In the sport of Fishing, battling giants and underwater torpedoes require strength. Despite endless benefits which includes and is not limited to exposure to nature, injecting confidence, patience, calm as well as building character; the physical aspect in sport fishing is not a workout enough to wholly count as a “healthy lifestyle”. For starters, strength is very important in Sport Fishing, without it- the best gears would mean nothing.
A recent need to rush, overcoming steps and uneven roads with heavy bags made me realise how unfit I truly was. How could that possibly be? I was fishing every weekend! The misconception that fishing alone is sufficient for fitness runs widespread in the minds of most anglers. In the wise words of Barbara Streisand and Donna Summers, enough is enough!
We teamed up with Emelda Vincent of Emelda Fitness who is also Malaysia’s first and only Nike NTC Master Trainer to incorporate a basic workout suitable for most anglers, strengthening muscles that are crucial when battling heavyweight fishes. In order for her to put together an ideal workout, we took her out to battle some giants of her own. Where else, but the Natural Exotic in Rawang!
As we struggle with grounding, hanging on to the Redtail’s merciless runs, Emelda maintained a stance that made the regular fishing technique look exquisite. Not only was she able to take control, she battled one Redtail after another…effortlessly, whilst we unglamorously gasped for air, needing breaks in between to recuperate. Emelda embraced the sport and it was time for us to gain insight on her fitness world. Our goal was to find a routine that did not compromise techniques of fishing, however one that worked around it.
As we embark on this journey with Emelda, towards a healthier angling US, we invite you to take part in it too. Did we mention, you do not need a gym membership and the routines can be done anywhere, at any time? Heading towards a healthier lifestyle does not need to be expensive, complicated or dreadful. Emelda has kindly started us off on a basic routine consisting of four sets to strengthen our core (what is our core?- explained later in this post).
Watch how Emelda fared in the Natural Exotic & how we did, trying our hands at the first basic routine she has laid out for us. Join us, gain strength and surprise your angling friends with a brand new angling you!
Emelda’s Fishing Experience
Fitness Fishing (The Workout)
The Workout
It is good to have some fruits, like Banana, or a slice of sandwich an hour before you start your workout. Begin by warming up with light jogging or dynamic stretching for 10 minutes.
Beginner Routine: 1 Set/ 10 – 15 Repetitions, 2-3 times a week
Advance Routine: 2-3 Sets/ 10 – 15 Repetitions, 2-3 times a week
SQUAT PRESS
Fitness Focus
Shoulders & Legs
Fishing Focus
Strength to cast, lift & battle as well as to maintain grounding
Posture
Feet- Hip width apart
Hands- Front of shoulders.
Weights
According to preference & ability of individual.
Breathing
Inhale when going down, exhale when coming up
Our Experience
If there is one exercise that most of us are familiar with, it is Squats- primarily because a simple step holds within it a lot of benefits… for our booty. When booty is involved, we definitely have at least heard of it. The small donut weights (1.25kg each) that I used were all that were available in terms of being light enough to match my fitness needs on that day. Immediately, my thighs were being worked out and mid-way through, my knees were trembling. How unfit was I? Extremely. The feeling of completing one full set, priceless. There was of course, more sets to come.
PUSH UP
Fitness Focus
Chest
Fishing Focus
Strengthening chest muscle that is normally strained during a battle due to the technique of lifting and reeling.
Posture
Knees – Hip width apart
Hands – Wider than shoulders.
Elbow & wrist makes a straight line- not in front of or behind shoulders.
Weights
None
Breathing
Inhale when going down, exhale when coming up
Our Experience
I must admit, starting out with the beginners push-up was rather crushing, after all, I could do 15 normal ones like a pro in school. Lets not count the years to how long ago that was, the 15 beginner push-ups were hell. Do not be fooled, indeed, it seemed like nothing yet my chest, shoulders and arms were feeling a burn. The left arm and chest more so the right as it was less worked out during fishing; I use left-hand retrieve reels , my right arm lifts and pumps the rod/fish, working the muscles along the way on every trip. How unbalanced my muscles were being worked was an uncomfortable reality to deal with; funny how even a beginner push-up routine was able to highlight that.
ROW & KICKBACK
Fitness Focus
Back & Triceps
Fishing Focus
Casting & posture during fish fight, to strengthen back and avoid strain over time.
Posture
Feet- Hip width apart
Knees – Bent slightly
Spine – Straight
Weight
According to preference & ability of individual.
Breathing
Inhale on Row & exhale on Kickback
Our Experience
At this point, my legs, chest, arms and balance were being tested just from completing the first two routines. I could feel my entire body shaking as we embark on the satisfyingly painful adventure called the Row & Kickback. Crucial for our backs when fishing, I know I am not the only one that get the severe aches after a good fishing trip- most anglers complain of the same too. Naturally, this routine hurts the back like a… I will not curse. I was in so much pain that completing the routine felt like an endless marathon, yet it felt so good too. The irony! Welcome to the world of “your back muscles are so screwed!”, despite the pain, the Row & Kickback is my most favourite in this entire routine, the benefits for me personally helps my posture by strengthening my back muscles to maintain a better balance whilst my arms are able to maintain a more professional technique during a battle. You go Row & Kickback!
PLANK KNEE TUCK
Fitness Focus
Core
Fishing Focus
Strength to cast, lift & battle as well as to maintain grounding
Posture
Feet- Hip width apart
Hands- Front of shoulders.
Weights
According to preference & ability of individual.
Breathing
Inhale when going down, exhale when coming up
Our Experience
It is not good to run away from your pain and troubles, unless you’re in the plank position doing a knee tuck. The routine ends in such a fun, brilliant way yet at the same time works our core which involves all muscles in our mid-section including the front, back and sides. It is said that most sports and physical activities depends on stable core muscles – certainly so for Sport Fishing too. If there was ever a fun way to “jog”, Plank Knee Tuck would be it once you’re able to speed it up. What I love the most about entering into this as someone that has got ZERO experience in fitness is the innocence in realising what an amazing difference it makes once your body is accustomed to the routine.
Fishing injects a sense of accomplishment on every successful trip, so does Fitness, on every successful attempt at pushing yourself. Merging them together for the first time feels more than organic and right. We continue to do these routines, discover more in the sport and look into how fitness can help us with it; most of all, we look forward to sharing them with you. Join us, share your improvements with us, and be a brand new angling you!
Who is Emelda Vincent?
Emelda’s achievement in Sports & Fitness are endless. Other than being a Malaysian national swimmer (years 89 – 97), I cannot even begin to list her 16 years of fitness industry achievements down as it would require an entire page to tell her story; and aren’t we glad she has one of her own! Today, Emelda is also a fitness trainer, and having worked with her on this Fitness Fishing series, her approach is kind and her support and drive makes you want to achieve. Inspirational, indeed she is, after all, she is Malaysia’s first and only NIKE NTC Master Trainer.
To contact and know more about Emelda, visit her website Emelda Fitness.
We would like to thank my dear friend Wany for introducing us to Emelda, listening to our crazy idea & supporting us to turn crazy into a reality.
The Milkfish Lady Official Website 