Getting fit for surfing requires Cross Training for Surfing Fitness. Surfing is physically demanding and beginners find whatever physical activities they enjoy are probably not enough for the specific demands of surfing.
Surfing is one of the most physically demanding full body sports. It requires strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness, and proper body weight. Surfers talk about power to weight ratio means the strength to get the body off the board into a pop up. The Body Mass Calculator (BMI) calculator will tell you if you are normal or overweight.
The main exercise for surfing is paddling. Paddling slowly uses all the body’s energy. A surfer first notices he is tired when his pop up goes awry .That is a good time to take an inventory of his body to see if he is tired. When my inventory says I am tired, I get out. You always want to have a surplus of energy to save you in an emergency if you are out surfing real waves. In close, surfing foam, it is not as important.
Paddling is a combination of different types of endurance. Aerobic endurance provides the energy to engage and recover quickly after each wave. Upper torso strength and specifically arms, shoulders, back and chest provide paddling power. Like any sport, the surfer wants to build these muscle groups to increase receptors and absorb more glucose (from carbohydrates). Glucose provides the fuel for the muscles. After the glucose is burned, the body will seek fat for fuel.
Exercises for Surfing Fitness
Some exercises for building paddling power are push ups, cable pulls, bench presses, and military presses. These build the major muscle groups for paddling. Of course, nothing builds paddling power like paddling, but not everyone can get in the water several times a week.
Building core and leg strength as well as greater flexibility are all important. A few exercises that provide benefits are burpies, squats and deadlifts. First thing in the morning, I do push ups and squats and dead lifts without weights. This supports flexibility in the hamstrings, buttocks, and lower back. All three support the pop up.
Flexibility, core strength, and upper body strength are also necessary for the beginner and advanced pop up. In the beginner pop up, the surfer places his back foot on the board first under his butt and puts it flat on the board so he can stand on it. In the advanced pop up, the surfer pops both feet onto the board at the same time. It is advanced because it is more difficult but pros do both types of pop ups.
A daily routine that includes practicing the pop up in your living room will create the surf specific muscles and flexibility to make you a better surfer.
For Coaching to Fitness see the Program at The 3 Week Plan.com
Explore the Surf Lesson and Fitness Coaching Package
The Surfing Trilogy combines three books into one E-Book. Learn in one easy to read concise volume how to lose weight, get fit, and learn to surf.
It combines the books: The 3 Week Plan, Get Fit to Surf, and Learn to Surf Guide
Buy the E-Book on Amazon for $6.99
Want to get in great shape for surfing and an improved lifestyle? Start with the Free E-Book The 3 Week Plan. It is the perfect start for getting in great shape and losing weight.
Consider Coaching and the Surf Package the combines Surf Lessons and Fitness Coaching
Learn More
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
Receive Weekly Active Lifestyle Tips on Nutrition Merchandise, Losing Weight, Getting Fit, Recipes, Meal Plans, Exercise Videos