Cross training for surfing fitness is a faster process for progress. Most people who start surfing find they have some physical conditions that need improvement to perfect the surfing pop up or to surf longer.
Surfing is a full body sport. It requires strength and flexibility, but also stamina. Consider working out for a triathlon. There is there is the running, biking, and swimming. Most triathletes have a strong weight program because the muscle strength is needed when the carbohydrates are gone.
Getting Surfing Fit
Surfing requires paddling for catching waves and as one progresses paddling to paddle back out to line up. The surf body has to be strong and smooth moving to get from lying down on the surfboard to standing up. The process in the water is more difficult than on land, but practicing on land is useful.
Landing on the surfboard in the right stance is the completion of the pop up move. Joints and muscles must all work together to get body up smoothly and balanced. Whereas I had always known gymnastics to be great training, I recently found a jiu jitsu student was very smooth and agile.
I must add that body weight is important. Lean bodies are easiest for the muscular and joint systems to function smoothly. Body Mass Index weight of “23” are a most perfect weight. See Body Mass Calculator for your Index number. Mine is 23.6 and is adequate because I have upper body strength and flexibility, but I would still like to be lighter.
Overweight begins at 25 and obese begins at 30. Most of the obese students are never able to stand up on the surf board. For example, I had a young woman who was 5’3′ and 170 pounds. She is 30.1 on the BMI. She was never able to stand up. An obese person can’t usually get their back foot under their butt and then cannot lift their weight on it to stand up.
Losing weight and building strength are the perfect combination for getting surf fit.
Some Exercises to Include in Fitness Program
Flexibility is the primary issued most new surfers face. I have to stay flexible or I can’t pop up even after a lifetime of surfing. I do burpies every morning to help in the pop up motion. Then I do squats and deadlifts to maintain lower body strength, core strength, and flexibility in my hamstrings, buttocks, and lower back. I use weights, but you can do well without weights.
The final piece is push ups. Bench presses would be the same. Cable pulls are the same idea. I like cable pulls facing toward and then away from holder to build paddling strength as well as the ability to get my upper body off the surfboard. In the advanced pop up, the surfer pushes his body up off the board as he brings his feet under his chest. This is the pop. Pushups are great for this motion.
Stamina is best built by paddling, but one needs to paddle three times a week to stay at peak. Most people can’t get to the water that often, so any aerobics helps build cardiovascular strength and recovery. Paddling is like an interval. Swimmers should sprint 10′ feet in their routines to assimilate this action.
One can work on everything and it doesn’t have to be at the same time. There can be days for each routine and then a daily focus on energy balancing which means weight control. I like to eat on a restricted diet and a limited window of consumption. This is a routine weight lifters often incorporate to lose weight. All calories consumed within a 6 to 12 hour window. The longer the digestive system rests, the better the body can burn the calories. (Check with your doctor before you begin this routine. May not be suggested for diabetics.)
Give yourself time to progress. Surfing and fitness are slow progress endeavors that require patience, but persistence.
Read a good book to get ready.
Visit the Home Page for Surf Lessons
See My Website https://HappinessandWorkLifeBalance.com
Learn More
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
Get Fit to Surf
A great guide to strength, flexibility, stamina, and leanness for surfing. Beginner strategies for getting stronger, more flexible, stronger cardiovascular system, and nutrition to lose weight. An improving surfer or one who wants to prepare must meet the whole body physical demands of surfing. Getting stronger improves ones ability to perform better.
Buy on Kindle for $5.99 or the Paperback for $7.99
Every Body Can Surf
To read a great book for getting in shape to surf or getting in better surfing shape, read my new book Overweight People 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 $5.99
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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 $5.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon for $7.99
