How to Train for Extreme Kayaking

How to Train for Extreme Kayaking
For those who enjoy whitewater rafting, extreme kayaking ups the ante. In fact, kayaking requires more core and oblique strength, better stamina, greater agility and balance than rafting or canoeing. A pre-season training program will give you a greater appreciation of the sport, and help you have a safe kayaking season.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:
  • Stability ball Medicine ball Balance board Rowing machine
  • Stability ball
  • Medicine ball
  • Balance board
  • Rowing machine
Step 1
Work your obliques. Sit on a stability ball, and roll back until you are in a sit-up position. Pick up the medicine ball. Rotating at the waist, toss it from hand to hand.
Step 2
Train your upper body with push-ups, pull-ups and dips.
Step 3
Strengthen your cardiovascular system. A rowing machine is best, because, like kayaking, it uses the upper and lower body.
Step 4
Work your legs while enhancing your balance. Perform squats on a balance board.

Tips & Warnings

 
Pool aerobics can be great for kayak training in the off-season.
 
If you have not exercised for awhile, check with your physician before beginning a fitness routine.

Article Written By Lisa Mercer

In 1999, Lisa Mercer’s fitness, travel and skiing expertise inspired a writing career. Her books include "Open Your Heart with Winter Fitness" and "101 Women's Fitness Tips." Her articles have appeared in "Aspen Magazine," "HerSports," "32 Degrees," "Pregnancy Magazine" and "Wired." Mercer has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the City College of New York.

Write for Trails.com
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