Want to get yourself fitter and ready for that all important surfing holiday?  Even if you are land locked there are still a wide variety of sports that can help you to not only get fitter, but can also improve your surfing ability when you finally get to those waves.  Here are our top 5 favourite cross training sports for you to try...
 
Yoga/Pilates



Developing your strength, balance and flexibility is key when you want to first learn to surf or improve your surfing technique. Yoga and Pilates will improve your strength for paddling and pop ups, balance for better rides once you're up, and flexibility to lower the risk of injury.
 
Swimming
 

 
An obvious choice, but the more you are in the water, whether that's your local swimming pool or the sea, the better. Swimming, especially frontcrawl, will help you develop the muscles needed to paddle into waves, and of course swimming is a great cardiovascular- helping to burn excess blubber from one too many slices of pizza at the weekend.
 
Running



Your general level of fitness and energy will really show in the surf.  To help you to improve your confidence in the water, explore your body's ability to move, to build up stamina and to release short burst of energy, through running.  Just be careful to find a healthy balance to how often or far you run, and invest in good running trainers.
 
Circuits



For a structured class environment where you know that you will improve your strength, stamina and general fitness levels, circuits is perfect.  Make sure you keep it interesting by trying different classes to keep your motivation up.

Breakdancing/Capoeira



Pure fun- you will hardly know that you're working out.  Breakdancing and Brazilian Capoeira not only have you sweating from the cardio involved, but will build your core strength, flexibility and improvisational techniques- ideal for the ever changing waves you'll be surfing.

Here's a little Capoeira inspiration for your day, tune in at 50secs to see why Capoeira is such a good work out.