Exercises to help paddling stamina/strength

Since I started to going back to the gym a few weeks ago I have been concentrating on upper body strength to help with my paddling. I have pretty good stamina paddling as it is but it can always be improved. Are there any certain machines/exercises that you know of that will zone in on these important muscles.

And also, what muscles are used for paddling, Ive searched online before but haven't found anything specific. I have always been curious.

Jeff

Jeff,

Get the latest issue of Sea Kayaker and read the article on yoga for kayakers. It's claimed that a short effective warmup will significantly improve your performance on the water.

Here's a link to an online article from Sea Kayaker that discusses stroke technique:

http://www.seakayakermag.com/2003/03August/stroke01.htm

Best yet, get to a forward stroke class.

Regards,
Scott

what muscles are used for paddling,

mainly, your stomach muscles. Take a class cause it's all about technique.

I'd also add that the lower body is often overlooked in kayaking.
While not used extensively while paddling (other than bracing & balance, rudder pedals if equipped, etc),  your leg muscles do come into play during beach launches & landings, and while portaging (just ask anyone who has trekked up "the hill" at Elk).
Beach landings can be tough because you've often spent hours paddling, and then may have only a few seconds to get up & out of your boat, then drag it out of the surf zone before the next wave comes in. So your legs have to go from relative rest to high impact output (or 0 to 60) in only a short time.

For the upper body, the previous answers here are great advice.

Thanks for the tip on the SK article Scott, I'll go & try to find a copy.

When my wife and I bought our yaks last year and spent every weekend at Loch Lomond above Felton, we were very surprised at how much of a total body workout it is. Initially we both felt it most in calves, and core(abs). And we are both very fit, she's been doing jazzercise for 20+ years and I'm always doing physical stuff.

She has a Venus 11, and I have the Prowler13. Last season she used a 220cm paddle and was struggling to keep up. This spring I bought her a 230cm, now I'm chasing her! 

Rich

I think the exercises that help most with my kayaking, provided I paddle with correct form, are crunches are pull-ups.  Mix up the crunches with lots of side crunches, twisting crunches, etc... not fun at all (feel the burn), but effective.  Also, lots of stretching... lots and lots of stretching.

Military presses are helpful with loading and unloading my P-15 onto the top of my too-huge truck.