SUP Fitness Fun On The Water

SUP Fitness is a new way to get fit with a stand up paddleboard. But what is it? And what does it involve?  SUP Fitness combines traditional fitness exercises while using a SUP board.

You can work any part of your body, just like you would in the gym but you are out on the water in the outdoors, gaining a host of other benefits. The fresh air is invigorating, being on the water is calming, a rush of endorphins, seeing nature, wildlife and marine life to name a few.

It’s important to note the difference between SUP Paddle fitness and SUP personal training fitness.

SUP paddle fitness classes are deliver by qualified SUP Instructors and involves paddling fast and slow and they tend to go in and out of water.

SUP Personal Training Fitness   Whereas personal training fitness involves performing fitness exercises on a SUP board while on the water instead of in the gym. These classes are delivered by fitness professionals holding SUP Fitness qualifications and are conducted no more than 50 metres from shore.

ASI UK Marketing’s Lisa Woodruff went along to a SUP Fitness class in Carbis Bay, Cornwall UK, to see what’s involved. Glenn who delivered the course holds both a SUP Paddling Fitness and SUP Personal training fitness qualifications so he combines the two disciplines during this particular class.

Lisa says: “It was a fairly cool evening when I turned up for the class. There were 5 or so ladies of all different builds who had joined the class. Some had done SUP before and some were beginners. Our coach Glenn put us all instantly at ease. We were all given boards and paddles to match our abilities and then we began the warm up.

“Some short running drills along the beach got the blood flowing and we were soon stripping off our jumpers. We then took the boards out on the water for some paddling. Glenn showed us the techniques to use for short and long strokes, short strokes for sprinting, long for recovery. We then paddled fast and slow out to some marker buoys in the bay.

“After a few minutes, we began doing some exercises on the SUP. Modified push ups, burpees and leg raises. All working lots of different muscle groups at the same time as balancing on the board. A few more rounds of these ensued before doing some more sprint and slow paddling between the buoys and then back to the beach for some more running and push ups and pull ups.

“It was a beautiful calm evening and as we hit the beach the sun was setting, the hour flew by and I although It was tough, it was the most fun and pleasant place to work out. After the session, our group of ladies went for a drink in the bar to watch the sunset, happy and glowing. It was a fantastic experience and I can’t wait for the next session, I loved it”.

SUP Fitness makes working out a much more pleasant experience than being in a sweaty gym. You also get a much more intensive, and all over workout as you maintain balance on the water – and above all it’s so much fun!

Be wary of people offering SUP fitness who are not properly qualified.  SUP Fitness classes must only be delivered by qualified personal trainers with SUP paddling experience.   This ensures your personal safety as they understand the SUP water environment where there are potential hazards. Plus, you will only perform fitness exercises that are suitable to a SUP board, so you don’t injure yourself.

ASI created the world’s first SUP Fitness Instructor programme that works with qualified personal trainers to deliver modified fitness exercises on a SUP Board.  There are two distinct levels that are delivered as a combined course.

Level 1 covers SUP fitness locations, hazards and risk management. Client safety management techniques. A range of different fitness exercises, cardio, core, strength, toning and balances modified for beginners SUP fitness. The course enables you to develop SUP fitness programs to suit your client base, identify suitable SUP fitness equipment and anchoring systems.

The Level 2 is more advanced and works with resistance bands and circuits with a range of resistance band exercises all slightly modified for the SUP board and a number of ASI SUP fitness session plans.

Work those abs, tum and bum, lower and upper body, cardo, core and back.  Get the heart pumping and that healthy glow that comes from being in the outdoors.
Are you a qualified personal trainer and interested in becoming an ASI SUP Fitness Instructor? 

For your nearest SUP Fitness Instructor Course see the ASI website for details
https://www.academyofsurfing.com/find-courses
 
Photo credit: Ocean Sports Centre UK
 
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About ASI
ASI is a professional membership organisation and international governing body for instructors, coaches and schools in the outdoor recreation industry for surfing, stand up paddle and bodyboarding.
We set the standards for education, accreditation, professional development and ongoing support for our members, offering pathways from entry level to elite level.
International Instructor and Coach Accreditation. You can travel the world with ASI.
ASI Accredited Schools abide by the high international standards for operations, training and safety.
www.academyofsurfing.com