Now that spring has arrived on the northern half of the planet, you may be feeling the need to go outdoors with your workout. This is the time of year when you get out the bicycle and add some great outdoor exercise options to your usual routine. And while cycling is a terrific cardiovascular and lower body workout, what about that upper body?

Why not give Kayaking a try?

Kayaking affords you a great upper body workout, developing chest, shoulders and back muscles while increasing strength and endurance. Fighting rapid water or taking a slow and steady trip can really give your cardiovascular system a workout as well.

Kayaking is done on just about any type of water from rivers to lakes and the open sea. Canoeing is different from kayaking due to the fact that a canoe is an open vessel while the kayak has what is referred to as a closed cockpit.

Fishermen use kayaks as do adventure sportsmen and divers. Kayaks are very adaptable and have great range. So much so, that kayaking as a sport has seen a rapid rise over the last several years. Of course, this means the price of kayaking equipment has increased as well.

An inflatable kayak for the beginner can be bought for $250 give or take. This level of kayak is usually available from a store like Costco or a sporting goods chain. You can probably find cheaper alternatives but they are not recommended. As with a bicycle, you wouldn’t be inclined to start out with the $59 model to start a new fitness routine and this attitude holds true for kayaking as well. $699-$1,000 can put you into a one-man kayak that is good for recreational paddling on fresh water or the sea. More superior boats will cost upwards of the thousand dollar mark and differ based on classification.

The more expensive models are lighter and easier to maneuver in and out of the water. They also become more stable as the engineering improves. Should you become a serious kayaker and want better equipment, consider purchasing a used kayak to get a better price point.

There are five basic categories for kayaks based upon the end use. General recreation, day trip or light touring models, expedition touring, whitewater and surf models round out the five classifications. Usability in each class affects price.

Though kayaking can be expensive, it doesn’t have to be. Nor does it have to happen in major rapids to be beneficial to your strength and endurance levels. It’s a great upper body workout for anyone. For fitness purposes, kayaking is actually well suited to still water like lakes while rivers provide their own tests. And of course, it requires strength, endurance and the ability to make calculated choices in order to navigate successfully and safely.

If enjoying the outdoors while meeting your health and fitness demands sounds appealing, give your upper body a workout and try kayaking.

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