Cardio, resistance training, and other workouts can get pretty dull and tedious. You don’t need to sweat it out at the gym just to stay fit. Sport is a fun and entertaining alternative to get fit and keep your body in good shape. With the right sport, you’ll never be bored and you’ll stay motivated to be active.
But what sport should you choose? Here are the best sports to take up if you want to get fit.
Cycling
There are a range of cycling events that take place throughout the year, many for charitable causes. Get involved by joining a cycling club – this is also a great opportunity to meet new people and have a good time. Cycling will increase your cardiovascular fitness, boost flexibility and muscle strength. It can even improve your brain function by building neurons and developing the hippocampus.
Cycling is a fantastic aerobic workout that works your leg muscles in particular. You can burn about 580 calories per hour by cycling at a moderate speed of 10mph. If you pedal faster you can burn around 1200 calories in an hour. You can even participate in mountain biking for a more advanced challenge.
Swimming
Swimming is a total body workout as it involves your legs, arms, and core. It is an excellent sport for heart health as well as burning a lot of calories and helping you to maintain a healthy body weight. Swimming can also improve lung capacity, as well as encouraging you to develop endurance and muscular strength, therefore making you feel more energized.
In swimming, your upper and lower body muscles work together and that’s why it is one of the best sports for getting fit. Furthermore, swimming doesn’t put any pressure on your joints, so you don’t need to worry about strain or injury. You’ll burn more than 500 calories in an hour by swimming at a moderate pace.
Cricket
When it comes to team sports, cricket is considered to be one of the best for fitness. As this sport involves running between the wickets as well as chasing after the ball in the field, you will lose a lot of calories. Playing cricket will also strengthen your muscles and improve your balance, as well as being good for cardiovascular health.
Tennis
It is possible to burn up to 600 calories an hour by playing tennis. This is because strong and fast movements like pivots, sprints, and slams require a lot of energy. Playing tennis can improve your arm strength and cardiovascular health. It works the major muscle groups and so helps you to stay fit.
Squash
Squash is one of the best sports for health and fitness. It helps to burn a lot of calories, develops strength, and boosts flexibility. It can also improve hand-eye coordination. Squash targets the muscles in your shoulders, arms, back, glutes, quads, and hamstrings while also working your core. Furthermore, you can vary the intensity of this sport to burn more calories.
Running
Unlike many other sports, there is no age limit to running. If you run regularly you reduce the chance of bone and muscle loss as you age. Instead, your bones will become stronger day by day. Additionally, running releases endorphins, boosting your mental health. If you are trying to find the motivation to run, then you can join a local sports club. These clubs organize various events that will keep you inspired and add a social element. Running is also a great sport to showcase some fashion with a wide range of women’s and men’s leggings and a heap of other on trend apparel.
Boxing
Boxing is a very popular sport for staying fit, as it helps to improve your posture, balance, alertness, and endurance. It is also good for your cardiovascular health, so your blood pressure and sugar levels will stay under control. When you practice boxing using a heavyweight bag you’ll lose between 400 and 700 calories in an hour. Boxing has mental and emotional benefits as well – it boosts self-esteem and confidence, while improving hand-eye coordination. Not to mention that taking out your frustrations on a punching bag can be a great stress reliever.
Water Polo
Water polo is a test of strength, speed, flexibility, and agility. It is a very physically demanding sport, so it is great for getting fit. In water polo, the added resistance of water provides extra health benefits. This results in more endurance, weight loss, better cardiovascular health, and improved strength. Water polo is also easy on the joints so there is less risk of injuries.
Basketball
To play basketball you need a lot of energy and that’s why it is one of the best sports for fitness. It builds endurance and improves coordination and balance. Playing basketball also develops bone strength and can help improve your cardiovascular health. When it comes to emotional wellbeing, basketball teaches you the importance of teamwork and can boost your confidence.
Sport is a wonderful way to improve your fitness and health. What’s more, if you are active there is less chance that you will suffer from depression, anxiety, or other mental issues. These sports can keep you motivated and you will enjoy a range of health benefits it over the long term.
Follow Us