The Cardiovascular Benefits of Kayaking
Because kayaking is so fun, it’s hard to believe that it is also a good way to stay fit! Kayaking, however, is the perfect workout for those who want to stay (or get) in shape and enjoy the outdoors. If you’re considering signing up for a Las Vegas kayak tour with Blazin’ Paddles, you will want to have a base fitness level first to make the most of your experience. If you’re getting into kayaking as a sport, we have some tips and inspiration to get started.
What are the health benefits of kayaking?
Kayaking is an excellent choice of aerobic activity for multiple reasons. For one, it is a perfect way to get out of the house if you work from home or care for the kids. If you have friends who also enjoy kayaking, it’s also a great reason to spend time with them. Kayaking has many physical and psychological benefits as well that can help you live a happier and even longer life!
Cardiovascular Health
One of the main benefits of a Las Vegas kayak workout is cardiovascular. Kayaking gets your heart rate up and your heart pumping, which in turn improves circulation and stamina. If you go kayaking often enough, you will start to build muscle in your heart, which further improves endurance and stamina. When that happens, it’s easier for your heart to supply the rest of your body with blood and oxygen. In addition to getting into better shape, having a more efficient heart reduces your risk of heart disease and helps you feel better in your daily life.
Combat Heart Disease
In addition to maintaining (or reducing) your weight and eating healthy foods, exercise can tremendously reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. That includes many kinds of exercise, including kayaking! Kayaking, especially when moving along at a good pace, can get your heart pumping. When the heart works harder, it produces more red blood cells, which help to deliver oxygen and blood throughout your body.
Weight Control
One main benefit of signing up for a Colorado River kayaking tour is making your heart healthier. Along with strengthening the heart muscles, one of the ways that you can improve your heart’s health and endurance is by maintaining a healthy weight. Depending on where you are kayaking and how rigorous your kayaking expedition is, you can burn anywhere from 400-500 calories per hour out on the boat! Kayaking can be a great option if you are trying to lose or maintain weight. It also helps to build muscle and define your upper body, so you’ll have the added benefit of getting a chiseled and sculpted physique if you take up, or are consistent with, kayaking in Las Vegas.
Reducing Stress
Heart problems can be attributed to many problems, including stress. While strengthening your heart muscles through kayaking is a great start, you may also need to make other lifestyle changes to get the full benefits of a healthier heart. Although it might not sound like it will accomplish much in the way of fitness and improving health, reducing stress can provide many health benefits. While any regular workout can help lower your stress levels, you can get even more of those benefits through kayaking, as you’ll be spending time outside and in a peaceful natural setting while getting in a good workout. Spending time outdoors has also been shown to reduce stress levels, so you’ll be getting double the benefit by working out and getting away from the crowds. If you decide to go kayaking in a peaceful place like a calm river or lake, you’ll also get more of the meditative and relaxing benefits of kayaking.
Muscle Strength and Endurance
Regular kayaking can improve your heart’s muscle strength and other parts of your body. Kayaking will help to strengthen and tone other muscles throughout the body, especially if you do it regularly. Kayaking uses most of the core muscles to maneuver through the water and muscles in the extremities. Although you use fewer extremity muscles than core muscles kayaking, you may actually feel like you’re using more muscles in the arms and legs while paddling through the water. If you start kayaking more often, the muscles throughout your body will become more toned. You will also improve your strength, which helps you move through the water faster and more efficiently on an Emerald Cave kayak tour or any other kayaking journey that you go on alone or with Blazin’ Paddles.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a crucial element for health. While it’s possible to consume some amount of Vitamin D through diet, many people must find other ways to get enough Vitamin D, which includes spending more time out in the sun. Even just a half-day tour with Blazin’ Paddles can help meet your Vitamin D quota. Keep in mind that while it’s important to get enough sunlight to meet your Vitamin D quota, it is also possible to get too much sun exposure. If you’re planning to embark on an Emerald Cave kayak tour or another lengthy kayaking expedition, be sure to apply sunscreen and bring some along in case you need to apply more later on.
Abs and Arms
If there’s one muscle group that people wish they could improve, it’s generally the abs. Fortunately, kayaking can target those muscles and more. When you kayak regularly, getting the six-pack abs you have been hoping for is possible. Kayaking tends to work the core muscles in large part through repetitive motions. Kayaking also requires stabilization and balance, which also help to improve your core muscles.
Along with the abs, kayaking helps to give you toned arms as well. Regular kayaking helps your arms look bigger and more toned. The muscles throughout your arms are improved as well, including all the way down your arm. Even if you’re not a pro kayaker you can look forward to building muscle and improving your overall muscle strength and fitness through kayaking.
Better Leg Muscles
When you go for a Las Vegas kayak tour, you probably think that the arm muscles are the major muscle group you will work out. While you will work your arm and core muscles, your leg muscles will also get in shape from kayaking. Although you might not even think of your legs while you’re out paddling on the water, kayaking requires balance, which requires using your leg muscles. If you are traveling straight down a river or navigating a current, you are using your leg muscles just as much as any other muscle group in your body. The more time you spend out on the water, the more toned your muscles will become.
Endurance
The more time you spend on the water, the more your endurance and stamina will increase. Even if you spend just three days per week kayaking, your energy levels can increase by up to 20 percent! That means you’ll have more energy kayaking and performing your daily activities.
If you are ready to get in shape for an Emerald Cave kayak tour or any other kayaking outing, don’t hesitate to contact Blazin’ Paddles for assistance and advice or to sign up for the tour of your choice.
