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Why do my legs shake when paddle boarding?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 18, 2026

One common mistake that stand up paddle boarding beginners make is to not position themselves on the board correctly. The wrong posture affects your balance on the board significantly and thus causes your legs to shake easily. To avoid this, always keep your legs slightly bent and your eyes on the horizon.

What muscles does paddle boarding use?

There are 11 muscles paddle boarding works:

  • Lungs (diaphragm)
  • Heart.
  • Quadriceps.
  • Hamstring.
  • Rhomboid.
  • Lats.
  • Traps.
  • Triceps.

How do I make my SUP more stable?

SUP Stability Tips

  1. Make sure you start on a board big enough for you. ...
  2. Knees Bent in Rough Water and Boat Wakes. ...
  3. Stand Up on Shore First. ...
  4. Always Stand up in the middle of the board. ...
  5. Paddling makes you more stable. ...
  6. When in Doubt – Paddle. ...
  7. Use a Static Brace. ...
  8. Sweeping Brace.

Will paddle boarding give you abs?

The main muscle groups that are being activated during a paddle are your mid back muscles (latissimus Dorsi), Shoulders (deltoids), Arms (triceps & biceps) and abs. Paddle Boarding is an all-body workout which has more than just the physical rewards, it can also restore your balance and calms your spirit.

Is paddleboarding good for weight loss?

On average, an hour of recreational paddleboarding burns 305 to 430 calories, paddleboard yoga 416 to 540 calories, paddleboard surfing 623 to 735 calories, and paddleboard racing 713 to 1125 calories. For comparison, running for an hour typically burns 510 to 650 calories.

43 related questions found

Can Ipaddle board im fat?

You might wonder: can I stand up paddle board when I'm overweight? The answer is yes! It might seem a bit daunting to do because you may struggle to climb back on the board without assistance because of poor upper body strength, fatigue, or wider shape of your belly, but that's the challenge you have to accept.

Does paddle boarding burn belly fat?

From boosting your mood to burning that belly flab, iSUP is a fitness trend that's here to stay. Don't get us wrong, paddle boarding isn't a quick fix to shedding pounds. It's not a magical detox, but it certainly has tremendous benefits. People who iSUP a few times per week will soon see the fat shed off.

Can you paddle board in the dark?

Stand up paddling in the dark is a great way for paddlers to get more out their adventure, but it is always recommended that you take safety precautions. With these few tips, you should get started on your evening expedition. Start with just one night trip; then get deeper later on.

Is SUP good for your back?

Paddleboarding (aka stand up paddling or SUP) is great for strengthening your back and core. However, like many core exercises, you need to make a conscious effort to use your core and avoid over-torquing your lower back and hips.

Why do my legs hurt after paddle boarding?

But the typical muscle soreness that you feel after a workout becomes very real the next morning. When paddleboarding, you are using a lot of the smaller muscles that you don't typically use, causing them to be sore the next few days.

Are shorter paddle boards more stable?

The Physics Behind Paddle Board Stability

A longer board will be able to hold more weight capacity and volume than a shorter paddle board. As a result, a longer paddle board may feel more stable than a shorter paddle board because the weight will be distributed forward and behind the rider.

Are longer paddle boards more stable?

A longer board can increase the volume and capacity, which can make it feel more stable and allow you to carry more on the board (width and thickness are also factors in volume and capacity; see the SUP Width and SUP Thickness sections of this article).

Are heavier paddle boards more stable?

Many paddlers believe that the heavier the board is, the more stable it will be in the water. This is not true, though the board's weight does impact paddleboarding in various water settings.

How do you not fall off a paddleboard?

Here are our best tips for avoiding it:

  1. Attitude is Key. Adopt the attitude that falling is not a failure. ...
  2. Strike a (Paddle) Pose. Position yourself correctly on the board, usually by the carry handle. ...
  3. Pace Yourself. ...
  4. Start Paddling. ...
  5. Look Where You're Heading… ...
  6. 6. … ...
  7. Be Careful, Be Kind.

How many calories does stand up paddle boarding burn?

How many calories do you burn paddle boarding? On average, you'll burn 330 to 460 calories per hour while recreational paddle boarding. That's twice the calories you'd burn walking your neighborhood! The average, recreational (all around) paddle is done on calm water with light winds at a walking pace.

Is SUP a full body workout?

Beyond the core alone, SUP is also a great all-round body workout. It's an exercise in strength and endurance that requires almost every element of the body to cooperate and pull its weight. When you paddle through the water, your quadriceps, shoulders, arms, and knees work together to propel you forward.

Is SUP good for posture?

#2 Good posture in SUP helps regain shape

While surfing's lying-down paddling is more physically demanding than SUP's vertical paddling, it also puts strain on your spine. The standing position in SUP allows you to paddle while preserving your back, provided you maintain a good posture.

Will paddle boarding hurt my back?

Your core, back and abdominal muscles will be constantly at work to keep your balance and keep you moving! Paddleboarding is also low impact. You won't be doing the damage to your tendons and ligaments of your joints that you would with, say, running.

Does paddle boarding cause back pain?

What lower back structures are at risk from SUP boarding? Muscles/ligaments/joints can be strained/sprained/irritated, which can be very painful. There are lots of ligaments and muscles located in the lower back region, and too many to discuss now.

Is it safe to paddle board in the ocean at night?

It's important to pick a safe location when paddle boarding at night. Avoid paddling in the ocean at night because it's unpredictable and you face some serious threats when dealing with limited visibility. The best locations to paddle at night are bays, lakes or harbors.

What should I wear to paddle board at night?

Clothing. Although you probably prefer to wear a swimsuit on the water, never underestimate how much temperatures can drop at night. Pack lightweight gym clothes in a dry bag in case you need to warm up on a cool evening.

How much weight can a paddleboard hold?

Paddle boards can hold an average of 200 to 300 pounds. But boards that hold 500 pounds or more are widely available. Paddle boards are weight-rated by individual manufacturers in pounds or by volume. SUPs themselves can weigh from 15 to 40 lbs, which factors into how much weight they can hold.

How do you stay on a paddle board?

Staying Balanced on a SUP

  1. Position your feet so they are parallel, about hip-width distance apart, and centered between the edges of the board.
  2. Keep your toes pointed forward, knees slightly bent and your back straight.
  3. Keep your head and shoulders steady and upright, and shift your weight by moving your hips.

What size paddle board do I need for my height?

SUP SIZING BY ACTIVITY TYPE. The general rule of thumb when determining what size stand up paddle board is right is to add 9-10 inches to the height of the paddler. In addition to the height, consider the weight of the paddler, their experience, and where they will paddle.