Staying fit while cruising

[Mambo42]

It is a good topic and it is important to stay somewhat in shape. We have 3 dogs onboard who need to walk at least 3 times a day for about 1 hour each time. In the heat of the summer however there is no way we can get them to walk 3 hours a day, so logically speaking we don't walk that amount either.
We do have bicycles onboard, plus a paddle board, but overall I must say that I should do more. Not getting any younger and have blood flow problems in my legs quite often. Perhaps it is time for a home trainer onboard, just to keep the legs moving. Just don't know how that will hold out in salt air.

 

[ABfish]

Sorta like nice rowboat versus RIB, I traded my 14 ft. touring kayak for a cheapo 10 footer. The bigger kayak was too hard to handle by myself on the dock or the foredeck of my boat.

The 10 footer paddles like a bathtub, but it's just as effective as a workout. But you only cover half as much ground. You just need to forget the pleasure of paddling a real boat.

 

[psneeld]

Sorta like nice rowboat versus RIB, I traded my 14 ft. touring kayak for a cheapo 10 footer. The bigger kayak was too hard to handle by myself on the dock or the foredeck of my boat.

The 10 footer paddles like a bathtub, but it's just as effective as a workout. But you only cover half as much ground. You just need to forget the pleasure of paddling a real boat.

Yep...even a bad kayak/rowing boat beats the heck out of a "rowing machine". Even if the machine may technically give the more precise workout. Being familiar with many rowing machines after years of crewing and one of the better machines while deployed on long USCG cutter deployments....

I dislike "gym workouts" compared to living life experiences that require exercise.... even if it's mundane yard work. Been telling wives and girlfriends for decades.... "I don't do dirt"

 

[O C Diver]

I dislike "gym workouts" compared to living life experiences that require exercise....

Ted

 

[Mac2]

Really surprised at the responses so far (or lack of). OP is asking about staying in shape while cruising.
Staying in shape means some sort of cardio 3-4 times a week (total of 150 minutes walking, rowing etc, less if more aggressive activity like running). And resistance training 3-4 times a week (45-60 minutes a session).
This is a whopping 6.5 hours a week maximum.
I anchor out the majority of the time I go cruising. To be consistent about the above you will need a machine of some sort for the cardio. This guarantees the means to workout in bad weather and still leaves you the option of rowing your dinghy, walking etc. same goes with resistance training. I like weight training because it is concentrated and takes less time for greater results-Ive got stuff to do!
Feel free to PM me if you want more details. I have access to my nephew-a top notch professional trainer.

 

[SteveK]

EXERCISE. AN activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness.

If you exercise on land then you will adapt that to the water. But if you cannot then you will stop boating.
Currently I an trying to duplicate my comfortable recliner at home to the helm chair.

 

[psneeld]

I guess "in shape" is a concept that can be narrowed a bit depending on "in shape" for what.

Many studies have shown that reasonable walking (distance and speed) for many people past 60 year in age is about as much cardio as one needs to live a long life. It goes along with not being sedentary as in sitting the rest of the day after your 40 minute walk. If you are occasionally running marathons, than probably a more rigorous cardio is necessary.

So it boils down to what kind of shape does one wat to be in? Good enough for general health? or some variation up to serious physical activity requiring top end cardio capability.

I seemed to manage enough shore time even when anchoring out (East Coast ICW) to get the/or near recommended cardio to keep my doctors happy. The only machine besides sneakers was a bicycle that I used for grocery/parts runs.

 

[tiltrider1]

Walking is probably the best exercise you can do. It always surprises us that we loose weight while vacationing in Europe. It’s because we walk 4 hours a day.

 

[Mac2]

Walking is probably the best exercise you can do. It always surprises us that we loose weight while vacationing in Europe. It’s because we walk 4 hours a day.

Totally agree. Im in Europe right now and everyone walks! My elevator doesn’t work, so I get to climb eight flights every day. Another poster mentioned the private beaches here in Washington-one of the few states where people and businesses own a lot of the tidelands, so there are many anchorages Im not allowed to go to land.

 

[Mac2]

Forgot to mention this piece of equipment. Pedal powered standup paddle board by hobie. It is a stair climber type workout (steps are very short-unnatural). It is steered by the handlebar rudder controls. Fun to use but it has to be calm/flat water to use-why I rarely use it. As you step up and down, your balance is constantly shifting and waves make it extremely precarious. My dad gave this to me after he fell off and couldn’t get back on (he was on a lake). I use it primarily as a paddle board. Hobie makes a kayak version, powered the same way, but I have not talked to anyone that has used it.