SUP Fitness Through the Winter

SUP Fitness Through the Winter

If you are a fan of SUP (standup paddle boarding) and want to take your paddle boading to the next level, wintertime is a great time to practice SUP fitness. Getting in better shape during the winter will make next summer’s SUP experience much more fun, intensive, and invigorating. Plus, the next time you visit Myrtle Beach, you can take a more extended SUP adventure. Read on to learn more about how you can get more fit with some SUP fitness through the winter.

7 SUP Fitness Exercises for Winter

With sunset paddles becoming a distant memory and the earlier darkness making it hard to get out on the water, winter is a great time to build your core strength. So, check out this list of SUP fitness exercises that you can do at home. Then, next time you are in Myrtle Beach, you’ll be ready for an SUP rental adventure.

1. Squats work out your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves

A standing squat helps develop basic lower body strength, which you will need to endure a long time out on the water. If you have an SUP paddle at home, hold the paddle square over your head to activate the back muscles as well. You can increase the difficulty of the exercise by holding the paddle in a lowered position for one to two seconds per repetition. If you don’t have an SUP paddle at home, try this exercise with a broom or mop instead.

2. Jumping lunges are great for building strength in your hamstrings, glutes and calves

Though jumping lunges are great for building strength in your hamstrings, glutes, and calves and can help you burn a ton of calories, it is important that you perfect your static lunge first. Once you have that mastered, incorporate a jump as you switch legs. Jumping lunges are great for developing power, balance and coordination – just make sure you have enough room to jump around!

3. Push-ups are perfect for strengthening chest, front of shoulders, abdominals as well as your lower back

All of your upper body muscles will be engaged when you are out paddling on an SUP paddling or practicing paddle board basics. Try staggering your hands one higher up than the other and place your hands narrow or wide. Variations will help target more muscles and will help lean out your arms.

4. Plank walkouts are great for your core

Planks are well known for working the core, but plank walkouts activate shoulder and back muscles too. And you need those muscles when out on your SUP. Not only that, but walkouts will really get the blood flowing while stretching out your hamstrings, calves, glutes, and lower back. And you’ll be sure to feel these exercises the next day.

5. Kick-throughs work out the shoulders, abdominals, upper and lower back, and quadriceps

This total body exercise is like the new modern version of those burpees that any exercise enthusiast loves to hate. So if you don’t know how to do a kick-through, know that you are not alone. Just know that kick-throughs develop core rotational strength and extension of the shoulder, both of which will be very useful to you when you get back on the SUP in Myrtle Beach.

6. Side lunges work the hamstrings, quads, glutes and calves

We all know that lunges are a great workout for the legs. But they work out the abdominals, back muscles, gluteal muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves too. Side lunges are a great addition to your workout, though, especially if you are an SUP enthusiast. Side lunges, in particular, work your leg muscles in a way that is quite similar to paddle boarding.

7. Supermans are great for the lower back

Though it might not feel like you are doing much, supermans target your lower back muscles, glutes, hamstrings, and abdominal muscles. This makes them perfect for any SUPer looking to do some toning and muscle-building throughout the winter season.

Book a Myrtle Beach SUP Adventure with Crazy Sister Marina

Once winter is over, it’ll be time to put those new lean muscles to the test. Be sure to reach out to Crazy Sister Marina to arrange an SUP rental when you are in Myrtle Beach. We promise that your paddle boarding adventure will be one of your favorite Myrtle Beach things to do. Until then, happy exercising! We can’t wait to see you.