Dr. Sarah Ellis is an Air Club for Girls Team Pro. Off the water, she owns and runs a physical therapy clinic. With a degree in exercise science, her advice will help you have more great sessions, and less injuries.
Do This or Lose It!
Kiteboard Help & How to exercise & train for kiteboarding workouts a guide to staying in shape off the water by Sarah Ellis
Kiteboarding requires a unique synergystic blend of core strength. From stance to jumping to carving, you're using muscle combinations used little in many day to day routines. The following exercises will help you train and stay in kiteboarding shape, especially during the off season. Use this kiteboarding workout as guide only. And, always be sure to get advice from your physician before starting any workout or training program, including these kiteboarding exercises.
Ever leave a session back on the water after some time off and feel like you have lost everything? Then start doing these kiteboarding exercise . . .you can stay in shape at home and help you hit the water better than you left it! Kiting uses an intricate combination of muscle groups that don’t get used in typical workout programs, such as a run on the beach or basic gym equipment.
for Improving balance, especially during carves and transitions.
works Core muscles, specifically obliques and upper thighs.
how Start with feet shoulder width apart holding medball at chest level. Step out and around ending with legs in a lunge position and medball at opposite side of body.
reps 20-25 each leg (straight through or alternating legs)
dead row
Single leg dead lift with row
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for Endurance going upwind, balance for standing start, ankle strength, keeping the bar in during unhooked moves
works Hamstrings, gluts, upper back muscles, foot and ankle strength
how Start with arm in row position, with the same knee raised. Extend leg and arm pivoting over stationary leg. Bring back up to starting position.
reps 20 per leg
side lift
Single leg dead lift with row
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for Endurance during riding, body control in the air i.e. repositioning the board for landing
works Transverse abdominals, obliques, outer hip muscles
how Start in side plank position with elbow directly under shoulder and legs out straight. Lift top leg keeping foot facing straight forward or slightly toward the ground. Bring back down to other leg slightly touch then repeat.
reps 15 per leg
side reach
Side holds with reach through
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for Spins, riding endurance for maintaining good body position, stabilization during landing, body control in the air
works Transverse abdominals, obliques, hips, shoulder stabilizers
how Start in side plank with arm extended directly under shoulder and legs out straight. Wrap top arm underneath body rotating hips down. Open back up to arm facing the sky then repeat.
reps 15 per arm
plank reach
Plank with reach through and heel tap
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for Riding toeside and blind, core strength for enhancing correct body posturing during long riding sessions, stabilization for landing, body control in the air
works Shoulder stabilizers, obliques, transverse abdominals, chest, inner thigh
how Start in push-up position then extend left arm toward the sky while bringing right leg through underneath your body and tapping the heel directly at midline. Try not to put all your body weight on the outstretched heel. Repeat by alternating sides using right arm and left leg.
reps 10 per side
plank tuck
Plank with cross tuck
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for Spins, front rolls, raleys, carving turns and transitioning, riding endurance with good body positioning
works Core, obliques, transverse abdominals, spinal extensors
how Start in push-up position then bring right knee up to tap left forearm rotating hips under your body. Repeat coming back to push-up position then alternating to opposite side.
reps 10 per side
plank iso
Push up position change elevation to plank
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for Shoulder stabilization and strength for unhooking, shoulder stabilization for controlling the kite with one hand on the bar, riding endurance for maintaining correct body positioning
works Chest, triceps, core, quads
how Start in push-up position then drop down to one elbow then the other ending in plank position. Then push back up one are at a time ending in push-up position.
reps 1:00 minute (around 15 bouts per arm)
single squat
Single Leg Squats
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for Absorbing chop, popping, landing, ankle control in straps, general riding endurance
works Quads, gluts, shoulders, feet and ankles
how Start by standing on one leg holding medball at waist level. Squat down on one leg extending arms out to shoulder level.
located near & kiteboarding in historic Charleston, SC in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina serving
charleston, sc - myrtle
beach, sc - beaufort, sc - hilton head island, sc - savanah, ga - south
carolina lowcountry