You already know longboarding is more than just cruising, but did you realize it’s also one of the best full-body workouts out there? Whether you’re carving hard, mastering slides, or pushing for miles, longboarding pushes your fitness in ways you might not expect. Let’s break down why it’s the workout you can’t ignore.
1. Full-body workout without the strain
Longboarding activates multiple muscle groups in a way that feels effortless. As you ride, your legs, core, and arms naturally work together to keep you stable and moving. It’s a low-impact exercise, so you get all the benefits of a workout without putting too much stress on your body. This lets you do longer sessions with less fatigue.
2. Improves your balance & coordination
Every time you shift your weight on the board, your balance and coordination get a tune-up. The constant need to adjust keeps your body sharp. Over time, you’ll notice smoother rides, quicker reactions, and more control. Longboarding builds those quick, precise movements that help you ride better and navigate tighter lines.
3. Low-impact exercise for your joints
Longboarding is easy on your joints, especially compared to high-impact activities like running. Pushing off is smooth (including skogging), and rolling and carving mostly involve smooth movement. You’re not slamming your knees, ankles, or hips every time you move. It lets you stay active without stressing your body.
4. Great for cardio and endurance
Riding long distances or cruising for a while gets your heart rate up and gives you a solid cardio session without making you feel like you’re sprinting. It’s the kind of cardio you can keep going without feeling worn out.
5. Builds core strength with every ride
Your core does a lot more work on a longboard than you might think. Every time you balance or carve, your abs, obliques, and lower back are all engaged. The constant adjustments help strengthen your core over time. You keep your center strong without needing crunches or planks.
6. Suitable for all fitness levels
Whether you’re bombing hills, pushing distance, freestyling, dancing, or simply cruising, longboarding can be as intense or chill as you want. It’s easy to tailor the ride to your fitness level, which makes it a versatile workout. If you’re looking for a challenge, push harder, pump, carve, or work on tricks. If you want to keep it mellow, just cruise and do mellow carving.
7. Easy to integrate into a daily routine
You don’t need to set aside an hour at the gym to get your longboarding workout in. It’s easy to weave into your everyday life. Ride to the store, cruise to work, hit the skatepark or pump track, or just take a break and hit the road for 20 minutes. It’s a workout that doesn’t feel like one, and that’s what makes it stick.
8. Relieves stress, boosts mental health
Longboarding is also good for your mind. There’s something about riding that just clears your head. The combination of physical activity, being outdoor, and focusing on your pushing or carving works wonders for your mental health. It’s a awesome way to unplug from everything, zone out, and relax.
9. Engages leg muscles for strength and stability
Your legs do most of the heavy lifting on a longboard. Whether you’re pushing off, pumping, or balancing during turns, your quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes are all firing. Over time, this builds serious strength and stability. It makes your legs stronger without needing to hit the weight room.
10. A calorie burner that challenges your limits
Longboarding, especially in demanding styles like freestyle, freeride, or long-distance pumping (LDP), push your body, burning serious calories as you maintain speed, control slides, or cover long distances. You’re constantly moving, engaging muscles, and expending energy. It’s a legit workout that rivals any intense fitness routine.
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Photos courtesy of Loaded Boards