Self Improvement

5 Impressive Health Benefits of Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Stand up paddleboarding beach people on stand up paddle board, SUP surfboard surfing in ocean sea on Big Island, Hawaii Beautiful young mixed race Asian woman and Caucasian man doing water sport.

The days are getting longer and hotter, and you know what that means. It’s time to get in the water and start having some spring and summer fun. 

If you’re new to water sports and activities, you might not know where to start. When you’re not near the ocean, surfing isn’t a great option, and water skiing isn’t convenient if you don’t have a boat.

Why not try stand-up paddleboarding (or SUP)? 

We’re here to talk about some of the top mental and physical health benefits of one of our favorite ways to exercise. Read on to learn more. 

1. Building Core Strength

It should come as no surprise that one of the top SUP benefits is that it will allow you to build core strength (and thus improve your balance). 

If you’ve ever tried stand-up paddleboarding, you might remember how difficult it is to stand up, at least the first few times. Whether you’re on solid or inflatable paddleboards, the water makes them rock back and forth when you try to get your footing.

By learning how to hold yourself steady (and then move), you’re improving your core strength. You don’t have to do a single crunch!

2. Getting Valuable Vitamin D

Do you get enough vitamin D? If you spend all day indoors, the answer is likely “no.” Many people are vitamin D deficient!

Paddleboarding requires you to get out into the sun. The sun supplies your body with vitamin D which may help with depression, your immune system, and more.

Make sure to wear sunscreen!

3. Getting A Full-Body Workout Without the Gym

Even if you’re a frequent gym-goer, it’s common to fall into ruts with your workouts. Going to the gym just doesn’t sound fun if you’re burnt out on exercise.

If you do stand-up paddleboarding, you’ll get a full-body workout without ever picking up a single dumbbell. It’s great for your cardiovascular health, you’ll build muscle in your chest, back, and shoulders, and you’ll even improve your stabilizing lower body muscles. 

It’s one of the best ways to exercise, and you won’t even feel like you’re getting a workout (until you have sore muscles the next day!). 

4. Relieving Stress and Depression

Have you been feeling tense or down lately? Stand-up paddleboarding might be the answer. It’s no replacement for therapy, but it can boost your mood.

Aside from the mood-boosting benefits of vitamin D, stand-up paddleboarding will also boost your endorphins. Endorphins are “happy chemicals” that your body releases when you work out, and it’s part of the importance of exercise. 

5. Losing Weight (the Fun Way)

If you’ve been trying to drop a few pounds, but you’re struggling with a plateau, try getting some SUP equipment and get out on the water.

Because it’s a fun full-body workout, you’ll burn a lot of calories in only an hour (and you’re sure to be paddleboarding for several hours).

Again, it won’t even feel like exercise!

Try Stand-Up Paddleboarding This Summer

Stand-up paddleboarding is a fantastic full-body workout with plenty of mental and physical health benefits. If you want to tone up and feel better, get into the water with a new stand-up paddleboard!

For more helpful articles about sports, activities, and more, visit the rest of our site.