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5 Reasons Why You Need to SUP For Your Health

Stand up paddle boarding for your health has increased in popularity since COVID regulations restricted the use of indoor facilities and almost forced us to start exploring more outdoor activities. Paddle Boarding is not just a fun activity, it also has a wealth of health benefits. Here are five health benefits of stand up paddle boarding in more detail.

Improves Balance

Balance is so important for general health and well-being, particularly as we age. Stand up paddle boarding improves balance in a few different ways.

SUP For Your Health
Paddling requires the use of core muscles to maintain balance. This improves core strength and stability and has a positive impact on balance.
Standing on a moving board and attempting to maintain balance while paddling can also help to improve ‘proprioception’ – the body’s ability to sense its position in space. This can help combat aging.

Improves Strength

Stand up paddle boarding is a full-body workout that engages a variety of muscle groups, including the core, upper body, and lower body.

As you stretch forward to start your paddle stroke, your core engages and you use upper body and leg muscles to transfer the catch of the paddle through your body to the board.

When your body twists and turns, your abs and obliques are forced to contract and lengthen. As you continue to move, your glutes, quads, and hamstrings will work overtime to keep you and your board moving through the water. So what muscles does paddle boarding work?

Core Strength

One of the key muscle groups that is targeted during stand up paddle boarding is the core. The act of paddling requires the use of the core muscles to maintain balance and stability on the board.

Is sup good for your back? These muscles, including the abdominal and back muscles, are constantly engaged as you paddle, helping to strengthen and tone them over time.

Here’s more information on why it’s important to maintain good core stability.

SUP For Your Health


Upper Body Strength

The upper body muscles are also heavily utilised during stand up paddle boarding. The chest, back, and shoulder muscles are all engaged as you use the paddle to propel yourself forward.

SUP For Your Health

Leg and Glut Strength

The leg muscles are also used during stand up paddle boarding, particularly when adjusting your balance and stance on the board. Standing on the board and paddling requires the use of the quadriceps, calves, and gluteal muscles, helping to strengthen and tone them as well.

SUP For Your Health

Stress Reduction

The act of stand up paddle boarding itself can be very relaxing and calming, as it requires focus and attention to balance and move. This helps to engage the mind and improve mindfulness, helping to clear the mind and reduce stress.

Being out on the water, surrounded by nature is a calming and peaceful experience. The sights and sounds of the water can help to relax the mind and distract from daily stresses.

SUP For Your Health

Paddle Boarding with friends and family also contributes to stress reduction by improving social connections and support systems. Strong social connections have been linked to lower stress levels and improved mental well-being.

Improves Heart Health

Paddling on a stand up paddle board requires the use of multiple muscle groups and gets the heart pumping, increasing cardiovascular endurance and improving heart health.

Regular physical activity has been shown to have a variety of benefits for heart health, including improving blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and insulin sensitivity. Stand up paddle boarding is a great way of introducing physical activity while being in full control of your level of effort and intensity.

Helps With Weight Control – Calories Burned Paddleboarding…

Stand up paddle boarding is a high-energy activity that can help to burn calories and boost metabolism. Depending on intensity level, you’re likely to burn between 340 – 460 calories per hour while stand up paddle boarding.

Stand up paddle boarding is a low-impact sport, which means that it places less strain on the joints and muscles than activities such as running or cycling. This can make it an excellent option for people looking to stay active and burn calories, while minimising the risk of injury.

How To SUP Yoga

Here’s a video showing you some basic Yoga moves to get started. Or check out our post on SUP Yoga and Meditation.

SUP Yoga tips

SUP for your health!