One of the best things about living in the 21st century is being able to use modern technology! So many cool new things that were merely figments of imagination before and weren’t even possible have now turned into a reality.
The popular sci-fi classic “Back to the Future” intrigued the viewers with the concept of a hovering skate board or perhaps a hoverboard and we haven’t been able to forget about it since then. Our patience has been fruitful because we are living in a time and age where we can set off into the air with nothing but propulsion beneath out feet and water to serve as the safety net. It has been long awaited. It is the hip new thing everyone is talking about. It’s here. It’s fun, and it’s called the flyboard (also known as water jet board)!
Flyboard is the closest we have come to Back to the Future’s hovering board concept. Plus, if you trip, you won’t be met with the hard asphalt beneath you and receive injuries. Flyboards are used over lakes and sometimes seas, so in case you experience a bit of a learning curve during your first go at the flyboard, you can just dive into the water. This only adds to the fun! Pros even dive in and out like a dolphin, but it’ll take some practice before you master the flyboard.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you need to try out the flyboard:
It’s fun, and it’s safe: The flyboard is the cool new watersport everyone is talking about. Despite its rather extreme aura, people of all ages can try it out. There’s nothing quite like being able to navigate in nothing but thin air using only your movements, which is why it’s a must have on your bucket list if you haven’t marked it already. You will be accompanied by your trainer, so you don’t have to be worried about any operational complications. Once you get a grip, you can even buy your own flyboard.
- It’s an exercise: Those you who haven’t been on a flyboard might imagine it to be something you stand on idol while it takes you around. You do stand on it, but it is a calorie consuming activity. Three essential factors determine how many calories you burn on the flyboard. They are: the duration you spend on the flyboard, your weight, and your age. In fact, if you’ve been snowboarding and surfing before, you know it’s much more than standing. Flyboarding feels similar to surfing or snowboarding, and you might gain a good control on it if you have been practicing either one of those activities before.
- It’s a muscle workout: Most of the work done while you are on the flyboard is from your core abdomen and legs to maintain the proper posture and balance yourself out. So, every time you have a go at the flyboard, you will be working out your core and legs! In fact, it is recommended to exercise your core so as to facilitate the right posture and thereby, reducing the strain on the lower back. Additionally, strong abdominal muscles mean you can distribute your upper body weight evenly on the flyboard with relative ease. It’s all about the maintaining balance and you can’t do that without working those abdominal and leg muscles.
- You’ll get your share of Vitamin D: Flyboarding is an outdoor activity that is carried out in open lakes and other water bodies, which means a decent sun exposure to the sun. Vitamin D is one essential micronutrient that we depend on the sun for. To point out some of the functions of Vitamin D, it facilitates phosphorus and calcium absorption, it plays a role in normal immune system function, it reduces acne, stimulates the production of collagen, promotes elasticity and reduces the occurrence of dark spots on your skin. Flyboarding is a great way to get your essential dose of natural Vitamin D while having the time of your life!
- The Adrenaline rush: For those of you who like the thrill of the adrenaline rush, you will not be disappointed by the flyboard experience whatsoever. Adrenaline is the fight or flight hormone in the body that prepares the body by increasing the blood flow to the muscles, dilating pupils for better vision, gives instant energy by providing glucose to muscles, dilates the air passage in the lungs for increase oxygen supple and respiration and alters the metabolism to maximize blood glucose primarily for the brain. These instantaneous super human effects of adrenaline release are what thrill seekers crave the most and the flyboard will deliver nothing less than that.
- It reduces stress: There have been studies showing that spending some time by the sea side or the beach can actually decrease the risk of depression and reduce anxiety levels. But, we don’t really need scientific papers to know that, do we? One trip to the beach is all it takes one to know how it’s an excellent way to unwind. Flyboarding is a variant of this and decreases stress, anxiety and risk of depression in a thrilling, fun filled way. While you hover around, making your way inside and out of the water, you will leave behind all your worries and indulge into the refreshing water sport of flyboarding.
- It clears your lungs: Beside the adrenaline induced bronchodilation, flyboarding has another health benefit specifically for the lungs. Studies have shown that exposure to sea water and ocean air can help you improve your lung function and clear them out. The subjects in study were exposed to the ocean air and were found to have improved lung function, reduced sinus related congestion and experienced ease in breathing. In fact, sea water exposure has also been linked with helping the management of cystic fibrosis (a genetic disorder) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- It may even heal your skin: Sea salt has been shown to relieve dry and itchy skin. It can even be used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. This is possible because sea salt has the ability to open up your skin pores, improve blood circulation and hydrate the epidermal tissue. So, after a long session on the flyboard, your skin might actually feel softer, supple and fresher to touch.