The popularity of water sports is not increasing just because of the adrenaline rush you get from them. Not only can water sports help you get a cool tan but you can also gain several health benefits by participating in them. Water sports are a complete physical exercise that can fortify your bones and strengthen your muscles simultaneously. They also improve one’s balance, agility, and mental presence and can reduce signs of aging. Water sports are exciting and fun, and they also get you out in the fresh air. They will get your spirits up, lighten your mood and will make you refreshed and energized.
Participating in water sports can be an entertaining and fun way to spend some quality time with the whole family. And who wouldn’t like to spend some time at the beach instead of hitting the gym for some exercise? Here is a list of water sports with great health benefits that you should definitely try this summer.
- Surfing
Originating in Hawaii, surfing has made its way all around the world. It is a very popular and enjoyable water sport that has loads of health benefits. Surfing can improve your cardiovascular fitness and stamina due to the paddling. The paddling also works your arm and back muscles, and it can contribute to increasing their strength. When you stand up on the board to ride a wave your whole body goes into action. This requires great core and leg strength which is increased by surfing.
Surfing is a great way to spend some quality time outdoors in the fresh air and natural environment. Surfing is also quite beneficial for one’s mental health. It can be a great outlet for stress and tension. But surfing isn’t as easy as it looks taking some lessons before you head into the larger waves is not a bad idea, and it will make sure that you don’t make a fool out of yourself. Always wear protective gear while surfing and make sure that a life guard is on duty before you head out to the water.
- Swimming
Swimming is a simple yet very effective water sport that everyone can participate in. It is a fun sport for the whole family. The great thing about swimming is that you don’t need to head out to the beach for it. Swimming can be enjoyed in a pool, and if you have a pool at home, then you only need to as far as your backyard. Swimming works almost all the muscles in the body, and it keeps your heart rate up. Swimming can build up your endurance, muscle strength and stamina.
The magnitude of these benefits can be greatly increased for those people who want to take swimming to a competitive level. Breast stroke, backstroke, freestyle, and butterfly are the main strokes used in competitive swimming while the distance can vary form fifty meters in a swimming pool to larger distances in outdoor swimming.
On a competitive level, swimming can be considered as a full body workout, and it can strengthen and tone your muscles. Swimming is also beneficial for the mind as it can significantly lower stress levels and can relieve tension.
- Flyboarding
For all the adrenaline seekers out there, Flyboarding is the perfect mix of fun and fitness on water. A flyboard is like a water jetpack that is attached to a water hose that propels water at high pressure due to which the rider can go up to fifteen meters in the air. Maintaining balance on a flyboard, you will increase your core and leg strength.
Flyboarding is a very fun and innovative method for burning calories and staying fit. It also gives you the required exposure to the outdoors and natural environment. Flyboarding in the sun can be a great way to gain vitamin D, which is achieved through sunlight. Flyboarding provides an adrenaline rush and gets your heart rate up which is beneficial for your cardiovascular health. Overall Flyboarding is an exciting and fun activity that the whole family can enjoy.
- Kayaking
Kayaking is another fun water sport that has a lot of benefits. A kayak is a small boat that is built for only one person and is easy to control. The person in the kayak uses two paddles. Using these paddles to row the kayak forward engages the upper body muscles. It works on your chest, arm, shoulder and back muscles.
Contrary to the previously mentioned sports kayaking is also peaceful and meditative apart from being exhilarating. If you’re kayaking in a river or in fast water, then the sport can be very exhilarating and can pump up your heart to improve your cardiovascular health while as if it is done in slow and steady water it can be very enjoyable and meditative. Overall, kayaking has many great mental and physical health benefits.Click here to know more about kayaking.
- Snorkeling
Swimming underwater is basically called snorkeling. The divers are equipped with a diving mask that is connected to an oxygen tank. Apart from putting you in contact with the very enjoyable and fascinating underwater world, snorkeling is also very beneficial for your health. This fun and recreational watersport works on your whole body and can greatly increase the strength of your shoulders, quads, hip flexors, core, ankles, hamstring, and calves.
Snorkeling increases your strength as you have to swim around while wearing heavy gear and carrying a significantly heavy oxygen tank. Snorkeling can also improve your breathing as it increases your oxygen intake. Snorkeling can be a great workout for people with joint pain because moving in the water decreases the impact that your joints feel during regular exercise. Swimming slowly underwater is an exercise that is quite easy on the joints and can relive pain in the joints.
Snorkeling is very meditative for the human brain as you get to enjoy the very beautiful and colorful aquatic life. So, the next time you visit the ocean consider going snorkeling and experience equally beautiful and fascinating underwater world
- Windsurfing
Windsurfing is one of the most enjoyable and exciting watersports out there. But you need to learn how to windsurf before you can really enjoy it. Once you have achieved the skill of windsurfing you can gain the advantages that come with it. Windsurfing improves your cardiovascular health as your heart rate increases significantly while doing such an exhilarating and fun activity.
Wind surfing is a great alternative to normal high impact cardio exercises like jogging and running that, of course, are not even slightly as fun as wind surfing. Wind surfing also improves your leg and core strength as you require lots of it to balance yourself on a high-speed board. And who wants to do crunches when they can enjoy themselves and increase their core strength simultaneously by windsurfing.
Windsurfing is also very beneficial for one’s mental health as it can reduce stress and tension. Overall windsurfing is a very innovative and enjoyable exercise that has many physical and mental benefits.
Author bio:
Tom is a blogger and a nature lover. He is obsessed with traveling and adventures and that too with his family. He believes that water has a steady hold of him. He regularly writes about his experiences at kayakcritic.
