Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2024

74 • Massage Therapy Journal

Soothe Relax, Rejuvenate and Stay Centered

Spring Into Fitness: Try Your Hand (and Arms, Legs and Core) at Kayaking Living by the water offers myriad benefits, from the calming effects of sitting on the shoreline to the opportunity to get cool quick on those (upcoming) Summer days. But if you live by the water, you might also consider finding a new hobby that can give you fitness results without overstressing your physical body: kayaking. Some of the physical benefits of kayaking include:

Leg strength. You might not think you’re gaining any lower body strength when participating in activities that don’t require much leg use. But kayaking requires leg strength, too, especially for balance and when changing directions.

Increased upper- body strength.

Massage therapist rely on their arms to perform massage, and kayaking can be a great way to increase strength and muscle tone, not only in the arms, but also the surrounding muscles in the shoulders, chest and back.

Core strength. Similar to leg strength, kayaking works your core because core strength is necessary for centering yourself and balancing on the water. Even when not paddling, your core will get a mini-workout keeping you upright.

Added endurance. Endurance is integral to a massage therapist’s career

longevity, and kayaking can be a great hobby to help you increase your endurance. Paddling longer and longer routes as you become more adept at the sport may build endurance and increase energy.

Ljupco Smokovski / Shutterstock.com

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