There are a number of ways gym based training can improve performance on the water:
1. Increased force on the water: By getting stronger we are able to apply more force to the water and make the most of your abilities.
2. Technique fundamentals: it’s not all about getting stronger. We can practice technique fundamentals in the gym to increase our neuromuscular connection and awareness of our technique. It’s it bit like extra practise to fast track technique improvement.
3. Reduced injury: We can insure we balance out our muscles. As paddlers our main paddling muscles become stronger and non paddling muscles don’t improve at the same relative rate. This causes imbalances in shoulders and hips that results in injuries. The gym is needed to correct these imbalances and reduce injury risk. Done right, your rotator cuff will be bulletproof.
4. Increased Neuromuscular activation. Getting stronger can be done two ways. Increased muscle size and increased muscle activation. Pure strength reps increase our ability to produce force by motor unit recruitment and increased ability to activate neuromuscular pathways. If we can produce more force we can make the boat go faster on the water.
5. Mobility. Mobility of the hips, spine and shoulders are also important in reducing injury risk.
6. Something different. The body responds to change if you haven’t done the gym before it’s a good way to induce a positive change into your training plan.
7. Side note. You still have to paddle, the gym supplements your paddling but cannot replace it.
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