Does surfing work glutes?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 21, 2026
Endless paddling may make it seem like surfing is purely an upper-body workout, but strong glutes and hips and pelvic stability is what helps you go from cruising to turning and shredding.
Is surfing good for glutes?
It Shapes your Butt
Ever wonder why surfers generally have sexy firm butts and toned legs? That's because all that squatting and balancing on the board works out the quadriceps, gluteus and gastronemius muscles.
What muscles do you work when surfing?
As well as building muscle strength in your upper body and legs, the cross-training effect of surfing is a brilliant workout for your core, making it a full body workout. A lot of surf research suggests we use our trapezius, rectus abdominis, latissimus dorsi, obliques, triceps, biceps and deltoids.
Does surfing make you bigger?
Going even further, really talented surfers will build muscle in their core and thighs while they're on a wave. The constant pumping up and down the wave engages these muscles by contracting and expanding the limbs. Long story short, the more you surf, the more muscles you're going to build.
Will surfing get you in shape?
Surfing is adaptable for all skill and experience levels. Paddling out to catch waves will help build cardiovascular and upper body strength, and popping up into your stance will work your legs and core. As you move through these steps you are working your overall endurance while having the time of your life.
43 related questions foundWhy are surfers so skinny?
Surfers get lean for many reasons. It is a combination of aerobic and resistance training work outs. Aerobics use fatty acids for fuel and recovery from intense muscle use also incorporates fatty acids for restoring energy, repairing, and rebuilding muscle.
Is surfing good for losing weight?
While “losing weight” may be a misnomer since muscle is heavier than fat, surfing will definitely help you burn fat and excess calories. The average surfer burns 400 calories an hour while surfing. Since surfing is so fun, you're likely to spend more time doing it opposed to other grueling or boring forms of exercise.
What are the benefits in surfing?
Surfing provides many health benefits including:
- cardiovascular fitness – from paddling.
- shoulder and back strength – these muscles will strengthen from the paddling.
- leg and core strength – once you're standing up on the board, strong legs and a strong core will keep you up.
Is surfing good for your skin?
Surfing can be rather damaging to the skin. The frequent contact with the sea, sand, salt, and the wetsuit demands specific measures to keep your skin happy and healthy. Surfing is amazing for the body and the mind, but not so much for the skin.
What body type is best for surfing?
Beyond the subjectivity of style, ectomorphs are technically superior surfers. Long, lean muscles allow these athletes to achieve body positions that facilitate both tighter and more elongated maneuvers.
Do surfers need strong legs?
Any well designed surf training programs or surf exercise programs must include some single leg work. As a surfer, this is paramount to becoming exceptionally strong, developing core stability, training foot/ankle strength, and keeping your knees in good shape.
How many calories do you burn surfing?
Surfing in small or relaxed waves = about 250 calories per hour. Stand up paddling in small waves = about 300 to 450 calories per hour. Surfing in good waves = about 400 calories per hour. Surfing in tough conditions = 700 calories per hour.
Do surfers have big shoulders?
And while it's certain that a surfer is probably easy to spot, with wide, strong shoulders and solid hips and thigh muscles, it's also true that surfers come in all shapes, sizes, genders, and body types.
Is surfing a low impact sport?
Surfing is also low impact, so it's not tough on your knees and joints as some other sports are. In addition to building muscle strength in your upper body and legs, there are cross-training benefits from surfing.
How do I get a surfer body?
How to Build a Surfer's Body
- Knee-to-Chest Burpee. Stand straight, arms at your sides. ...
- Plank With Diagonals. Begin in a push-up position, elbows on the ground. ...
- Spider-Man Push-up. Start in high plank position. ...
- Extended Side Angle. ...
- Single-Leg Squat.
How can I improve my surf mobility?
Let's duck-dive into five of my favorites.
- #1. Roll Your Ribcage for Better Paddling. Ah the thoracic spine… ...
- #2. Lunge & Twist for Sharper Turns. ...
- #3. The Sleeper Stretch for Safer Shoulders. ...
- #4. The Squat Sequence for Mobile Hips. ...
- #5. Balance Drills for Safer Knees.
Does surfing increase metabolism?
The sport of surfing will provide you with both aerobic and anaerobic benefits, and that's the formula that will have a positive impact on your metabolism. Surfers may spend a lot of time waiting for the waves, but their time in the water is actually more active than it might appear.
What do surfers put on their face?
One of the biggest sunscreen trends we're seeing is surfers, athletes, celebs, and kids applying thick stripes of Zinka sunscreen on their faces. Think of it as colorful warrior stripes that are doing your face good too. The product contains zinc oxide to help protect against the sun's damaging rays.
Can you get wrinkles from surfing?
At first it might seem bizarre that the body reacts to water this way. As it turns out, it's a good thing for us surfers. Scientists believe that the hands and feet wrinkling up are an adaptation to being in the water.
Why is surfing so addicting?
SURFING ADDICTION IS ALL ABOUT BRAIN CHEMISTRY
This results in you experiencing a flood of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Once you feel the intense joy and pleasure, your body and brain want you to keep going back for more. If you feel irritable after a few days away from your board, this is likely the reason.
Is 40 too old to learn to surf?
Just like there is no age limit for surfing, there is no age limit for learning how to surf. It's never too late to start! Regardless of your age, learning how to surf can be achieved with enough time and determination.
Do you need to be a good swimmer to surf?
So, do you have to be a good swimmer to surf? No, you don't have to be a good swimmer but it certainly helps. Since your board will float you, you really need to know how to paddle and control your surfboard.
Are surfers happy?
Surfers release a lot of adrenaline and endorphins while they are riding the waves. These hormones cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. A surge of adrenaline makes you feel very alive. Endorphins resemble opiates in their chemical structure and have analgesic properties.
Does surfing in cold water burn more calories?
By surfing in cold water, your body must work twice as hard to keep itself warm. Thus, you can burn twice as many calories, which will increase your metabolism. By increasing your metabolism, this will also help you lose weight easier and give you more stamina.
Is surfing enough exercise?
In addition to providing a good cardio workout (try paddling over waves and see how hard your heart pounds), surfing is a whole-body workout. Murphy says that paddling mostly works the upper back muscles and the deltoids (shoulder muscles).