While I know the best way to get into shape for seakayaking is to go
and do it, I am currently building the boat so that is still a little
out of the question. What things can I do at the gym or otherwise to
help guide a sedentary out of shape body into a less painful
experience in sea kayaking kayaking. I am 52, heavier than I like
but working on that very hard. The gym has the usual compliment of
machines; I am currently working on cardio the most since it seems
like I need it the most right now to build up wind and endurance.
Many years of sitting in a chair making topo maps takes it toll!

I am not planning any expeditions on the Georgia coast soon but that
is the goal eventually in late summer or so. Until then, lakes and
slow rivers and short trips in the sounds around Savannah will do when
the boat gets built.

Anyone got suggestions. Thanks
Steve

Concepts 2 Indoor rowing machine. Bought one 3 years ago as the New
England winter weather does not lend itself to sea kayaking. Aside
from the Klepper, the Concepts 2 is one of my better purchases. Not
inexpensive but worth every lost pound. I was 54 when I bought it for
the same reason you are looking now. Many health clubs have this
model row machine. Here is web site URL for company www.concepts.com.
Very glad I didn't waste money on health club membership and bought
row machine instead. While it doesn't mimic kayak paddling, you can
really get a tremendous workout and in my seaworthy opinion, it has
helped tremendously in my actual kayaking. Would suggest you check
with medical doc before any strenuous exercising especially for folks
over 50.
--
Big Island Bob

Here is correct URl - sorry about that -
www.concept2.com
--
Big Island Bob

I turned 40 this January and I also work at a mostly desk job. When I
started kayaking a few years ago it took way too much of the season to just
get into acceptable shape. I started working out for the next season with
mixed results. Then last spring I decided to get it together. I have a
multifunction cable machine and I used it at least 3 times a week for 10 to
50 min depending on my schedule (probably 25min avg). I used relatively low
weights and did the 10 second extend, 5 second hold, and 10 second return to
rest position. This gives a good workout and is kind to the joints. Just to
give an example, I used from 25 to 100 pounds depending on the exercise.
There is no need to go higher using the 10-5-10 method. On top of this I
went walking or hiking as often as I could. The hiking was in the hills of
Pennsylvania (For those not familiar - it's not mountains in the grand
sense, but hilly and steep enough for a very good cardio workout. For the
whitewater folks, the exact location of most of my hiking was at Ohiopyle on
the Yough river). This put me in very good shape (at least compared to the
past 10 years) for kayaking and I was very happy to be able to keep up with
people that I consider very strong kayakers.

On another note, what are you building. I'm about to order the Cirrus plans
from One Ocean. This also means that I will continue my workouts as I need
to meet the 250 lb paddle weight limit for this boat. (No, I'm not saying
how much that I have to go).

Ken

"Steven Laughmiller" wrote in message
...
While I know the best way to get into shape for seakayaking is to go
and do it, I am currently building the boat so that is still a little
out of the question. What things can I do at the gym or otherwise to
help guide a sedentary out of shape body into a less painful
experience in sea kayaking kayaking. I am 52, heavier than I like
but working on that very hard. The gym has the usual compliment of
machines; I am currently working on cardio the most since it seems
like I need it the most right now to build up wind and endurance.
Many years of sitting in a chair making topo maps takes it toll!

I am not planning any expeditions on the Georgia coast soon but that
is the goal eventually in late summer or so. Until then, lakes and
slow rivers and short trips in the sounds around Savannah will do when
the boat gets built.

Anyone got suggestions. Thanks
Steve

Thanks to all for your input. Some off topic but all informative and
welcome! Got the SeaKayaker article and it is a great place to start
which will happen this weekend. I joined a gym with the wife and
maybe we will influence each other; thankfully there is no contract to
the gym! They do have great equipment and for $19 a month, I need to
take advantage of it. They don't have a pool but I have one of those
so when spring comes around.... I am also going to try and find
someone in the Atlanta area that knows how to roll and teach and see
if they would like to come over and show me how to roll this boat in
my pool or teach a class in my pool or have a BBQ and rolling class
or something.

I am building a Cheasapeake 17. A very good learning experience. I
had hoped to keep a natural wood finish throughout but due to a little
too much ambitious sanding of the chines on the hull resulting in
irregular plywood plywood layer patterns showing, it will be a dark
navy blue or emerald green (haven't decided yet). The deck however
will be left natural and varnished. It should still be a pretty boat.
The next boat (BIG GRIN!!) will be a stripper hybrid! My wife will
probably get this one since she will not be going as often as I will
be (this boat doesn't have an outboard and a head! grin!) Since this
is a "learning boat", it is going to have a 750 gal per hour bilge
pump for the cockpit (draws 2 amps) running off a small 12 volt 7.5
amp gel cell in the aft storage area. I will also carry a manual
pump of course. It looks like the weight of the boat is going to
come in somewhere around 48-50 lbs before decklines, batteries, GPS,
solarpanels, radardome, sonar,etc. grin! my wife thinks I am a geek
for some reason!.

Actually, I have been looking at some rollup solarpanels for charging
batteries, since I have a handheld GPS with nautical charts for the
Georgia coast and area lakes, and a VHF radio as well as cell phone.
But all this I guess is for another topic.
Again, thanks for all the help and advice. I will keep you all posted
on progress on the boat, If anyone needs advice on maps or
mapmaking, please let me know. I have been making topo maps for about
20 years now.

Steve

Steven Laughmiller
S&S Mapping

770-722-8459

Check out the Sea Kayaker Oct 2004 edition and find there an article with a
weight training program for Kayakers. Article "Strength Training for Sea
Kayakers"
http://www.seakayakermag.com/
"Steven Laughmiller" wrote in message
...
While I know the best way to get into shape for seakayaking is to go
and do it, I am currently building the boat so that is still a little
out of the question. What things can I do at the gym or otherwise to
help guide a sedentary out of shape body into a less painful
experience in sea kayaking kayaking. I am 52, heavier than I like
but working on that very hard. The gym has the usual compliment of
machines; I am currently working on cardio the most since it seems
like I need it the most right now to build up wind and endurance.
Many years of sitting in a chair making topo maps takes it toll!

I am not planning any expeditions on the Georgia coast soon but that
is the goal eventually in late summer or so. Until then, lakes and
slow rivers and short trips in the sounds around Savannah will do when
the boat gets built.

Anyone got suggestions. Thanks
Steve