Kayaking is a great way to stay fit, as it works a variety of muscles all over your body. In this article, we will discuss which muscles are worked when kayaking.
The Muscles Used in Kayaking
Kayaking is a full-body workout, as it uses muscles in the arms, legs, back, and core. The main muscles used in kayaking are the latissimus dorsi (lats), trapezius (traps), and deltoids (shoulders) in the upper body, and the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteus maximus (glutes) in the lower body.
The lats are used to pull the paddle through the water, while the traps and deltoids stabilize the upper body. The quadriceps and hamstrings extend the legs and provide power to the stroke, while the glutes stabilize the lower body.
Kayaking also requires a strong core, as it helps to keep the hips level and maintain good posture. The abs, obliques, and lower back muscles all work together to kayak efficiently.
Latissimus Dorsi (lats)
The latissimus dorsi, or lats, are a large muscle group that runs from the lower back to the upper arm. They are responsible for pulling the paddle through the water and contribute to stabilizing the torso.
Trapezius (traps)
The trapezius is a triangular-shaped muscle that extends from the base of the neck to halfway down the back. It helps to stabilize and move head, neck, and shoulders; in kayaking, it works together with other muscles groups to keep your upper body stable.
Deltoids (shoulders)
The deltoids are a small muscle group that covers the shoulder joint. Their main function is to raise the arms away from their sides; however, they also work with other muscles when stabilizing the torso during kayaking.
Quadriceps (quads)
The quadriceps are a muscle group located on the front of the thigh. They work to extend the leg at the knee joint and play a major role in stroke power.
Hamstrings
The hamstrings are a large muscle group that extends from the pelvis to just below the knee joint. They work with the quads to extend the leg and provide most of your stroke power.
Gluteus maximus (glutes)
The gluteus maximus is one of three muscles that make up your buttocks; it is responsible for extending and rotating your hip, which helps when paddling through rough waters.
Conclusion
Kayaking is a great way to work a variety of muscles all over your body. The main muscles used in kayaking are the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, deltoids, quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteus maximus; however, it also requires good core strength to maintain efficient paddling technique.
