Beginner Surfers Improve Fitness to Progress as they find in their first lesson that their body is not 100% up to the task. There are several areas of physical improvement that are necessary to improve surfing.
The most common problem surfers find is they are not flexible enough to execute a smooth pop up. In the beginner pop up sequence I teach new surfers, they have to put a foot flat on the board under their body to stand up. Most surfers can’t do this. This forces them to put a second foot on the board while their hands are still on the board and then they fly off the front of the board.
Working on Flexibility
Flexibility includes the hamstrings, buttocks, and lower back. They all tighten from sitting. Even active athletes can have tight surfing muscles because they are not full body stretching. The best two exercises are squats and dead lifts. They can be done without weights. They should be engaged each day for 25 reps each. Most people notice a big difference in a few weeks.
Most surfers who have not been active physically find they struggle with upper body strength. If they are overweight, this problem is more acute. In the pop up, the surfer first pushes his upper body off the board to put a foot under the body. Too much weight makes it more difficult because chances are while gaining weight the surfer was not exercising or strength building. Pushups are the best solution as well as losing weight if it is necessary. Additional gym work like bench presses and cables help with upper body strength and paddling.
Working on Stamina and Muscle Building
The most tiring aspect of surfing is not riding the board but the paddling. Beginners walk out to waves and roll over on the board to catch a wave and even this makes them tired in an hour. When the surfer progresses to paddling out to catch waves and then paddling to catch the wave, tiredness comes faster. Aerobic conditioning becomes important as well as muscle building so the muscles hold more glucose. Glucose is the fuel for muscles converted from carbohydrates by the liver.
Surfing often solves the strength and stamina building. Cross training is necessary for most because they can’t get to the water several times a week. Leaning out vastly improves the ability to pop up and oxygen uptake for stamina. Pushups, squats, and dead lifts on a regular basis build the surfing flexibility and strength necessary. A month of steady work should show great improvement.
For more articles and books, see the Home Page.
Join me on Instagram
For Coaching to Fitness see the Program at The 3 Week Plan.com
For Coaching to Fitness see the Program at The 3 Week Plan.com
The Perfect Start to Lose Weight and Get Fit
You Have to Get Started to Reach Your Goals. Quick Start to Change your Lifestyle
See Surf Packages and PerfectBody.me meal plans.
Begin Your Surfing Career with the Trilogy
See it on the Home Page
Get my new book Get Fit to Surf
Its time to get back in shape. This book discusses strength, flexibility, stamina, and nutritional needs for getting in shape and losing weight. It is the great guide to get back to fitness for all your recreational desires. If you can surf, you can do most anything.
Buy on Kindle for $2.99 or Paperback on Amazon for $6.95
Get the Learn to Surf Guide Course in Kindle, Paperback or Audio
A great 29 page course on the fundamentals of catching waves, doing beginner and advanced pop ups, riding real waves, how to do maneuvers on real waves, which surfboards to ride, and how to progress. Great for lesson preparation, after lesson review, or learning on your own.
Kindle price $2.99 on Amazon. Paperback price $6.95 on Amazon. Audio download price $7.95
Everybody Can Surf
To read a great book for getting in shape to surf or getting in better surfing shape, read my new book Everybody Can Surf, a Health, Fitness, Nutrition, and Surfing Adventure
Description:
Get healthy and fit to surf or set a goal of surfing to improve weight, fitness, nutrition, and health. This guide by a surf instructor/health coach/personal trainer gives the short version of how to lose weight, get strong, build stamina, develop nutrition, and learn to surf. Surfing is a lifestyle enjoyed by millions and so is fitness. Fitness creates opportunities to enjoy life through lots of different kinds of recreation. No need to stand on the sidelines while others are having a great time. Start your program to health with easy steps and progress at your own pace. That is the secret to maintaining a lifestyle. Do it at your pace. This book will start you on the path.
Buy the E book on Amazon for $2.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon for $6.95
Seniors Get Fit to Surf
Description:
Seniors often ask if it is too late to learn to surf. Age is functional not chronological. If people have been exercising and maintaining body strength, surfing can be accomplished. If people have not been exercising, then getting in shape to surf could be a life changing move. Learn how to develop strength, flexibility, and stamina to learn surfing. If you are in surf shape, you could pursue most any recreation.
Buy the E-book on Amazon for $2.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon for $6.95
