How do surfers stay fit?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 22, 2026
Use Simple Calisthenics to Target Your Muscles
How do surfers keep fit?
5 ways to get surf fit
- Twisting burpees. Burpees mimic the explosive action of jumping up on your board after catching a wave, combining a push up and jump, while the added twist challenges your core and balance. ...
- Waking lunges. ...
- Straight arm pullovers. ...
- Single foot planks. ...
- Flying supermans.
Why are surfers in such good shape?
Strengthens muscles
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 get you fit?
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.
How do surfers stay lean?
Surfers get lean from following good fitness nutrition schedules as well as ingested calories. Fitness and leanness come from supplying muscle with nutrients before and after exercise and then every four hours to keep the anabolism (muscle building) process continuing.
26 related questions foundAre 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.
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 considered HIIT?
By nature of the demands of surfing, the surfer is also then performing many minutes of high-intensity sprint paddling (~5 min/h of high to sprint intensity paddling). That is, in essence, quite a lot of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) happening before we practitioners come in and 'intervene'.
Can you lose weight surfing?
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.
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.
Can I surf if I'm overweight?
Yes, they can! Not only can fat people surf but some fat surfers like Jimbo Pellegrine, Shawn Briley and James Mitchell have been the best to ever do it. Fat people may have a steeper learning curve and benefit from a larger board but can certainly still learn to surf.
Is surfing considered cardio?
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).
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.
How do you get a surfer body girl?
Steal it: Add 30-to 45-second high-intensity intervals eight to 12 times throughout a steady-state cardio workout. Legs and Butt Pro move: Keep a low center of gravity to stay up on the board. Steal it: Do as many staggered squats (one foot in front of the other) as you can in 20 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.
Why is surfing so tiring?
Surfing is an exhausting sport because surfers are pushing their limits while trying to harness their fears. Regardless of experience level, surfers are constantly challenging themselves both physically and mentally in an effort to catch and ride waves.
Is surfing once a week enough?
Surfing once, twice, or three times a week - it doesn't matter. As Duke Kahanamoku once said, "The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun." In order to have that fun, however, staying fit to surf is critical. Improving your surf technique depends on how ready you are to challenge the next wave.
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.
How many calories do you burn surfing for 3 hours?
Surfing in good waves = about 400 calories per hour. Surfing in tough conditions = 700 calories per hour.
Are surfers muscular?
The way a surfer arches their back builds muscle in the lower back, and neck. Each time a surfer stands up they're basically doing a push up. Going even further, really talented surfers will build muscle in their core and thighs while they're on a wave.
Why do surfers have thick necks?
When the neck has the strength to stay in place, it sets the stage for the core and other stabilizing muscles to do their job. It's hard to stay standing on the water if your neck is moving around. Thus, these neck muscles are built when riding a wave. The combination of all these, leads surfers to have thicker necks.
Why surfers are so chill?
It concluded that surfers "describe the surfing sensation as a hybrid of meditative and athletic experience. Numerous empirical studies link both meditative experience and exercise with reduced incidence of depression and anxiety; this potentially suggests that surfers may endorse fewer symptoms of either disorder."
Why is surfing so addictive?
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.
Do you have to be skinny to surf?
The first thing we need to acknowledge is that everyone can become an accomplished surfer - the tall and fat man, the short and skinny woman, the weak and unfit boy, and the athletic girl. The same rule applies to age. Anyone - young and old - is ready to take on surfing.
Why are surfers short?
The fact that twelve of the world's top 34 surfers are precisely 5' 9″ is probably just coincidence (or is it?!), but in many ways being short is advantageous to surfing. Less height allows for a low center of gravity, leading to good balance and a strong power base.