The Health Benefits of Water Skiing
Water skiing has emerged as one of the most popular sports worldwide. In Canada, more than 45 percent of adults under 18 and 35 percent of those ages 18 and 29 are practicing it. Some do it for fun. Others want to keep fit and get their daily dose of exercise.
This sport offers more than an exciting experience. It benefits your health too. Since it engages nearly every muscle, it provides a full body workout. Plus, it revs up your metabolism and burns massive calories. Over time, your bones and joints will get stronger, your flexibility will improve, and those extra pounds will melt away.
Need more proof? Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of water skiing:
Increased Core Strength
A strong core translates into enhanced exercise performance and improved posture. The muscles in your core region help with everyday activities, such as walking, running, squatting, and bending over. If they are weak, your risk of injury increases.
In this sport, you’re using your core muscles to get up on the skis and hold your body in a stable position. This makes them stronger and boosts your overall fitness.
Faster Metabolism
Due to its intense nature, water skiing kick-starts your metabolism and burns fat. Depending on your body weight, you can burn 400 to 600 calories per hour. A 180-pound person, for instance, will torch 504 calories in 60 minutes. The heavier you are, the higher your energy expenditure.
Furthermore, you’ll continue to burn calories long after leaving the water. That’s because this sport helps build lean muscle and raises your heart rate, leading to a faster metabolism.
Improved Balance and Coordination
Water skiing requires a lot of balance and strong coordination skills. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. It’s an exciting form of balance training that benefits your joints, muscles, and overall health. In the long run, it helps prevent falls and improves functional fitness.
Stress Relief
When you’re in the water, nothing else matters. You feel calm and forget about your daily worries. Some people say that water skiing is just as relaxing and uplifting as meditation.
All types of exercise relieve stress and anxiety to some extent. By increasing dopamine and endorphin levels in the brain, physical activity supports mental health and brings inner peace. Water skiing is particularly beneficial because it allows you get out of your comfort zone and have fun!
Before getting started, consult a physiotherapist or a PT. They will assess your fitness levels and show you how to stay safe and get in shape.
