Kayaking is a great aerobic activity that uses both cardio and strength. Kayaks consist of a floating hull that you either sit on top of or inside, and a two bladed paddle to propel you across the water. Kayaking is usually done on flat water such as rivers or lakes, but you can also kayak out at sea or down white water rapids. The adventures you could go on with kayaks are endless!

The physical benefits you get from kayaking include strengthening the:

• torso and legs – the strength to power a kayak comes mainly from rotating the torso and applying pressure with your legs.
• arms
• shoulders
• back
• stomach muscles
• and works on your cardiovascular fitness

Kayaking is generally differentiated from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. Kayak is defined as a boat where the paddler faces forward, has their legs in front of them, and uses a double bladed paddle. Almost all kayaks have closed decks, however, there are many sit-on-top kayaks. A canoe is defined as a boat where the paddler faces forward and kneels in the boat, using a single bladed paddle. Canoes can be closed deck or open deck.

There are generally two different types of kayaking - Whitewater kayaking and Sea kayaking. Whitewater kayaking involves taking a kayak down rapids. Sea kayaking (also called Ocean kayaking) involves taking kayaks out on to the ocean or other open water such as lakes.

I have a two person inflatable kayak sitting in the garage that we got last winter. I can't wait until it starts getting warming around here so we can go try it out! I'm not sure if I have ever been kayaking before... I know I have been on a canoe so I'm anxious to try out the kayak! I just hope there is not a hole in it or anything and it inflates okay!

Despite popular opinion, lazy river tubing can be a great work out too.

At least if you keep paddling really fast to get ahead of everyone in the group so you can climb one of the overhanging trees and jump back into the river without getting left behind it is.

I used to float down the river all the time in an inner tube all the time as a kid... it was a lot of fun! I never did the paddling really fast and climbing trees thing though so I'm not sure I got a workout out of it! I was strictly just being lazy while floating down the river!