How Many Calories Does Kayaking Burn

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Are you overweight and out of shape but not interested in joining the gym and not motivated to do those conventional workout routines? Are you interested in finding some fun and exhilarating adventure sport to burn those extra calories?

But before going kayaking, why not take a look at the benefits of kayaking? Let’s take a look at How Many Calories Does Kayaking Burn?

Kayaking Is Best For Upper Body

Kayaking in the open waters, seas, oceans and waterfalls etc., is an excellent exercise for the upper body parts like the upper arm, forearm and hand, which is very difficult to achieve in the more traditional cardiovascular workouts.

When a person steers a boat during a paddling voyage, this involves his abdominal muscles and lower back and applies force on the biceps, triceps, upper back, and shoulders. The force is transferred from the paddle to the other parts of a kayak boat. Apart from building up body muscles, it also increases strength and flexibility. Kayaking is also a quick and effective way to burn calories and lose weight.

Kayaking Burns Calories

The number of calories burned when paddling depends on how quickly or slowly you paddle the kayak boat. If you do it slowly, like If you take an attractive route and constantly make stops to enjoy the surroundings after every few minutes or paddling with time off, also occasionally drinking a beer, the amount of calories you will burn will be minimal.

If you do fast, like if you paddle your boat for miles on the sea at a sustained speed, then you are likely to burn many calories. Like any other traditional weight loss workout, kayaking helps burn a remarkable number of calories when you put in real effort. Also, kayakers burn more calories than those who jog and walk. But, the condition is active kayaking rather than lazy Sunday slow kayaking.

Factors Involved in Burning Calories Through Kayaking

In a general sense, four hours of nonstop paddling can burn up to 1,600 calories. But despite that, it also depends on several factors, which include the weight of the paddler, the duration of time spent on the water, and also the type of kayak boat being used. The standard number of calories burned per hour by a 125-pound paddler is 283.

In contrast, a 150-pound paddler burns 340 calories per hour. It is also reported that a 125-pound person can burn up to 150 calories within half an hour. At the same time, a heavy-class weight person of 200 pounds burns 450 calories within one hour. Similarly, a heavy-class person of 175 pounds burns 397 calories within one hour.

Basic Proposition Of Calories Burn

The basic proposition in burning body calories through kayaking is that you burn more calories if you pull more weight across the water. But other factors also include wind, current, tides, and paddling ability, which will affect the number of calories burned. In case you are unsure how ocean current works, check out our detailed explanation on ocean currents.
[ Also Read: Our detailed guide on Tides to plan your kayaking trips for easier paddling ]

So essentially, anything that makes paddling difficult or more strenuous is good for you because it aids in burning more calories.

Kayaking Requires Basic Swimming Skills

Kayaking is quite similar to other physical activities such as hiking. But, not everyone has the same experience level. You may also need to be somewhat fit, specifically if you are kayaking on waterfalls and fast rapid waters. Read our article on Classification of Rapids before your start your kayaking trip.

It is considered to be a simple exercise that requires fitness to some extent. Fortunately, there is a minimal learning chance for you to achieve experience and become an expert at paddling even in high tides. Most importantly, comfortably, all kayakers are required to get some basic swimming skills and observe safety tips for kayaking.

Paddling Makes Your Arms Toned

If you are interested in losing weight, then go kayaking regularly. After some time, you will also have a bigger and better-looking arm. Kayaking indeed improves the arm muscles.

It works on the biceps and triceps. Given the fact that if you look at those who take part in kayaking competitions, whether they are local or taking part in Olympics, you notice that they have very bulky and firm-looking arms. Both the biceps and the triceps are worked out as one arm rows in and another counter with a forward thrush.

Kayaking Helps In Achieving 6 Packs Abs

If you plan to lose your weight and go to them and ask any fitness trainer on what muscle group is the most difficult to work out, you will most probably get the abs for an answer. It is strenuous to get firm and nice-looking abs, especially when your stomach area is usually big with hard-to-get-rid fats.

But with kayaking, getting a six-pack is absolute in just a short amount of time. Also, yes, it is very much possible. The gyratory movements you do in kayaking and daily can be very demanding to your essential muscles, and thus, these would give the muscles a good workout.
We have an amazing write up on Kayak Paddling Techniques so that you can paddle efficiently without injuring yourself in the process.

Kayaking Makes Your Lower Back Stronger

If you want to become stronger, you must work out your muscles and make them stronger. The muscle group that makes the most from kayaking is the lower back muscle or latissimus dorsi.

With every knock, your lats are heavily worked out. As one of your arms is used to row back, the other would be stretched and eventually be contracted as you with both arms alternately.

To make your lats workout more effective, always consider varying your rowing speed. You can row fast at a short period as well as do it in a slow but so slow far hard way. After daily kayaking trips, you will surely have a strong lower back and upper.

Kayaking Keeps The Heart Strong

Kayaking also helps in keeping the human heart healthy. To keep your heart going is vital to keep it strong. If the heart is not busy, it will get weak over time. Of course, a weak heart can be the cause of a variety of diseases, especially Ischemia.

Kayaking gives you a good cardio workout as you paddle in the waters. Cardio workouts, with a repetitive nature, become quite boring.

Thankfully, this isn’t the case with kayaking, as it provides an exhilarating cardio workout that will keep you energized and motivated. Kayaking challenges your heart and lungs in an enjoyable and thrilling manner, making it a physical activity you may want to partake in daily.

Lesser Or No Injuries While Doing Kayaking

One of the most notable benefits of kayaking is that it’s unlike any other exercise regimen. It’s a low-impact workout that places less strain and stress on your joints and muscles, making it an excellent option for individuals recovering from injuries or those seeking a fun day out on the lake. Additionally, kayaking is an ideal activity for daily exercise enthusiasts who want to avoid excessive wear and tear on their bodies.

Well, kayaking is an excellent yet adventurous workout routine. Anyone who is willing to lose some calories can go kayaking and get their desired results. These are the advantages of kayaking for every age, level, and ability and how it impacts our health. One must not lose the chance when something is so valuable and exciting, so try it out.

Jules and Ken

We are outdoor lovers, travellers, and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, RV equipment, kayaking, to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors. We are happy to share our knowledge with you to make a better choice when you are outdoors.

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