Summer Must-Do: Paddleboard Pilates and Yoga

Paddleboard yoga photo via Cape Ann SUP Facebook.

From Plymouth to Duxbury to Boston to Cape Ann, paddleboarding is the must-try workout of the summer. It’s so fun that you won’t even realize that you are, in fact, working out—and burning up to 500 calories an hour. Here in Boston, you can try it on the Charles River, at Castle Island, along Fort Point Channel, and in Boston Harbor, so if you haven’t tried it already, there are really no excuses. You won’t find a more fun workout this summer than a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) session. And you don’t even have to stand up. Many people stay on their knees their first time out, but we swear, it’s a lot easier than it looks. You’ll work your core, arms, and legs, and improve balance all while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells (the Harbor is clean now, remember that) of the water. There is even night paddleboarding with lighted boards. Then, we found the paddleboarding Holy Grail, something we thought only existed in California and Florida: paddleboard yoga and Pilates.

Paddleboard yoga photo via Cape Ann SUP Facebook.

At Cape Ann SUP in Gloucester (they also have an Essex location) they offer SUP yoga classes and night SUP outings. The yoga classes are about 90 minutes long and include your board, paddle, leash, and guided yoga instruction. Classes are Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. Prices are $30 per class, or $25 per class if you buy a five pack of classes or have your own board.

Sunset SUP yoga photo via Cape Ann SUP facebook.

Want to try night paddleboarding? Cape Ann SUP has these amazing boards that light up.

Night SUP photo via Facebook

Pilates fan? By Land and Sea Stand Up Paddle founder Jill Link created her Paddle Pilates class as a fusion between SUP and Pilates. Classes are offered at Fort Point Pier, Castle Island, and on the Charles River by the Esplanade. It’s flat water so you don’t have to worry about waves or being anchored, and classes incorporate Pilates poses in conjunction with stability and core training.  It’s $35 including the board and paddle or $30 if you have your own. Classes are held Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Paddleboarding on the Charles. Photo via By Land and Sea stand Up Paddle Facebook

Link also created a SUP Fit class which incorporates dry land circuit training with on water stand up paddling. It’s 30 minutes of dry land circuit training consisting of numerous stations involving kettlebells, medicine balls, jump ropes, resistance bands, and mats, followed by paddleboarding for the ultimate two in one workout. Classes are $35 with board and paddle rental or $30 if you have your own. Class times are Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m.

Paddleboarding on the waterfront in Boston. Photo via Facebook