Toning your muscles
Keeping in shape whilst getting enjoyment out of it
Most of the strain is put on the upper body. As a matter of fact, paddling pull stroke and torso rotation strengthens arms, shoulders, back and pecs.
The abs and obliques are also greatly used, especially in the right paddling position, in other words with the torso slightly bent forward...
If paddling puts the lower parts of the body under less strain, they are nevertheless active when paddling, in particular, with leg work during strokes and feet to keep balance in the kayak and manoeuvring with thighs against the sides of the hull.~