In preparation for the hot summer months, you might want to start thinking of all the wonderful water activities that you can do. Water sports are not only fun and exciting, but they also help you burn fat quickly, train your cardiovascular endurance, and even build lean muscle. Of course, the level of cardiovascular recruitment and muscle activation will depend on the type of water sport you choose, but rest assured that the majority of these activities make for amazing total-body workouts.

From kayaking and surfing, all the way to traditional swimming or scuba diving, there are plenty of engaging and rewarding water sports you can take on throughout the summer season. You can even take on these activities during the colder months of the year if you’re looking for an extra challenge. Let’s take a look at some of the best water sports to get your body toned while having tons of fun.

Deepwater running and swimming

First on our list are the two water sports you can do all year round – swimming and deepwater running. There is no denying the physical and mental benefits of swimming on a regular basis, nor that hitting the pool early in the morning is one of the best ways to start a productive day. During the cold winter months, you can hit the local enclosed pool for a refreshing morning workout, but during the warm summer season you can go swimming under the clear blue skies.

Another amazing activity that works your whole body, but targets your lower body predominantly is deepwater running. This is a workout that requires you to submerge yourself underwater up to your torso and run against the resistance that the water creates. It’s a tough workout, one that triathletes and endurance athletes use to enhance their lower body conditioning and explosiveness.

Kayaking and paddle boarding

Kayaking and paddle boarding are two complementary sports that can work your entire body, or just parts of your body depending on how you approach these activities. For example, if you choose to paddle the board standing up, you will get a total body workout in because you will need to paddle and maintain your balance on the board, making it a tough workout for your upper and lower body. 

On the other hand, kayaking works your upper body predominantly because you are seated in a kayak, but it can be very intense depending on the kind of kayaking expedition you embark on. You can choose to do some light kayaking as a general way to stay fit, or you can go for those challenging kayak races and paddle against the waves and the tides to really give your upper body a tough workout. Don’t be fooled, you will be sore after kayaking or paddle boarding without a doubt.

Go wakeboarding and scuba diving

Some of the most challenging water sports that really work your entire body are not found in shallow waters, but little further out. Wakeboarding, where you’re tethered to a boat or yacht is one of those sports that will challenge and work every muscle in your body. For people who have their own traditional boats or inflatable RIBCO boats able to reach higher speeds, wakeboarding is not only a favorite summer activity but a workout that can tone the entire upper and lower musculature.

Taking your boat out further from the shore is also a great opportunity to go scuba diving, which is yet another challenging workout when you have to swim underwater against the resistance of the currents. Much like reveling in the beauty of your surroundings when you’re wakeboarding, scuba diving allows you to marvel at the beauty of the marine life around you.

Surfing and kitesurfing

Next on our list of challenging water sports are, of course, surfing and kitesurfing. These are timeless summer sports that millions of vacationers partake in throughout the hotter months of the year, and they definitely have a steep learning curve. 

This also means that both surfing and kitesurfing are extremely challenging for beginners and veterans alike. Balancing on the board, paddling with your arms until you learn how to stand, battling the waves and staying upright, all of these till challenge your body in ways you never thought possible.

Whitewater rafting

Last but not least, whitewater rafting is one of those water sports that comes with a lot of adrenaline and excitement. This is typically a group activity that requires professional guidance and supervision, and it’s definitely geared towards the adrenaline junkies among you. 

You will need to paddle as hard as you can and use your entire body to keep the raft leveled as you’re battling the currents and descending the extremely fast rivers, all of which makes for an adventure you won’t forget. Expect to experience muscle soreness like never before after you’re done whitewater rafting.

Wrapping up

Water sports are an amazing way to tone your entire body and have fun while doing it. Be sure to partake in some of these activities in the months leading up to the summer season, but when the summer starts, go surfing and wakeboarding to maintain your physique in the most rewarding way possible.