Not really sailed for 6 months due to injury but I've got the all clear now and had a cracking sail yesterday.  It was great to be back in the 12 again (even if I did stick it's on it's nose!) and physically that was fine for me, however I also had a blast in a 300 (great boat) but being non-skiffy I really struggled with upper body strength (er, getting on the board!) and had really weedy grip strength...hands hurt like hell today!

I do a lot of cycling (well as much as I can until the days get longer) so legs and CV should not be a problem, what's the best way to sort the top half out...without the aid of a boring gym!

And for grip, is a PowerBall better or the more traditional springy things that look like pliers with the jaws missing?

I used a powerball for a few months last Winter...

I have a pretty strong grip anyway, but wanted that bit more. However, I stopped using it after my left wrist started to develop stabbing pains when pulling/pushing things at certain angles - my tiller extension being notably painful!

I asked this question of a fitness fanatic friend a few years back, and his answer was that pressups are just about the best thing to do, nice and simple, dont need a gym and will improve upper body strength no end.

If you have an indoor climbing wall nearby then give a bit of bouldering / indoor rock climbing a go. 

Its a great sport and really good for improving the upper body and the strength of your grip.  More intersting than a gym and it is also great to have a hobby that doesn't rely on the weather!

Cool, thanks for the advice guys.  Sounds like press ups is the way to go then!

Joy...

Push ups will improve your ability to push. Sailing mostly involves pulling. Muscles do very specific things.

I'd agree with the people saying "climbing" as the muscle groups used are pretty similar to those in sailing.

I thought his original question said he had difficulty getting up onto the board? I would have thought push ups would have been helpful here, but I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong.

However climbing is also going to be more fun, with a good personal.

how about a bit of surfing? iv been really getting into my surfing in the last month and noticed my arms and back are much stronger than they used to be. the 300 doesnt have very high sheet loads though.

in my mind the best kind of excercise is doing sport. its more interesting and so you work harder. going to the gym and keeping up the motivation is difficult.

pressups and chinups whilst watching the news/whatever boring documentary parents have on tele in the evening works for me. And windsurfing seems to have done some good as well.

Done

Try using a big elastic band or cycle inner tube as a resistance.

You can hook it around your foot or chair leg while watching the telly. Great for forearms, wrists etc.

Neat, simple survey alan.fuller - Look forward to seeing the results.

TT - Who's Keeley Hazell?   - Ah! Just Googled her... It's THAT Keeley!  I was shocked to discover that I have the makings of a keelboat sailor. Not good.

Iain

You can come over and mix up some sand/cement for me. Shovelling a couple of tons of ballast should sort you out.

Thanks for the results alan.

Interesting to see that 39 sailors dropped out before the end - I guess that they started, but quickly realised that they weren't going to win - Just like a typical race!