Top 5 Health Benefits of Canoeing and Kayaking

Both of these small boats bring many health benefits, yet there are a couple of subtle differences when you look at a kayak vs. canoe.

Kayak

This is enclosed, and you sit with your legs extended. A double-bladed paddle is used for paddling.

Health Benefits of Kayaking

Canoe

This is open, and you either sit or kneel inside the canoe. A single-bladed paddle is used to paddle from alternating sides of the canoe.

Health Benefits of CanoeingEither vessel is an excellent way of having some adventure while keeping fit, and you will also find. It is a beautiful way to escape those overcrowded gyms. After a while, you will also see that you can exercise your spiritual and mental side, and you are physical.

Not only is canoeing and kayaking a fantastic solo sport, but it’s also great to do it with partners or friends and make it a social event that helps to build a sense of community between you all.

Here are the top 5 health benefits of kayaking and canoeing:

Losing Weight and Gaining Stamina

Gaining Stamina in kayaking and canoeingThere are many places where you can kayak or canoe. From a sedate lake, a river to in the sea, and no matter where you do it, they all help you lose weight and gain stamina. On the ocean or up a river may increase your muscles strength and endurance more than on a lake, yet that is not to say paddling around a calm surface is any less beneficial.

Regular paddling will burn around 400 calories per hour, so you can see how beneficial a few hours can be to your overall weight. On the stamina side of things, paddling is a continual motion you have to do to maintain speed.

Complete Body Workout

When you watch someone in a kayak or a canoe, it seems they only use their arms. This is a misconception, and after your first time, you’ll see how much of your core strength has been exercised.

Both kayaking and canoeing are low-impact exercises that use all of the muscles in your body to paddle. From your arms, shoulders, abs, legs, and chest, you will feel all of them being used.

Less Stress

Exercise can reduce symptoms of stress and depression for up to 12 hours. When you are out in the open Reduce Stress in kayaking and canoeingsurrounded by nature, the effects will be significantly enhanced. The amount of time might not be extended, yet the calming effect you feel will be so much better.

Exercise creates endorphins which are the body’s natural painkillers. It is these that help reduce stress. Breathing deeply also produces endorphins, so as you are paddling, your breathing will be deep, and you will be producing endorphins this way.

Not to mention the calm waters and the sounds of the birds. It will be almost trance-like. No healthier way or sport improves mental health on such a global scale. (Read Benefits Of Kayaking)

Cardio Vascular Health

Paddling along with rowing is one of the best exercises you can do for cardiovascular health. This overall improvement in cardiovascular health is achieved in a couple of different ways.

Cardiac muscles are strengthened, which helps circulate more blood due to your increased heart rate. As your heart becomes stronger, your blood pressure will reduce your heart rate while resting. You also feel you have an increase in overall energy levels.

The exercise of this type gives a great upper body workout which goes a long way in increasing your overall health by starting with your cardiovascular system.

Self-Image

Kayaking and Canoeing are great ways to increase your social circle. If you find you have to join a club to take part, all the better. You will find many like-minded people who are in the same boat, so to speak. When you begin to tackle rougher waters upriver or on the ocean, your confidence grows.

Self-Image in kayaking and canoeingThis has an overall impact on your self-esteem. If you take part with friends or in a club, you can also find that you naturally increase your social skills while gaining a much better sense of self-satisfaction.

Overall, kayaking and canoeing are fantastic ways of interacting and not just an exercise that improves your heart health. Kayaking is also a sport that you can do with a partner in the same vessel. (Kayaking is also a great exercise for kids too)

There are many options for kayaks that seat two people . All you have to do is find the best tandem kayak for your needs, and you can spend some quality time with your partner paddling around a serene lake or pause for a while and do a spot of fishing for your lunch.

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