usually prefer calmer waters.

Another fitness-promoting aspect of this sport has to do with the exercise of paddling itself. Stand-up paddleboarding requires a paddle, and that means you get many of the same fitness benefits associated with rafting and kayaking.

All in all, this is one of the best ways to get fit on the water. You will need a paddleboard to do this sport, and since it’s more fun with family or a friend, check out paddleboard 2 pack deals.

We’ve talked before about key ways to stay active at the beach during the summer, and this may be the very best—not to mention one of the most versatile since you can also practice it on the lake or a suitable river.

2. Rafting

Whether you’re looking to hit up a river, a lake, or the ocean, you can have a great time and a great conditioning experience rafting.

The exercise of paddling is excellent for promoting arm, back, and shoulder muscles, and it’s also good for building core strength.

On the whole, rafting is an excellent sport for fitness, one which can also get your adrenaline up if you tackle rougher waters.

3. Kayaking

Similar to rafting in that it involves paddling, kayaking is excellent for toning your legs, arms, and core while also experiencing the outdoors.

If you’re looking for a combination of cardio and strength training that’s difficult to beat, look no farther than kayaking!

4. Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding is a sport that entails standing on a small board and being towed behind a boat – simple enough in concept, though it can be challenging to master. Remember to put your best foot forward and use a beginner wakeboarding stance.

The good news is that even if it takes some time to learn, you’ll have plenty of fun along the way, and it’s a great way to promote fitness.

Hanging onto the tow rope and balancing on the board is an excellent way to promote arm, leg, and core strength.

5. Water Aerobics

It’s obvious that swimming is an amazing form of exercise, one which provides a low-impact workout all over. If you’re looking to improve your fitness experience in the water, though, consider trying some water aerobics exercises.

Water aerobics can be as simple as walking back and forth across the pool, using the water resistance to get a workout. You can also try jumping jacks in the pool, even a skipping rope exercise with a pool noodle.

6. Surfing

Surfing is one of the most famous water-based sports, and it’s not hard to see why: the adrenaline rush associated with catching a wave is amazing and makes for some fairly epic experiences.

Surfing takes time and discipline to learn, but it’s also incredibly fun and a fantastic way to promote fitness.

When you ride the waves on a surfboard, you have to use your core and your legs to stay balanced, and swimming out to catch the swell is a great way to get a workout for your arms, too.

7. Windsurfing

Windsurfing is another board-based sport, albeit with the addition of a sail. What windsurfing offers is the ability to combine sailing and surfing, making for an experience that is thrilling in ways that speak to both activities: like sailing, you get to catch the wind, and like surfing, you get to ride the waves.

The physical fitness benefits of windsurfing are also similar to those of surfing. Again, you have to use your core and your legs because of the board.

The fact that you have to direct the sail also means a great workout for your upper body and forearms down into your lower back.

Wrap-Up

Summer heat, or even a winter vacation to a tropical beach destination, means plenty of wonderful opportunities to have fun in the water. As we’ve seen with the sports and activities featured here, it also means plenty of opportunities to promote fitness.

Water-based sports are some of the best ways to combine recreation and fitness because they are incredibly fitness-promoting as well as a great deal of fun.

Try any or all of the water-based activities featured here, and you’re likely to have an amazing workout and an incredibly good time.