Staying active is an important element of our wellbeing. As the saying goes, “fit body, fit mind”. There are so many sports out there, and choosing the right sport for you can be challenging. Some people like team sports. Others prefer individual sports. Some people prefer sports that involve hand eye coordination and others prefer balance based sports.
In this post we look at 5 wonderful sports that you can take up this summer to improve your health and fitness.
Cycling
Cycling is an excellent sport for cardio, and unlike running, allows one to cover some serious distances. Cycling is a healthy, low-impact sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Why not try and cycle to work this summer? It will improve your health and fitness and save you money.
Unlike running, cycling is a low impact sport causing minimal strain on the joints. It’s also excellent for building strong leg muscles. Just look at professional cyclist, Chris Hoys, legs. It’s also a great way to get fit rather quickly.
Cycling can be a relatively expensive sport to get involved in due to the amount of equipment needed – bike, shoes, helmet, cycling shorts and top, pump etc. We advise either renting a bike to begin with to see if you actually like the sport or buying a second-hand bike. If you do end up enjoying the sport, then you can always upgrade to a newer, higher spec bike.
Surfing
Surfing is an incredible sport for overall fitness and wellbeing. It helps one develop very strong breath, aids in developing a strong core, and promotes effective cardiovascular fitness. What also makes surfing appealing is that it can be done in idyllic locations and under the warmth of the sun. You can top up on your vitamin D intake whilst getting fit.
Surfing can be quite a difficult sport to learn and taking lessons is advisable. There are also some good online resources for beginner surfers. We advise finding a surf school near you or booking a surf camp for your next holiday as it will take at least 5-7 days of consistent lessons to be able to pick up this sport.
The good news is that surfing has made some rather large advancements on the equipment front over the last decade. Firstly, surfing wetsuits are now much better quality than they used to be 5-10 years ago. Secondly, most beginner surfboards are now made of foam which allows for both a safer surfing environment and an easier time standing up on the board.
Water aerobics
Some people laugh when they hear the words “water aerobics” uttered. “Surely, you can’t be serious”, they say. Contrary to popular belief water aerobics is an incredibly effective sports for all things cardio related.
Water aerobics is usually practiced in a shallower part of a pool where participants can stand. The water is usually waist deep. The classes focus on aerobic endurance and resistance and are normally carried in time to music which help create a vibrant atmosphere.
The benefits of water aerobics include building up muscle in both the shoulders, arms, legs and core. It increases flexibility. It lowers a person’s stress levels and can help people that suffer from anxiety. Because it is practiced in water, it’s a low impact exercise making it an ideal sport for people looking for rehabilitation exercises post injury.
