Due to extreme cold and wind, had to stop paddling for several weeks. Finally got out last week for 2 days and we both noticed our lats hurting after a couple hours. I decided to find an exercise that replicated that pain to add to my winter off-water training. Hit the jackpot today!
I took one of those black workout rubber bands, wrapped it twice around a paddle shaft with the blade cut off and attached the other end to a pole in my basement. Then I rowed. Really strong resemblence to actual paddle stroke. My lats hurt in the same way as on the water anyway.
A poor mans paddle one I guess.
I also use a 10 lb 34" lat pulldown bar. The one with the cage on each end. I paddle outrigger and surfski with it. Great burn and in the upper body and rips the transverse abdominal as you rotate.
The two exercises are a great warmup for my weight training and aerobic training during the winter...LNB
Submitted by leavenobeave on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 12:42pm
When the kids were little and we travelled around Australia in the caravan all we used to use was a length of Elastic cord and a stick with a T piece. When we stopped for lunch I tied it to a tree, how far away I sat determined the intensity of the work out.
Got some funny looks from travellers passing by but it worked a treat!
#1 Sat, 01/03/2009 - 12:01am
Clarkie...
Sound like something i would have used to inflict some misery on my kid when he was little..... under 6'3"!!!!!!!!!!
:)
#2 Sat, 01/03/2009 - 6:25am
I use the super bands (1/2" and 1") from Perform Better.
I cut the blade off an old paddle which left me 36". I tie a girth hitch with the band on the bottom of the shaft. This prevents it from slipping. The other end to whatever.
Sit just off the floor on one of those workout steps and go at it. I'm amazed at how close this is to paddling. It couldn't be easier to make and cheap! So far the best I've found to work those muscles in the same way as actual paddle conditions.
Now if I could get my kids to throw water on me and rock me back and forth, I may never leave the basement. Tunes help too.
Try an advanced spinning class too to keep the lungs strong. Haven't found anything that beats it for pure cardio during the winter. It's a good class when I almost pass out...LNB
#3 Sat, 01/03/2009 - 9:57am
Borrowed a paddle attachment for my rowing machine.
Put on a movie or some sports and away ya go.
#4 Sat, 01/03/2009 - 7:18pm
oops !
#5 Sat, 01/03/2009 - 11:46pm