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THE STRONG TABLE / KAYAKING & PADDLING

Kayaking & paddling
training guide.

Strength and trunk endurance for time on water.

5 SCIENCE-INFORMED READS5 COMPLETE SESSIONSNO ACCOUNT REQUIRED
Kayaking & paddling training context

Understand the game.

These five guides connect the sport's demands to practical strength, conditioning and recovery decisions.

01 / READ THE GAME

The demands of the sport

Paddling uses repeated upper-body pulling and trunk movement with prolonged seated effort.

READ THE GUIDE ↗02 / BUILD THE BASE

Strength that earns its place

Rows, hinges, carries and trunk work build general strength. In the weight room, use controlled repetitions and a range you can own before adding load.

READ THE GUIDE ↗03 / ENGINE ROOM

Conditioning without junk fatigue

Increase paddling distance gradually and use easy aerobic work.

READ THE GUIDE ↗04 / STAY AVAILABLE

Mobility and recovery that matter

Pallof press can be practiced slowly in a comfortable range. Press hands forward without letting the band turn you. Stop short of pain; extreme range is not the target.

READ THE GUIDE ↗05 / PUT IT TOGETHER

A week you can actually repeat

Two strength sessions and one progressively longer paddle or easy aerobic day.

READ THE GUIDE ↗

Choose a session.

Every workout lists its purpose, dose and movement guide. Skill practice and coaching remain part of sport preparation.

01 / 38 MIN / FULL BODY STRENGTH

Kayaking & paddling / Strength base

Rows, hinges, carries and trunk work build general strength.

OPEN SESSION +

Warm up for five minutes. Perform challenging sets with control, rest 60–120 seconds as needed, and adjust to your experience.

Chest-supported row — illustrative movement reference
Chest-supported row3 × 6–10Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Keep chest against the pad and row without swinging.
TECHNIQUE ↗Dumbbell Romanian deadlift — illustrative movement reference
Dumbbell Romanian deadlift3 × 8–10Hamstrings and posterior chain. Keep weights close and shift hips back with a long spine.
TECHNIQUE ↗One-arm dumbbell row — illustrative movement reference
One-arm dumbbell row2 × 8–12Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Brace your free hand and pull elbow toward the hip.
TECHNIQUE ↗Suitcase carry — illustrative movement reference
Suitcase carry2 × 8–12Abdominals, obliques and trunk stabilizers. Walk with one weight while keeping shoulders level.
TECHNIQUE ↗

Progress by adding a repetition or small amount of resistance while form and recovery remain steady.

02 / 27 MIN / BALANCE AND SIDE-TO-SIDE CAPACITY

Kayaking & paddling / Single-side control

Paddling uses repeated upper-body pulling and trunk movement with prolonged seated effort.

OPEN SESSION +

Warm up for five minutes. Perform challenging sets with control, rest 60–120 seconds as needed, and adjust to your experience.

Chest-supported row — illustrative movement reference
Chest-supported row2 × 8/sideLats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Keep chest against the pad and row without swinging.
TECHNIQUE ↗Pallof press — illustrative movement reference
Pallof press2 × 8/side or 25 secAbdominals, obliques and trunk stabilizers. Press hands forward without letting the band turn you.
TECHNIQUE ↗Dumbbell Romanian deadlift — illustrative movement reference
Dumbbell Romanian deadlift2 × 10Hamstrings and posterior chain. Keep weights close and shift hips back with a long spine.
TECHNIQUE ↗Stationary bike intervals — illustrative movement reference
Stationary bike intervals12–20 min easyHeart, lungs and working leg muscles. Alternate easy pedaling with repeatable moderate efforts.
TECHNIQUE ↗

Progress by adding a repetition or small amount of resistance while form and recovery remain steady.

03 / 32 MIN / PUSH, PULL AND TRUNK

Kayaking & paddling / Upper and trunk

Rows, hinges, carries and trunk work build general strength.

OPEN SESSION +

Warm up for five minutes. Perform challenging sets with control, rest 60–120 seconds as needed, and adjust to your experience.

One-arm dumbbell row — illustrative movement reference
One-arm dumbbell row3 × 8–12Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Brace your free hand and pull elbow toward the hip.
TECHNIQUE ↗Suitcase carry — illustrative movement reference
Suitcase carry3 × 8–12Abdominals, obliques and trunk stabilizers. Walk with one weight while keeping shoulders level.
TECHNIQUE ↗Pallof press — illustrative movement reference
Pallof press2 × 10/sideAbdominals, obliques and trunk stabilizers. Press hands forward without letting the band turn you.
TECHNIQUE ↗Chest-supported row — illustrative movement reference
Chest-supported row2 × 8Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Keep chest against the pad and row without swinging.
TECHNIQUE ↗

Progress by adding a repetition or small amount of resistance while form and recovery remain steady.

04 / 24 MIN / CONDITIONING

Kayaking & paddling / Repeatable engine

Increase paddling distance gradually and use easy aerobic work.

OPEN SESSION +

Warm up for five minutes. Perform challenging sets with control, rest 60–120 seconds as needed, and adjust to your experience.

Stationary bike intervals — illustrative movement reference
Stationary bike intervals5 min easy + 6 × 40 sec moderate / 80 sec easyHeart, lungs and working leg muscles. Alternate easy pedaling with repeatable moderate efforts.
TECHNIQUE ↗Chest-supported row — illustrative movement reference
Chest-supported row2 × 8 easyLats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Keep chest against the pad and row without swinging.
TECHNIQUE ↗Pallof press — illustrative movement reference
Pallof press2 × 8 easyAbdominals, obliques and trunk stabilizers. Press hands forward without letting the band turn you.
TECHNIQUE ↗

Progress by adding a repetition or small amount of resistance while form and recovery remain steady.

05 / 20 MIN / EASY MOVEMENT

Kayaking & paddling / Recovery reset

Watch shoulder and back fatigue when adding gym work to long paddles.

OPEN SESSION +

Warm up for five minutes. Perform challenging sets with control, rest 60–120 seconds as needed, and adjust to your experience.

Stationary bike intervals — illustrative movement reference
Stationary bike intervals10–15 min conversationalHeart, lungs and working leg muscles. Alternate easy pedaling with repeatable moderate efforts.
TECHNIQUE ↗Pallof press — illustrative movement reference
Pallof press1 × 6–8 comfortableAbdominals, obliques and trunk stabilizers. Press hands forward without letting the band turn you.
TECHNIQUE ↗Dumbbell Romanian deadlift — illustrative movement reference
Dumbbell Romanian deadlift1 × 8 lightHamstrings and posterior chain. Keep weights close and shift hips back with a long spine.
TECHNIQUE ↗

Progress by adding a repetition or small amount of resistance while form and recovery remain steady.

A WEEK THAT FITS

How to put it together.

Two strength sessions and one progressively longer paddle or easy aerobic day.

Watch shoulder and back fatigue when adding gym work to long paddles.

Explore more training →
MON Strength baseTUE Sport skill or easy aerobicWED Repeatable engine or easier dayTHU Upper and trunkFRI–SUN Play, recover and adjust
THE EVIDENCE BOUNDARY

General resistance training can improve strength and physical performance. The selected movements are practical applications to this sport's demands, not proof that any one drill uniquely prevents injury or guarantees a performance gain. Match the plan to your experience, season and health.

ACSM resistance training position stand (2026) ↗Resistance training and sport performance: systematic review (2024) ↗