Can ya recommend a good off season workout for kiteboarders?

hiker1 · Since 01 Jul 2007 125 Posts Portland Stoked

Newbie kiteboarder here and yep, I know the best physical workout for KB is KB! Yet I just made it to the body drag stage before winter. I'm planning a spring trip in April to SPI to learn the ropes.

Anybody come across a specific workout routine for kiteboarders? Or what exercises do you think are most important? I know frequent flyers say their abs get a great workout; just wondering if there is a specific routine y'all enjoy. I'd like to be kiteboarding-fit when I hit the water early spring.

Or then again, I can just drag my close to 50 year old ass to the gym 4X a week and not stuff down too much holiday stuffing. Maybe that simple...

Thanks for the kite wisdom! Smile

Sol-flyer · Wed Dec 19, 07 5:35 pm

good linkage:

http://www.stormboarding.com/snowkitefitness.html

dcrowe · Wed Dec 19, 07 5:44 pm

go join a climbing gym and climb steep terrain. It will work your core and hands/arms for unhooked stuff. Plus it's a workout disguised as fun Very Happy

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Last year I had ACL replacement surgery and my physical therapist had me doing lots of lunges, squats and wall sits.... It seemed to really help a lot.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

http://www.ashtanga.com/default.html

another reason I like yoga:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbnXgZ5nIsU

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

GMAN -- I've fallen in love everytime I go to yoga down here.

Downward Dog = dirtydog

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Thats so awesome.

Hey I've been thinking about that Florida to Bimini Crossing - didn't see anything new on the website www.bahamascrossing.com since 2005 - maybe we should highjack it for a KB4C event - get the NWcrew involved - getting the weather timing could be challenging if you are not local (no wind you are drinking beer on the beach, too much and your support boats aren't going to make it).

My favorite yoga vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtWcb0bcA-A

Mark · Wed Dec 19, 07 9:13 pm

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

I sent Neil an email.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Dec 20, 07 10:09 am

I've found that playing xbox keeps me in shape for KB'ing.

Confused

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

OFFSEASON.........??? NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING......BEST BET TO KEEP DAILED FOR KITEBOARDING...............KITEBOARDING..........SNOW...LAND....WATER....OPEN THE DOOR AND CHARGE SOMETHING..... Exclamation

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

if you will still be in the learning stage, good core work will help you a lot. I remember my lower back and abs being really tired at the end of my lessons too, just a thought.

harleyboy · Since 13 Jun 2007 41 Posts

yoga, core stability, strength training and flexibility.

If you want to learn the tricks...go take a gymnastics class. If you are really keen!

One thing I will say about kiting is that it is NOT an aerobic sport. So if you already do an aerobic sport keep doing it. You ain't gonna burn a ton of calories kiting....especially as a beginner.

Kiting is more explosive when doing tricks etc. So doing things like plyometrics in the gym will help. Make sure you work into the plyo stuff tho. You can get injured really easily if you hit it to hard too soon.

sandbar · Since 11 Nov 2006 37 Posts Gorge Landmass

Yoga is good along with snowboarding to keep that your comfort level with sliding fast along low friction surfaces high.
I'm working on those backside carves/traverses in both directions can keep me further upwind on the water.

Plus its totally fun to do. Laughing

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

drink lots of beer.. that will keep you in shape for the gorge summer..haha.. biking and squats!!! cardio is key!!

hiker1 · Since 01 Jul 2007 125 Posts Portland Stoked

Thanks Y'all for the tips!

From hot yoga to beer to climbing walls and snowboarding. Lots to choose from. Great link Sol-Flyer, very comprehensive.

Probably won't get into snow-kiting this year, but speaking of wind and snow. Meadows tonight was gusting up to 72 mph - fantastic powder, but they shut down Express about 6:30. At least I got to ski in tons of wind!