Hello, surfers! In today’s post, we will tell you which exercises can be useful to improve your surfing. This is very important because surfing is a rather demanding and complete sport. Just think of the degree of complexity of the maneuvers and the different positions assumed by the body during the execution of the same. Therefore, we want you to know how to get fit for surfing.
The most important thing for this sport is to vary between the different types of training looking for the right mix of all the main elements that come into play when we surf (strength, power, endurance, mobility, flexibility and elasticity)! Let’s see them all together!
Exercises to get you fit to surf
While we are in the ocean, no matter how tired we are, we cannot rest as we would like. Therefore, being fit will help you surf well and have fun. If you are not in shape, it will be harder, and consequently you will have less fun. In general, whatever your physical condition, we invite you to practice this truly exciting sport! Plus, you don’t need to be totally fit and big-muscled to be able to surf. But it is true that these exercises will help you. So if you can, practice them!
The exercises we are going to explain are only a small part of many exercises that can help you to activate the muscles you will use to surf. It is very important to note that these exercises and the proposed training must always be adapted to your abilities. Also, as we said before, workouts should often vary with the aim of training all the main elements of a training program. Before performing the exercises that we are going to propose below, we suggest you to start with a warm-up (for example a light run of 10/15 minutes or jump rope). And do the same at the end of the exercises: run 5 minutes to cool down and then do a complete static stretch.
Ah! And the idea we propose is a workout based on 4 of the 9 exercises. Choose the first 4 and do two circuits working for 20 seconds, and you will stop to rest for 10 seconds between each exercise. After performing the 4 exercises you have chosen and having performed the two circuits, rest for 2 minutes and start with 4 other different exercises. Do the same until you perform 4 sets of exercises. Let’s start! Read on, and you’ll find out how to get fit for surfing.
Plank
Start in the prone (face down) position with your hands and feet (toes) on the floor. Raise yourself by extending your arms, as in push-ups position. While in this position, contract your abdomen and buttocks. Keep your back completely aligned without arching it thanks to the activation of the core.
Knees to chest
The position we have recommended for the plank is the same starting position of this exercise. But this time, you don’t have to stay in that position. With an explosive jump, bring your knees to your chest while keeping your hands on the ground and return to the starting position. Believe it or not, this will help you get fit for surfing.
Dynamic Lunge
While standing (feet shoulder-width apart), you need to step forward with your right leg, always keeping the angles of both knees at 90 degrees. Put your hands close to your hips. Keep your torso upright and lower your lower body until your left knee is close to the ground. Then, jump in a controlled way by alternating your legs back and forth.
Squat jump
Start in the classic squat position. Feet at 45 degrees, slightly wider than shoulders and knees in line with the toes. Lower yourself as if you were doing a normal squat and jump high explosively. You already know another exercise to know how to get fit for surfing.
Isometric bridge with 2 levels
Lie faced down, extend your arms as in push-ups while keeping your hands and feet (toes) on the floor. The back must be completely aligned with the floor. Alternate the support of the hands with the elbows (first the right and then the left) keeping the trunk and back perfectly aligned. Use abdomen and buttocks, which must always remain contracted to stabilize and not burden the back.
Hip flexion
Stand on your side and rest your left hand on the floor, keeping your left arm fully stretched. Bend the right leg (flexing the knee, of course) and bring the right elbow closer to the right knee. Then return to the starting position and repeat several times. Do the same with your left leg.
Superman plank
Get into the plank position with your feet and hands flat on the floor, keeping your torso and back aligned. Then, raise your right hand and left foot (completely straight and stretched). Go alternating right hand and left foot, left hand and right foot, etc. With this you already have several exercises to know how to get fit for surfing. They will help you a lot and are not complicated!
Jumping Jack
Standing position with feet together and arms lowered. Then, jump by opening your hands and feet (making them X-shaped) and jump again by closing them or returning to the starting position.
High Skip
Do as if you are running but without moving from the seat, raising your knees as much as possible at a normal but steady pace. Move your arms as well as in running.
These are some of the exercises that will help you improve your level. Now you can tell your friends how to get fit for surfing!
How to get fit for surfing: activities
Swimming pool
Surfing is practiced in the water, and what’s better than a workout done in the same element. So what’s better than in a swimming pool? Swimming will help you work some muscles that you will use in surfing. A good way to train them will be to swim freestyle, as the movements are very similar, and you will simulate paddling better.
Carver skate
The carver skate is a great tool to get fit for surfing, especially when you don’t get the chance to go surfing on a regular basis. The reason is very simple, they simulate the same movements of surfing but on the land. Therefore, using the Carver skate will help you strengthen the muscles we use when we surf.
These are two activities that will come in handy. So you just have to practice them as much as possible!
Now you know how to get fit for surfing. For this reason, we invite you to come and visit us and book a surf course in Fuerteventura on surfintrip.com. We will teach you the techniques so that you can finish the course like a great surfer. Or, at least, that you can improve with respect to the entry level. We are waiting for you!
