I teach 1 hour fitness classes 8 times a week but I am much more exhausted after a really agressive high wind session. It helps that you're having so much fun and have your adrenaline pumping. I've estimated that I often have my heartrate above 60% for at least 3 hours straight, sometimes longer. I could never do that in the gym and without doubt I get heaps fitter after a couple of good wind weeks.

It's an awesome way to work out simply because you don't notice the pain as much. I'm sure a lot of you can relate to this; I often bruise, scrape, pull a muscle and cut myself while windsurfing but I don't even notice until I finish sailing or return home. That's the bad side, but it translates into being able to keep exercising while sailing for extended amounts of time.

windsurfing is all good whats that? pay the gym $50 hour to work out?? nar not me i just go windsurfing

h20 said...

As a physio windsurfing is a great exercis and good for general cross training. Issue is Ginger pom what do you do tocross train for windsurfing. I have recently found the ideal strength and fitness work and equip for all us sailors. I will post some stuff on our website this week. This will enable you tohandle 50 knot gusts and sail all day. It may even bulk up those pen pushing arms. In mean time have a google search for redcord. I'll put up windsurfing stuff up so watch this place. Can get a cheaper version. We are running redcord classes at clinic.

I've been seeing a personal trainer and he's been giving me lots of surfing related training eg lots of lunges and lunge/twist combinations. It's been pretty good at spotting muscles that previously weren't activating or were very weak. What's the difference between redcord and swiss ball stuff? - apart from the fact that visitors don't tend to think that a swiss ball is a love swing...

I used to exercise - t'was the worst 10 minutes of my life...

here it is-

The workout you get also depends on your type of windsurfing...

Last Saturday, took my big gear out (165lt board, 7.5 cammed sail) for some flatwater fun, was like 'armchair' sailing...barely raised the heart-rate, but I fully enjoyed it! Planing fairly fast, leaning back on harness & just using arms for steering...100% gybes. The only reason I'd call it a workout was due to the size/weight of the rig.

Yesterday, 20-25kts & gusty on small gear...woke up this morn & felt like I'd been hit by a bus!