{"id":30,"date":"2022-07-20T19:38:29","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T19:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/?p=30"},"modified":"2022-07-21T00:18:41","modified_gmt":"2022-07-21T00:18:41","slug":"what-muscles-do-kayaking-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/","title":{"rendered":"What Muscles Do Kayaking Work? 12 Major Muscle Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_45_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\"><label for=\"item-64ff6f55e65c3\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-64ff6f55e65c3\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-visibility-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#12_Major_Muscle_Groups\" title=\"12 Major Muscle Groups\">12 Major Muscle Groups<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Biceps_and_Triceps\" title=\"Biceps and Triceps\">Biceps and Triceps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Hamstrings_backside\" title=\"Hamstrings (backside)\">Hamstrings (backside)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Abs\" title=\"Abs\">Abs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Glutes_butt\" title=\"Glutes (butt)\">Glutes (butt)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Quadriceps_frontside\" title=\"Quadriceps (frontside)\">Quadriceps (frontside)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Pectorals_chest\" title=\"Pectorals (chest)\">Pectorals (chest)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Latissimus_Dorsi_back\" title=\"Latissimus Dorsi (back)\">Latissimus Dorsi (back)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Deltoids_shoulder\" title=\"Deltoids (shoulder)\">Deltoids (shoulder)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Calves\" title=\"Calves\">Calves<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Erector_Spinae_back\" title=\"Erector Spinae (back)\">Erector Spinae (back)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/what-muscles-do-kayaking-work\/#Lats_back\" title=\"Lats (back)\">Lats (back)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>As you sit in your kayak, the cool water moving steadily beneath you, you can&#8217;t help but admire the muscles working hard to keep you afloat.<\/p>\n<p>Every muscle is firing from your arms and shoulders to your core and legs as you paddle downstream. But which ones are doing the most work?<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a closer look.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Major_Muscle_Groups\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">12 Major Muscle Groups<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Biceps_and_Triceps\"><\/span>Biceps and Triceps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As you paddle, your arms constantly move back and forth, propelling you through the water. This movement is primarily thanks to your biceps and triceps, which work together to flex and extend your elbows.<\/p>\n<p>Your biceps at the upper arm are responsible for bending your elbow and bringing your hand closer to your shoulder.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, your triceps, located on the back of your upper arm, work to straighten your elbow and extend your hand away from your shoulder.<\/p>\n<p>Together, these muscles allow you to generate a lot of power with each stroke, propelling you forward through the water.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hamstrings_backside\"><\/span>Hamstrings (backside)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While your arms are doing most of the work to move the kayak, your legs and core are also working hard to stabilize your body and keep you upright.<\/p>\n<p>Your hamstrings, located on the back of your upper legs, are responsible for bending your knees and helping you to sit upright in the kayak. They work alongside your glutes (butt muscles) to stabilize your hips and help you generate power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, your abs and obliques (side abdominal muscles) work together to stabilize your torso and prevent you from tipping over. Together, these muscles help you maintain good posture and balance in the kayak.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Abs\"><\/span>Abs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your abs work hard to keep you stable in the kayak. But they&#8217;re also responsible for another important function: generating power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>When you paddle, your abs contract, pushing your body forward through the water. This movement is through the action of your rectus abdominis, the large muscle that runs down the center of your abdomen.<\/p>\n<p>This muscle is sometimes referred to as your &#8220;six-pack muscle&#8221; because it&#8217;s visible on the surface of your stomach when you have low body fat. Contracting this muscle pulls your pelvis and lower back forward, propelling your body through the water.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Glutes_butt\"><\/span>Glutes (butt)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your glutes are responsible for keeping your hips stable in the kayak. But they also play an essential role in generating power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>When you paddle, your glutes contract and push your body forward through the water, this movement is thanks to the action of your gluteus maximus, the large muscle that makes up most of your butt.<\/p>\n<p>This muscle is the strongest in your body and is responsible for much of the power you generate when you paddle. When it contracts, it pulls your pelvis and upper legs forward, propelling your body through the water.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quadriceps_frontside\"><\/span>Quadriceps (frontside)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While your arms and core are doing most of the work to move the kayak, your legs are also working hard to stabilize your body and keep you upright.<\/p>\n<p>Your quadriceps, located on the front of your upper legs, are responsible for straightening your knees and helping you to sit upright in the kayak.<\/p>\n<p>They work alongside your hamstrings (backside muscles) to keep your hips stable and help you generate power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>Together, these muscles allow you to maintain good posture and balance in the kayak.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pectorals_chest\"><\/span>Pectorals (chest)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your pectorals are responsible for keeping your shoulders stable in the kayak. But they also play an essential role in generating power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>When you paddle, your pectorals contract and push your body forward through the water, this movement is thanks to the action of your pectoralis major, the large muscle that makes up most of your chest.<\/p>\n<p>This muscle is responsible for much of your power when paddling. When it contracts, it pulls your arms and upper body forward, propelling your body through the water.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Latissimus_Dorsi_back\"><\/span>Latissimus Dorsi (back)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your latissimus dorsi, or &#8220;lats,&#8221; keep your shoulders stable in the kayak. But they also play an essential role in generating power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>When you paddle, your lats contract and push your body forward through the water, this movement is thanks to the action of your latissimus dorsi, the large muscle that runs along the sides of your back.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s responsible for much of the power you generate when you paddle. When it contracts, it pulls your arms and upper body forward, propelling your body through the water.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Deltoids_shoulder\"><\/span>Deltoids (shoulder)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your deltoids are responsible for keeping your shoulders stable in the kayak. But they also play an essential role in generating power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>When you paddle, your deltoids contract and push your body forward through the water. This movement is thanks to the action of your deltoid muscle, the large muscle that makes up the majority of your shoulder.<\/p>\n<p>This muscle is responsible for much of your power when paddling. When it contracts, it pulls your arms and upper body forward, propelling your body through the water.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Calves\"><\/span>Calves<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your calves are responsible for keeping your feet stable in the kayak. But they also play an essential role in generating power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>When you paddle, your calves contract and push your body forward through the water, this movement is by the action of your gastrocnemius, the large muscle that makes up most of your calf.<\/p>\n<p>Calves are responsible for much of the power you generate when you paddle. When it contracts, it pulls your legs and lower body forward, propelling your body through the water.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Erector_Spinae_back\"><\/span>Erector Spinae (back)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your erector spinae is responsible for keeping your spine stable in the kayak. But also play an essential role in generating power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>When you paddle, your erector spinae contract and push your body forward through the water. The large muscle that runs along the length of your spine.<\/p>\n<p>This muscle is responsible for much of your power when paddling. When it contracts, it pulls your arms and upper body forward, propelling your body through the water.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lats_back\"><\/span>Lats (back)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your lats are responsible for keeping your shoulders stable in the kayak. But they also play an essential role in generating power with each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>When you paddle, your lats contract and push your body forward through the water, this large muscle runs along the sides of your back.<\/p>\n<p>The muscle is responsible for much of your power when you paddle. When it contracts, it pulls your arms and upper body forward, propelling your body through the water.<\/p>\n<p>Paddling requires many different muscles to generate power and keep the body stable. The chest, back, shoulders, and legs are essential in paddling. You can pull your body through the water and move forward by contracting these muscles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As you sit in your kayak, the cool water moving steadily beneath you, you can&#8217;t help but admire the muscles working hard to keep you afloat. Every muscle is firing from your arms and shoulders to your core and legs as you paddle downstream. But which ones are doing the most work? Let&#8217;s take a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":32,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30\/revisions\/45"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayakcountry.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}