Last weekend I was in for a treat. I was able to try out jetskiing for the first time! At first I was scared to get on the jetski because I thought it would tip me into Lake Michigan’s cool August waters. But with a lifevest and a little encouragement, soon I was zipping across the choppy water on my own, getting up to speeds of 50+ miles per hour!
Riding the waves of Lake Michigan with my sister
The thing that surprised me was how much of a workout it was. Everything from pushing the jetski away from the shore, climbing onto it, and driving it all contributed to a full body workout.
I had to use my core muscles to keep me steady, my arms to hold onto the handlebars, and my legs to keep me stable on the machine. I’m sure I also worked my core pretty good laughing so hard when my sister Kim and I went out together and hit some good air on those waves! We didn’t even wipe out once.
The next day or two, I was feeling muscles I didn’t realize I was using on my ride. This is one reason I really like trying new activities instead of always heading to the weight machines at the gym. Those machines are ok for isolating and working one specific muscle group, and they don’t really mimic any real life activities. When you get out and explore your world and try new things, you will engage your whole body, and maybe have some fun in the process!
Sometimes the strangest things can end up being a workout. Imagine how you feel a day or two after gardening, dancing, or raking leaves (you’re ready for that, right?). Delayed onset muscle soreness sets in and our muscles ache with that ‘good hurt’.
What activities do you do that are a great ‘surprise’ workout?
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