How Canoeing Helps Your Health
By Brandi Goodman
Getting out on the water via canoe can be fun. It can also be incredibly rewarding. Canoeing helps your health in a number of ways. Head out alone or with some friends and canoe your way to better mental and physical well-being.
Increasing Your Muscle Strength
Various muscle groups get targeted when you canoe. Your arms, shoulders, back, and chest will be the primary focus during your rowing. Rowing the canoe along and keeping it going in the right direction will require a lot of effort. You'll be increasing your muscle strength in the process, which is great for burning additional calories and keeping fit.
Enhancing Your Mental Health
Mental health is a major factor for why some people like to get outdoors and try activities such as canoeing. Rowing away from it all and heading out on an open body of water in the sunshine and cool air can be great for your mindset. You get away from your stresses and hardships and can simply enjoy the motion of floating along the water and taking in all the beauty around you. Try the activity when you need to de-stress and reset.
Bettering Your Balance
Your midsection is a focus of the activity as well. As you steer your canoe into the water, you have to hold yourself up well to maintain your balance. The waves of the water will undoubtedly leave you shaky and moving all over. Better your balance with practice and make sure you have a strong core that can help hold you upright. You'll steer more efficiently and keep your posture stable to aid in keeping pain at bay for your back and body.
Helping Your Heart
Your heart health gets impacted by aerobic exercise. Canoeing falls under that category. You're having to maintain your balance and work several muscle groups at once, which means your heart will be pumping harder as you're exerting yourself. Canoeing is an activity that can help your heart and work to strengthen it. A strong heart is important for overall health and well-being.
Don't forget to stretch your body out well before you head out in your canoe. All the rowing you'll be doing will quickly leave your arms and shoulders sore if they aren't stretched and prepared. Get out on the water as often as you can for some canoeing fun and exercise. It will benefit you tremendously.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.