First and foremost, keep in mind that the very best surfing exercise is… surfing itself. However when you are not always available to hit the beach, you really need to exercise to stay in shape and to be capable to give it your all whenever you get in the water. When that trip comes, if you arrive prepared and fit you can maybe catch twice as many waves. If you think about it, that is the same as if your trip was two times longer!! How is that for motivation:)? Event surfers who devote most of their time to surfing still take home workout regimen which is designed to enhance their strength, speed, ability, endurance, flexibility and flow, the necessary aspects in any surfer’s physique. What makes exercising for surfing so tricky is that it is hard to simulate on land what we do in the water. We need to imitate the movement we would perform on the surfboard. So below are some great ways to improve at surfing without genuinely surfing – or at best maintain yourself in surfing condition, which is half the challenge. But it is not only surfers that will benefit from these exercises. There are lots of people out there, that simply want a surfer body, a beach ready body, without actually surfing. Especially women that want that surf body/hour glass shape combo can combine these exercises with a waist trainer. What is that? It is basically a a portable sauna around your waist and that will help you burn fat and sweats away toxins (click here for some ideas for the best waist training corset).
Squats
Squats are a vital surfing exercise easy to do at home. Regardless that many regard them as leg workout, they are in fact a full-body exercises. Out there in the water, your lower body should be strong as hell and your joints balanced and flexible. The ankles, knees, hip and spine have a big impact on your surfing and squats are a great exercises that will help you improve them. There are also two variations that you can do.
Jump-squats – go down into a squat and in that position explosively jump as high as you are able to
Single-leg squats – hang on just one leg and then squat as low as it is possible to. You may hold on to something for support up until you have the hang of it.
Ring chin-ups
Chest muscles, that’s the objective in this case. You want a balanced and strong body. Ring chin ups will add to your strength and body control. Why are they better that pull up bar chin ups? You’re a surfer, you have to work out dynamically, so hanging from the rings and pulling up requires more strength and coordination as a regular pull up. Try it!
Push-ups
The classic that works! I’d say that 90 per cent of men or women I work with have sub-par push-ups. It is possible you fall under this category and could use some technique corrections. With perfect technique (use the core, correct posture, control the shoulders…) it becomes a quite different exercise. Push ups will improve your duck dives, popups, and prevent shoulder injuries. For an extra bonus again go to the rings and do ring push-ups. When you improve your technique the some variations. Do more reps, add some load by elevating your feet or putting weight on your back. Do push ups really slowly and then raise the tempo. Mix it up!
How to do a perfect push up (try this article)? No wonder this video has 10 million views :)
Mobility drills
Surfing is all about flexibility and mobility of your joints. With age, maybe some previous injuries, inadequate exercise, a desk job at the office that full range of movement becomes something of your vibrant past. But it is never too late to pick it back up. Here are some great exercises that you can do to bring back that flexibility:
