The answer to this question will depend on just what kind of workout you want to engage in. A kayak is propelled by sitting in the boat and propelling it with a paddle. To do this, you will need to use your hands, arms, and upper body. As you are sitting down in the kayak, your lower body will generally not be affected.
On the other hand, a paddle board may be a more intense type of workout. This is because you are in the water, swimming out to meet the waves, with your paddle board in hand. You are using both your upper and lower body during the course of this activity. As a result, this may be considered a more intense exercise workout.
However, the real answer to this question may just come down to how intense you want or need your workout to be. Some people may simply find that their level of stamina is best reflected in a kayak workout. Others may prefer to work out as much of their body as possible during a full paddleboard exercise.
Reasons Paddle Boarding is a Great Workout
Here are some of the top reasons why paddle boarding is such a great workout.
It Exercises Your Entire Body
Number one, paddle boarding will exercise your entire body. This is important if you want to make sure that every part of your body, lower and upper alike, is involved in your exercise regime.
It Improves Your Balance
There is nothing like standing on top of a paddleboard as you meet the onrushing waves. If you are looking for a great way to improve your sense of balance, you will definitely find it by using a paddleboard.
It’s a Low Impact Exercise
Even if you wipe out on your paddleboard, it’s nothing like getting run over by a defensive football player. Paddle boarding is one of the most low impact exercises you can engage in. The capacity for any kind of serious injury is very small.
It’s a Great Cardio Workout
Spending a few hours on the water will be the occasion for a great cardio workout. The potential for this will increase if you decide to race your friends. Anyway you slice it, it’s a strenuous but low impact workout that can help to keep your heart healthy.
It Can Help You Rehab Your Muscles
If you have suffered injuries in other sports, paddle boarding is a great way to help you rehab your muscles. This is due to the fact that paddle boarding is a low impact sport that will help you exercise while avoiding the potential for aggravating your injuries.
Why A Kayaking Workout Rocks
There are a number of reasons why a kayaking workout is one of the best you can get. These will include, but not be limited to, the following:
It Keeps Your Heart Healthy
One of the best reasons to own a kayak is because it gives you the right amount of exercise you need to keep your heart healthy. The amount of good that a cardio workout can do for you cannot be underestimated.
It Gets You Outside
Another benefit that comes with kayaking is that it gets you out of doors and into the fresh air. This is a major plus, especially for someone who may be in the process of recovering from a sports injury.
It Gets You Exercising
Even if you have no intention of using a kayaking excursion as a workout, you’re actually getting one whether you realize it or not. In the process, you are strengthening your heart as well as your upper and lower body.
Which One Is Harder – Kayaking Or Paddle Boarding?
Both kayaking and paddle boarding may present their fair share of challenges to the beginner. However, in general, most people believe that kayaking is probably the easier of the two activities. This is because you sit down in a kayak while your upper body, especially with regard to your arms, does most of the work.
When you are on a paddleboard, your whole body is involved. You had to use your upper and lower body while swimming out to the deeper water. Once you are there, you now have to balance on the board as you ride the waves. This is a workout that tends to involve every part of your body. It also entails a higher expense of energy.
Reasons To Ditch Your Kayak for a Paddle Board
We aren’t suggesting that you actually ditch your kayak for a paddle board. However, if you can only have one, it’s probably better to keep the paddle board. Here are some of the most significant reasons why this is the case:
Paddle Boarding Will Cost You Less
One reason to consider keeping your paddle board and ditching your kayak has to do with the health of your bank account. Simply put, keeping a paddle board tends to cost you far less in the long run than a kayak. This is because you can find a decent paddle board for a lot less money than it costs to buy even a budget model kayak.
Paddle Boarding Exercises Your Whole Body
One of the biggest advantages that paddle boarding has over kayaking is the fact that your entire body, not just your upper level, is involved. It’s a much more complete workout that also lasts a good deal longer.
Paddle Boarding is Better for Rehabbing Your Muscles
Do you have injuries that you are currently in the process of rehabbing from? If so, you should look into getting a paddle board. It’s a great way to get back outside again. It’s also a low impact sport that exercises your muscles without exposing you to fresh injury.