THE DIY SUP FITNESS WORKOUT

Jessica Matthews  //  Fitness  

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get out on the open water for a fun fitness experience that will strengthen your body and challenge your balance—no instructor needed. Soak up some sun and try out this total-body workout, which combines the research-supported benefits of standup paddleboarding (SUP) with a few easy-to-follow bodyweight exercises.​​

PADDLE SQUAT
Stand at the center of the board, parting the feet just a bit wider than hip-width, with toes angled out slightly. Hold the paddle with the hands about hip-width apart, arms extended in front of the thighs. Hinge at the hips and bend the knees, lowering to a squat position, while raising the paddle up to shoulder height and keeping the arms extended. Slowly lower the arms and extend the hips and knees to return to the starting position and repeat.

WATER BAILER
Begin in a split-stance position with the left foot forward and the right foot back. Hold the paddle in front of the body at shoulder height. Keeping the arms extended, bend both knees, lowering into a lunge position. Draw the paddle across the body until the hands are outside the right hip. Slowly extend both knees, rising to standing while drawing the paddle diagonally across the body with the arms extended and the hands above the left shoulder. Repeat the sequence, completing the desired number of repetitions before switching sides and repeating.

---

​BELLY UP
Lie on your stomach with the elbows bent and the hands in line with he chest; position your  naval over the center of the board. Tuck the toes under and press into the palms, lifting the chest off the board. Next, extend the elbows to lift your entire torso up along with the knees and shins. Reverse the movement, releasing the knees and shins to the board before slowly lowering your stomach and then your chest back down to the starting position; repeat the sequence.

WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
Lie on your back with the knees bent and feet flat on the board, positioned hip-width apart. With the arms extended and the hands hip-width apart, draw the paddle to rest across the hips. Keeping the back of your head and shoulders in contact with the board, gently press through the feet to extend the hips and lift the glutes (buttocks). Slowly lower your body back to the starting position and repeat.

---

HIGH/LOW BOAT
​Sit over the center of the board with the knees bent and the feet flat. Hold a paddle in front of the shins with the arms extended. Pick up both feet, keeping the knees bent 90 degrees and the paddle in front of the shins for high boat. Inhale and recline the torso back slightly while maintaining length in the spine as you lower back to low boat, hovering the torso close to the board while simultaneously reaching the paddle overhead. As you exhale, rise back up to high boat and repeat the sequence.

Click on the link below for more workout information:

Workout Routines for Beginners – What You Need to Know before Hitting the Gym 

About the Author:
​Jessica MatthewsHealth and Fitness ExpertJessica Matthews, MS, E-RYT500, is a well-known blogger and kinesiology professor at Point Loma Nazarene University. In addition to holding ACE Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor and Health Coach certifications, she is an experienced registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance. Jessica is regularly cited as a wellness expert by outlets such as CNN, Shape, Self and The Washington Post.