Another tip for lake activities is don\u2019t invest in something you can\u2019t logically pursue. For example, if you tend to take the bus to the lake because you don\u2019t drive, you should get an inflatable paddle board, not a regular heavy one. (The same goes for kayaks.)<\/p>\n
Most lake activities can also be done in other bodies of water. Lakes are generally calmer than the ocean, however, and safer for beginners.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s great for your mental health to spend time outdoors and be in nature. It\u2019s even better for your health to be active while you\u2019re enjoying nature.<\/p>\n
Below are some of the top lake activities that allow you to get exercise outdoors, and stay active while you enjoy the scenery.<\/p>\n Those who love to kayak have many options. You can buy a real kayak if you have the ability to transport it, which typically includes being strong and able-bodied as well as having a roof rack on your car.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can buy an inflatable kayak, which is my personal favorite. It doubles as a floating device to rest and float in the water when you need a break. The inflatable edges of the kayak are quite comfortable to rest your head on, and this allows you to get some of that serene lake floating<\/a> experience as well. It\u2019s also much easier to transport than a regular kayak, since it deflates.<\/p>\n Another option is to go somewhere local to you that rents kayaks right there near the water. Kayaking is one of the most popular lake activities, so you might want to look up if anywhere near you rents kayaks. It\u2019s typically quite affordable, as you just rent them by the hour. This way, you can get a fantastic arm and core workout out in nature.<\/p>\n There are single kayaks if you enjoy peacefully kayaking alone. There are also double kayaks if you prefer to share a kayak with your partner or with a friend.<\/p>\n If you want to bring your family along for lake activities, you might prefer canoeing over kayaking. Canoes are, of course, bigger. They can fit your family members, and you can get more than one paddle so that others in the canoe can help paddle, and everyone can get exercise.<\/p>\n Similar to how many places rent kayaks, many lakes have a station where you can rent canoes by the hour, as well. This is mostly an arm workout<\/a>, but paddling engages the core as well.<\/p>\n Canoeing is one of the most casual and fun lake activities.<\/p>\n Rowing, however, is a sport where the paddlers have to propel the row-boat in a backward direction, and this is referred to as rowing instead of paddling. When canoeing, you can casually paddle the canoe in the direction you\u2019re sitting, and it\u2019s not a competitive sport, it\u2019s just a water activity.<\/p>\n If you and your family own a canoe and want to start a \u2018rowing team\u2019 for fun, note that it is possible to set up your canoe for rowing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stand up paddle boarding (also known as SUP) is a popular and easy-to-learn water activity that can be done in lakes, small bodies of water, or even in the ocean.<\/p>\n The board might remind you of a surfboard, but with a stand up paddle board, it\u2019s larger for better balance and you\u2019re standing on it while holding a paddle.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re standing on the board, you\u2019ll paddle yourself around the water. Some people who aren\u2019t comfortable standing yet will simply kneel on the board and paddle around that way.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/content_images_assets.prenetics.com_blog.circledna.com_wp-content_uploads_2022_09_24031359_kayak-5543935_1920-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nKayaking<\/h2>\n
Canoeing or Rowing<\/h2>\n
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding<\/h2>\n