What Muscles Does Longboarding Work?

It’s no secret that longboarding is more popular than ever, and that’s because of how fun it is. Not only is longboarding a blast, but it’s also a great workout. So, what muscles does longboarding work?

Longboarding can work muscles such as your calves, front quadriceps, and abdomen. You can also work your biceps and triceps, but only if you do tricks such as street plants. Longboarding typically burns between 4 and 7 calories per minute, so it’s a great way to lose weight if you engage your core and push as much as possible.

With that said, you need to combine a good diet and additional exercise with longboarding to lose weight. Be careful if you longboard the day after leg day because your calves may need additional rest. Follow along as we explore what muscles longboarding works and highlight how you can get the best results.

Is Longboarding Good Exercise?

Longboarding is good exercise and it is a great way to burn calories. It is a great way to gain strength in your legs and core. Factors such as the train, your speed, and how hard you push ultimately determine how rigorous longboarding can be.

For example, you won’t get too much exercise if you cruise downhill on a longboard. However, you will get great results if you longboard for 20-30 minutes and push frequently. Shift your weight and engage your core while longboarding to get as much exercise as possible.

Most types of longboarding are great exercise, the ones where you push a lot will definitely be better exercise.

How Many Calories Do You Burn Longboarding?

You can burn up to 7 calories per minute or more depending on how much you push. On the low end, you will burn at least 4 calories per minute in the average longboarding session. You can burn 210 calories if you longboard for 30 minutes.

However, you can burn more calories if you push frequently and challenge yourself to ride at an incline. Another way to burn as many calories as possible is to wear a weighted vest while longboarding.

Is Longboarding Good for Losing Weight?

Longboarding is a good way to lose weight, but it’s best when combined with other forms of exercise. You only burn 120-210 calories per 30-minute longboarding session, on average. Typically, you need to burn at least 500 calories per day for a week to lose 1 pound.

This will take a long time if you strictly rely on longboarding. Extensive longboarding sessions paired with a good diet and other forms of exercise can help you lose the most weight possible. The best way to lose weight while longboarding is to ride for 20-30 minutes and walk back to your original location. This will give you a more dynamic workout which is essential for losing weight.

Does Longboarding Build Muscle?

Longboarding can help build muscle, particularly in your legs. You are most likely to see gains in your calves. Everything from your stance to pumping and pushing engages your calves when longboarding. Pump and push as much as possible while consistently shifting your weight to build the most muscle in your legs. Consume at least 15-20 grams of protein after longboarding to support muscle growth.

What Muscles Does Longboarding Work?

Your calves are the primary muscles that longboarding works. Almost all of your movement is generated by your calves. It starts when you push, but you continue to engage your calves as your pump and turn.

Longboarding can also target your front quadriceps, particularly in your leg that rests on the front of the board. It’s also common to see results in your abdomen if you longboard frequently. However, you will only work your abdomen if you engage it and periodically shift your stance from squatting to standing.

You may be curious about skateboarding too, don’t worry read our “What Muscles Does Skateboarding Work?” article for more skateboard specific answers.

Does Longboarding Improve Mental Health?

Longboarding is a great way to improve mental health between exercise and sunlight. Sunlight has been proven to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. The University of California conducted a study showing that skateboarding and longboarding both improve mental health.

Longboarding is a great form of physical exercise, and it releases endorphins. The endorphins that you release while longboarding can work wonders in making you feel happy and alleviating stress.

Do You Work Your Arms Longboarding?

You can work your arms longboarding if you perform certain tricks. Classic skateboarding and longboarding tricks suck as street plants can engage your upper body including your arms. You balance your body weight on a single arm when you perform a street plant.

Other tricks, such as a boneless, also engage your arms, albeit not for a long time. A boneless is a trick where you plant one foot on the ground and grab your longboard as an alternative to an ollie. Otherwise, longboarding primarily works your core and arms.

Does Longboarding Build Abs?

Longboarding can build abs eventually, especially if you engage your core. It’s smart to engage your core when longboarding because it can give you more stability and control while rolling. This can also help you burn more calories and build your abs.

Keep a sturdy stance with your front foot behind the front truck and your back foot on the back foot or tail. From there, simply clench your abdomen as you longboard. Avoid downhill longboarding if you want to build abs because it isn’t as intense of a workout.

Should You Longboard After Leg Day at the Gym?

Exercise caution if you longboard after leg day at the gym. You can longboard after working your legs, but it may hinder muscle growth in some cases. It’s generally recommended that you take 2-3 days of rest after a rigorous leg day at the gym.

This rest period helps your legs recover and build muscle. However, you won’t likely run into any problems if you casually cruise without pushing too much or riding uphill or downhill.

Is Longboarding Hard on Your Body?

Longboarding can be hard on your body over time, especially if you frequently practice tricks. Falling and slamming on the pavement is a part of skateboarding and longboarding, and it can take its toll. This becomes less common once you gain experience, but it can still happen. That’s why it’s important to wear protective gear such as knee and elbow pads and a helmet.

You may experience some joint paint if you are a regular longboarder, particularly in your knees. Feet soreness and injuries are also common, especially if you don’t wear skate shoes. Granted, longboarding is less trick-oriented than skateboarding so injuries are less common. Longboarding can also work your core, legs, and even your arms, so it has many benefits as well.