Fitness for Surfers

To surf you need to be in prime physical condition, otherwise you are just setting yourself up to get hurt...or worse. You must be strong to stay balanced on your board and swim in choppy water. Of all the fitness routines and programs available to get you in tip top shape we recommend two for women surfers...yoga and core exercises. Yoga is a system of exercises which help your control of the body and mind. It also improves your breathing and focuses the alignment of your body. Through practices of holding a variety of body positions or asanas, and the centering of the mind and breath in a meditative way, the practitioner increases body awareness, posture, flexibility of body and mind and calmness of spirit.

The core, or trunk, of your body is your center of gravity. Strong core muscles - abdominal, back and pelvis - provide support to your spine for everything from walking, lifting and standing to sitting. Weak core muscles may lead to poor posture, lower back pain and injury.

You can strengthen your core muscles, including your abs, by doing core exercises at home on a cushioned floor surface or at the gym on a mat. Yoga is excellent for working the core so if you do yoga then you are actually doing both.

Learn more about surfing fitness