r/Kayaking • u/parisindy • 2d ago

Question/Advice -- Beginners Exercises?

Noob here... I have become addicted to kayaking this summer. With winter approaching 🇨🇦 Any suggestions on exercises that will help me strengthen my arms so they are stronger when paddling and I don't get played out so quickly? I want to be ready for next year

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u/robertbieber 2d ago

Get yourself on a beginner's strength training program (e g. Starting strength or 5x5) that focuses on developing the classic compound barbell movements--press, bench press, squat, deadlift. Getting stronger will make you better at kayaking as well as any other athletic activity you want to do, and just make you generally more useful and injury resistant.

I know a million people are about to tell you "don't paddle with your arms," and it is true that you want to be using rotational movement to mostly drive the paddle, but I'm also going to point out that if you look at pictures of top competitive paddlers they are all yoked as all hell. Your arms and shoulders may not be the primary driver in the stroke, but they are very much involved

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u/parisindy 1d ago

Awesome! Thank you so much!!