Editor’s Note: This guide was created in collaboration with the Surf Strength Training Program, a mobile app and online program designed to improve your surfing through fitness, nutrition, movement, and recovery methods. Enter code THEINERTIA to save $30 for a limited time.
Modern life has an effect on our bodies. We’re designed to move; we’re built to run, to swim, to climb. We’re not built to sit in a car on our way to the office, then sit in the office for eight hours. Whether you’re a surfer or not, here are five easy tips to make your body just a little bit happier.
Are you breathing properly? Photo: Shutterstock
1. Breathe.
Whether you look at it from a meditative standpoint, relaxation, or its effects on core function and spinal stability, proper diaphragmatic breathing is important. From stress, injury, and lifestyle, a large majority of people don’t breathe efficiently these days.
Deep squat joint mobility is a good thing. Get it! Photo: Shutterstock
2. Squat.
As long as you have no serious orthopedic issues, take time to regain, or improving on your ability to engage in deep squats. Surfing requires dynamic flexibility through the body and from pain prevention, to general strength, and your overall movement on top of your board, deep squat joint mobility is a good thing to have.
A long muscle is a strong muscle. Photo: Shutterstock
3. Stretch.
The postures and sedentary lifestyles of modern life change the way your body can move, and not for the better. The hips and shoulders are two key areas of movement that typically lose proper range of motion due to modern life. To combat this, spend a few minutes several days per week performing some type of specific stretches or tissue release around these joints.
We should eat food that’s, well… FOOD. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Eat Well.
Pay attention to your food. Modern diets can have drastically negative effects on the human system. If you care about your health, your ability to be active, and have a desire to improve your performance, focus on a whole foods based diet. This whole foods approach can differ from person to person, depending on current health issues, digestive system health, athletic goals, and even genetics.
Getting barreled is healthy. How great is that? Photo: Shutterstock
5. Move.
Your body is designed for movement, so challenge it to improve the way your body interacts with the world. You can pick any fun activity, from surfing, Jiu-jitsu, dancing, martial arts, gymnastics, skateboarding, and rock climbing, to hiking, and more.
