Kayaking spices up regular workouts

WTHR.com is the news leader for Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Get the best news, weather, sports and traffic information from Channel 13.

Dave Patania/Eyewitness News

Working out doesn't just have to mean going to the gym, riding a treadmill or lifting weights. It's a common misconception, and many people may not consider one sport that offers many opportunities for getting a great workout. 

Kayaking doesn't require much leg work, which is where most of the blood flow goes, and it actually works a lot of different muscles.

"I think a lot of people think it's just the arms," Ron Lewis, Rusted Moon Outfitters, said. "But really we're working the abs, we're working the obliques and the back as well. There is a lot of balance involved, and the inherent benefits that go with that."

A neighborhood pond, lake or the White River offer great opportunities for kayaking. Lewis said that kayaking is a very easy sport to learn, and there are lessons available for those who feel anxiety about getting out into the water.

The shortest, widest kayaks are the most basic. As people get more comfortable, they may choose the longer, thinner styles. Rusted Moon Outfitters allows people to come by and test kayaks to find the ones that fit them best, and even rent them for a weekend.

For more information, click here.