Water skiing is now one of the most popular sports in the world; it’s adventurous and exciting.
It’s one of the most fun activities you can do in the water, and we already know that swimming is an excellent exercise for you but did you know that so is water skiing?
However, how good of exercise is water skiing, and can you build muscles skiing or not? This article will tell you everything you need to know.
So, is water skiing a good exercise? Water skiing is good exercise. It requires movement from every muscle in your body, so it’s a full-body workout. That’s why most skiers feel that their body is aching after skiing and a little bit sore. You also burn a tremendous amount of calories while water skiing.
Just keep reading if you want to know more about what muscles are used in water skiing and how many calories you can burn doing it.
Is Water Skiing a Good Exercise?
Water skiing is a great exercise, even though most people think that you are only using your lower body while water skiing, but this is incorrect.
The truth is when you are water skiing, your whole body works together as one, and you use your shoulders, legs, grip strength, back, thighs, and core.
This is why you may feel like you can’t move that next day after waterskiing for the first time, but with time you will gain strength, your core will be stronger, and you will be able to handle water skiing better.
It’s also important to be gentle on your joints while skiing, so stretching before and after water skiing is essential to prevent any strains or sprains.
You will see an improvement in your flexibility besides a significant weight loss since it leads to a faster metabolism. However, you should train your core, shoulders, back, and legs before water skiing; it will make it easier for you.
How Many Calories Can You Burn While Water Skiing?
You can burn between 400 and 600 calories per hour while water skiing; the more you water ski, the faster your metabolism, and the more you burn fat. That’s why advanced skiers burn more than people who just started skiing.
You will also keep burning calories after water skiing and leaving the water because it raises your heart rate and helps you to build lean muscle.
What Muscles Are Used In Water Skiing?
Water skiing requires all the major muscles to be used, and it’s crucial to work your whole body muscles and not just lean on your shoulders, back, or legs.
It’s recommended to train your core before water skiing to prevent joint injuries and to help your body to work together. It also prepares you for any sudden changes in the water; the more robust your core and muscles are, the more stabilized you will be.
Plenty of everyday exercises help you build a stronger core, such as running, hiking, squatting, and walking. So if you rarely do one of these activities, your core is likely weak and can increase your risk of getting injured while water skiing.
Training your grip strength is crucial because if the boat driver takes an unexpected turn, you need to hold on, so you don’t fall out of your skis.
Even though water skiing is a great workout that will keep you in better shape, you should work out before water skiing, water skiing won’t be as fun if you are struggling during it, so if you feel that you have weak muscles and core, it is time to hit the gym.
Is Water Skiing Good Cardio?
Water skiing is one of the best cardio that you can do, and for so many reasons; it doesn’t only keep you healthy, but it also improves so many things in your lifestyle.
- Stronger core
- Muscle toning
- Better balance
- Faster metabolism
- Stress reliever
- Develops stronger legs
- Better resistance
Stronger Core
You probably are sick of the word core already, but you really don’t know how important it is till it comes to water skiing.
The whole idea of water skiing is based on your core, it is the thing that keeps you on your skis, and without a strong core, any wave can knock you out of your water skis.
Muscle Toning
One of the most remarkable features of water skiing is muscle toning; using every muscle in your body to hold yourself up and fight water resistance so you won’t fall off your skis leads to muscle toning.
Also, if you have a terrible posture, water skiing can fix that, so if you have a job that requires sitting at a desk all day long, sooner or later, your posture will not be the same as it was, so water skiing is an excellent option for you.
It will leave you with broad shoulders and more muscular arms.
However, for females, if you are worried that it will leave you with muscular arms, it doesn’t work that way because it’s harder for females to build visible muscles without any enhancement, but it will leave you with toned arms and shoulders.
Better Balance
Your core and balance are inseparable when it comes to water skiing because it is the same idea; both will hold your body up and resist any obstacles in the way.
Faster Metabolism
Water skiing can be quite intense, and as soon as you start water skiing, it kicks your metabolism, and your body starts burning fats faster since it raises your heart rate and helps your body build lean muscles.
Advanced skiers can burn up to 600 calories per hour, while regular skiers can burn between 400 and 500 calories per hour.
Stress Reliever
As a person who is always anxious and overthinking, I can comfortably say that the best thing about water skiing is that it relieves all stress.
While you are in the water, the only thing you are thinking about is water skiing, and you are genuinely having a ton of fun.
It’s kinda like yoga and meditation; it uplifts you, and it doesn’t only relieve stress while you are in the water, but for the rest of the day, you will be in a better mood and with more energy to work or do whatever you want.
Develops Stronger Legs
You already know that water skiing helps you build muscle in your whole body, but you don’t know that it also tones up the muscles in your legs pretty fast.
It’s true that you are using your whole body water skiing, but if you are skiing on rough water, you will use your legs more. This is because you use your legs while water skiing to control the direction, and during the whole thing, you will be doing a half-squat.
Related Questions
Can You Gain Muscle Water Skiing?
You can gain muscle in water skiing; when you are water skiing, you are using every muscle, so naturally, it helps to build lean muscle; it also leaves you with a better posture and more muscular arms and shoulders; water skiing leads to faster metabolism as well.
What Kind of Exercise Is Water Skiing?
Water skiing is a full-body exercise as it requires effort from every muscle in your body. You need a strong core for water skiing, so ensure to work on your core before going water skiing; it will make it easier for you, and water skiing can give you more strength in your body.
Can You Get Sore Water Skiing?
You can get sore water skiing. The day following the water skiing, your whole body will ache, and you will feel sore. It’s completely normal, all you need to do is stretch, and it will help you get over it; however, over time, you should take some precautions to protect your muscles and joints.
How Does Water Skiing Build Muscle?
Water skiing helps you build muscle due to water resistance. While water skiing, you are forced to hold your whole body up, kinda like planking. However, to do so, you must already have some muscles to help keep yourself up.