Surfing is a full body sport. Full body exercises are important for building muscles and flexibility. Strength can be improved without building muscle size. Muscle size doesn’t change without great intensity of pushing muscles to their maximum.
In the meantime, as one builds to the capability of reaching their maximum, strength can be achieved to reach most recreational goals. Strength building and muscle size building can be two different goals. There are three types of muscle fibers and the first two can help build the necessary strength for most any sport while improving leanness.
There are criteria for building each of the muscle fibers with a certain amount of duration, weight, and intensity. The beginner wants to exercise for longer periods of time with less stress on the muscles. He can then exercise five days a week as he builds strength. The beauty of each process is muscle will burn fat for fuel.
As the beginner progresses to intermediate, he can start adding intensity. More intensity will require more rest in between. Muscle builds during the rest cycles. Proper feeding of the muscles before and after is important as well as the over all nutrition consumed. More important might be the items in your diet you stop consuming.
The advanced exerciser in weight training is trying to build muscle size and maximum lift capacity. In other exercises such as running, biking, swimming, or treadmills, the exerciser is building cardiovascular fitness and stamina in the muscles. Stamina in the muscles is created with duration and intensity as they learn to absorb and store more glucose.
The beginner surfer should have the strength to lift his upper body off the surfboard in a push up and then stand on the rear leg as it is positioned to support his body under his butt as he moves his front foot to the nose of the surfboard. People who have not exercise and or who have become overweight, have a difficulty with this process.
Learn More in one of my books on how to build the fundamentals of surfing fitness. You can start with People Who are Overweight Can Surf because it is a full program of fitness, stamina, flexibility, and nutrition.
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