The crave for fitness takes to the water

The wide boards used for paddling around lakes make the perfect platform for a core workout.

The fitness craze of exercising while balancing in the water on a stand up paddle board is taking off in Lake Country. The new fitness classes, led by Sarah Fraser of Crave Fitness, appeal to both men and women alike.

The fitness craze of exercising while balancing in the water on a stand up paddle board is taking off in Lake Country. The new fitness classes, led by Sarah Fraser of Crave Fitness, appeal to both men and women alike.

Sarah Fraser, of Crave Fitness, has brought the latest summer shape up routine to Lake Country—stand up paddle board fitness.

The wide boards used for paddling around lakes make the perfect platform for a core workout.  The classes have proven wildly popular in cities with ready access to water, and Lake Country has the perfect location to try out the fitness craze.

Stand up paddle

boarding has seen a marked increase in popularity in recent years, in part because celebrities on vacation can be routinely seen participating in the sport. It is easy to learn, but takes some practise to master standing on the board as it moves through the water.

Fraser’s classes take advantage of the board’s wide surface with yoga, push-ups and a light ab workout to increase personal core stability.

“It is incredibly tough to do the exercises on the unstable board in the water, but the worst thing that happens is you fall in the lake,” she said. “We have people of all different fitness levels come out and try it and every one tends to pick it up quite fast.”

Fraser is hosting the classes Monday and Thursday evenings at the north end of Wood Lake across from the Oyama General Store, with boards from Seca Marine.

Call ahead to check drop-in availability with Fraser at 250-575-8292.

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