| A surfing exercise program can benefit any level | | | | quickly. The bench press, pushups, pull-ups, and |
| of surfer, from the wide-eyed beginner, to the | | | | upper back moves like lat pulldowns are good in |
| grizzled veteran, and everyone in between. Even | | | | this area. Specific surf paddling exercises are |
| if you consider surfing just a casual hobby, you | | | | shoulder presses and rowers, if you have access |
| don't want to be the guy who exhausts himself | | | | to a machine. |
| after only a few minutes of paddling and then | | | | 4. Flexibility: your surfing exercise program also |
| spends most of his time in the water just trying | | | | should include stretching, something that a lot of |
| to recover. And for the serious surfer who is | | | | people tend to avoid. More flexibility and mobility |
| already in pretty good shape, see how focusing | | | | will allow you to maneuver your board better, |
| on five specific areas of surf fitness will take your | | | | remain upright, and do more tricks. As an extra |
| training to the next level, resulting in immediate | | | | benefit, if you are like some surfers and have |
| improvements on the waves. | | | | lower back problems, stretching your back and |
| So what are the five critical types of surfing | | | | hamstrings should give you some relief. |
| exercise that will make you a better surfer? | | | | 5. Lower body: conditioning your lower body is |
| 1. Cardiovascular: as part of your surf fitness, you | | | | another way to help you remain on your board |
| will want to build up your endurance. Paddling | | | | and do more advanced maneuvers. Movements |
| takes a lot of energy, and you will be doing it for | | | | involving balance and power will help strengthen |
| long stretches at a time. Running and swimming | | | | your lower body. Your surf fitness program |
| are very good surf exercises with cardio benefits. | | | | should include drills like lunges, squats, and calf |
| Be sure to do enough to keep your heart rate up | | | | raises. Incorporate the use of a stability ball to |
| for 30 minutes at a time. | | | | improve your balance even more; squats and |
| 2. Core strength: addressing your core means | | | | bridges with a fitness ball are examples of |
| building up your abdominal and back muscles, | | | | enhanced lower body strength exercises for |
| which also are very important for paddling. In | | | | surfers. |
| addition, core fitness is a big part of fighting | | | | By getting yourself fit for surfing, you will reach a |
| against the weight of the water, which is | | | | level of health that most people only can imagine. |
| something you do almost constantly while surfing | | | | You also will transform your appearance, which |
| the waves. Abdominal crunches, presses, and | | | | will have plenty of benefits too, especially when |
| planks are good examples of core surf exercise. | | | | you're on the beach lounging in your bathing suit. |
| 3. Upper body: yet another area that will help with | | | | And perhaps most importantly for those of us |
| paddling! But again, because you spend so much | | | | who truly love to surf, your surfing exercise plan |
| time paddling, there are huge benefits to doing it | | | | will help you reach your full potential as a surfer, |
| well. By paddling faster, you'll be able to catch | | | | allowing you to enjoy yourself more every time |
| more waves. A stronger upper body also will | | | | you step in the water. |
| allow you to pop up onto your board more | | | | |