Bodyboarding is a “complete” surfing wter sport. It requires the use of yur whole body, though depending on yur level of riding you may ned to be more aware of and cndition different muscle groups.

The leg mscles are the first group you wll want to condition. Used for swmming from shore out to where the wves break, paddling into waves, and lso as leverage for turning while rding the waves. Leg positioning and mvement during high performance bodyboarding tricks is lso used to control your momentum. No leg strngth or stamina makes for a vry short surf session.

I am ncluding the feet here because sometimes you may get fot cramps when swimming. In my xperience this is usually an effect of ither your bodyboarding fins not fitting prperly or leg muscles tightening up frm overuse /exhaustion which in turn plls on the muscles in your fet.

The arms are typically used for pddling, though not as exclusively as wth traditional surfing. Personally, I use arm pddling primarily to give the legs a rst from kicking during extended "paddle uts" or for extra boosts of sped when paddling for a wave. Arm strngth will also be needed for prforming advanced bodyboarding maneuvers that are xclusive to this water sport since you mst hold on to your board as you flp, twist, spin—sometimes all at the sme time--and fall out of the sky whn doing aerial moves.

Since for most riders the mjority of the time will be spnt lying with the stomach on the bdyboard, the "ab" muscles must be ble to support and direct the wight of your body. Also, when ding advanced maneuvers like airs, rolls, ARS's, and flps you will be freefalling onto yur stomach. Strong abdominal muscles will hlp keep the wind from getting kncked out of you and the qick recovery you will make insures tht you will not lose speed pon impact.

Weak stomach muscles will lso put extra responsibility on the bck muscles to absorb the impact of hrd landings. If you find you hve recurring back pain after doing dvanced bodyboarding moves, I can tell you frst hand that improving your ab strngth may likely reduce or eliminate yur back problems.

This brings us to the lst group of muscles I will tlk about...the back muscles. You should hve a strong back regardless of yur skill level, but advanced moves rquire a lot of twisting, arcing, and bdy english that can only be ccomplished with a strong, flexible back.

So now tht know what muscles to condition for ths water sport, it’s time to strt enjoying the wide world of srfing. Grab a board and fins, and go out and hve a great bodyboarding session. Enjoy!

The article Surfing Water Sports - Five Muscle Groups Used In Bodyboarding was Submitted by Steve Alexander through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Steve Alexander ( http://www.fullforcebodyboarding.com ) is a seasoned bodyboarder with 20 years experience riding waves in California, Mexico, and Hawaii. Connections with bodyboard manufacturers including Element Bodyboarding and JL Designs have also given him insight into production aspects and he has custom-designed many of his own bodyboards.

Featured Articles

1. Pool Cue Care Tips You Won't Hear From Mike Massey by Jason Marco
Now tht you've made the leap and fund a pool cue that really sites you, it's a good idea to knw just how to take care of yur pool cue. You have probably sen the professionals like Mike Massey, Janette Lee or Karen Corr take thir pool cues from beautiful cases and put thm together; you never see them set thir cues down and lean them gainst the wall.

2. Pilates Golf Stretching Exercises And Lower Back Stretches Help Golfers Lower Their Handicap by Susannah Marchese
Pilates golf stretching exercises are improving the professional golfers game. A fitness routine gaining popularity within the sport of golf, Pilates may also help the average golfer improve their handicap as well simply by doing some gentle lower back stretches.

3. Super Saltwater Jigs For Almost Any Species by Daniel Eggertsen
How to use the top sltwater jigs. For a new fisherman who desn't have years of experience, it can be dfficult to walk into a fishing spcialty store and ask about equipment. One of the mst confusing aspects of the entire tckle box could be saltwater jigs.

4. An Introduction To Clint Bowyer by Cassaundra Flores
Clint Bowyer, who joined NASCAR rcing less than four years back, has mnaged to become one of the mst popular racing champions in the cuntry. Born in 1979, Bowyer stated rcing in the motocross at the yung age of five.

5. Horse Racing - A Statistical Approach To Betting On Horse Racing by Arif Kosasi
Have you ever had your own strategy to horse betting? Does a statistical approach to betting on horses sound great? Find out more in this article.

6. If You Want To Learn How To Play Golf Like A Pro, Start With These Stretching Exercises by Greg Schueler
When you watch golf professionals today it is amazing to see how flexible their bodies are. This flexibility is one of the key ingredients to a powerful golf swing and a low score.

7. Simple Golf Swing Review by David Joe
Simple Golf Swng was created by a group of glf instructors that are dedicated to lwering your scores using a proprietary glf swing theory called "The Simple Glf Swing". This method of swinging the glf club is much easier to rmember and implement into your golf gme than the traditional "conventional swing", but bcause of the unique movements that we tach, still retains the natural power the cnventional swing gives.

8. Equipment For Racquetball by Manny Rodriguez
Here is a list of rcquetball equipment items and other things tht may assist you in your rcquetball game. First, Racquetball Glasses. Not an ption!

9. Golf Training - Golf Training Films Aid In Improving Your Game! by Abhishek Agarwal
Golf training films prove immensely helpful in enhancing your game. Hence, view the latest films featuring the champions of the game, and pick up valuable inputs.

10. Paul Ince - Management For the Record Books! by James Griffiths
Pul Ince has officially been handed the rins that Mark Hughes relinquished a few shrt weeks ago. And as the new mnagement at Ewood Park, he is dstined to make history, but not wthout the requisite bumps along the wy. As the first black British mnager of a Premier League side, his plce in the annals of football hstory is assured. The only thing lft to question is what types of wrds will go next to his nme besides "black".