Do you consider kayak fishing to be exercising?

[Angry John]

If your paddling or peddling yes.  If your using powered propulsion no.  I usually peddle in to my spot in 30 minutes or so, and just work my way around.  It's not a race but the wind will determine your level of exertion.

[schplurg]

On 11/24/2021 at 8:54 AM, flyfisher said:

Kayak fishing is more "exercise" than bank fishing but I wouldn't call it exercise.  I guess if you had long paddles every trip out and were keeping a higher heart rate for 20 minutes or so it could be exercise but in your normal kayak fishing, I wouldn't call it exercise.

 

I'll give a different perspective. Week or so ago I hiked and fished along a creek for 5-6 miles. Some of it was on trails too but most was tramping through brush and climbing around. If I do the same distance on the yak my legs get a bit of a workout but that's it. Hiking like that I was dead tired limping back to the van. It's more than just the legs working I think.

 

Depends on how one bank fishes though. I like to make it a little adventure.

 

I don't think you need to get the heart rate going for any length of time to get a workout on the legs and body from climbing around like that, and my legs definitely feel it when I'm done pedaling the yak. 

[flyfisher]

26 minutes ago, schplurg said:

 

I'll give a different perspective. Week or so ago I hiked and fished along a creek for 5-6 miles. Some of it was on trails too but most was tramping through brush and climbing around. If I do the same distance on the yak my legs get a bit of a workout but that's it. Hiking like that I was dead tired limping back to the van. It's more than just the legs working I think.

 

Depends on how one bank fishes though. I like to make it a little adventure.

 

I don't think you need to get the heart rate going for any length of time to get a workout on the legs and body from climbing around like that, and my legs definitely feel it when I'm done pedaling the yak. 

Yeah I wasn't counting creek fishing in bank fishing, more of the pond variety.  I agree that when I go chase brookies in the mountains I am doing as much hiking as I am fishing and that could be deemed more of a workout.  As far as pedaling goes, sure it can be until you build up some endurance.  Back when I was figuring out if I wanted to get a pedal or paddle kayak, I was able to use a pedal kayak for a day.  Being a cyclist my legs didn't feel any difference.  I guess the moral of the story is that it all depends on your fitness level.

As far as getting the heart rate up for a certain period of time it is generally advised to be in about 70-85% of your max heart rate for a minimum of 15-20 minutes and ideally 30-45 to be called exercise.  Sure anytime your heart rate is up is better than none but you aren't really doing much good if you raise your heart rate for short periods of time.  I know for cycling, or any endurance sport really, you want to start your riding season by building up the base and keeping your heart rate in the lower end of the range for as long as possible and try not to peak.  If you do this for your first month or so of riding you will see that your heart rate improves and that target range is higher than it was originally.  The heart is like anything else in the body and it needs to be worked and in the right fashion to gain true results.  

[the reel ess]

On 11/24/2021 at 11:53 AM, Bankc said:

It's work.  But I wouldn't consider it exercise.  To me, exercise is something that gets your heart rate up.  

  

Try to catch a few fish in a stiff breeze.