While running or hitting the gym are both great ways to stay in shape, they have a strong tendency towards becoming a bit monotonous after a while. If you want to change up your exercise routine, you may want to consider looking in to team sports? They can add some excitement into your fitness routine and can also help to develop your coordination – which is difficult to do when you are pounding the pavement or lifting weights. You’ll also get to meet fellow athletes, build friendships and learn from what other people are doing to keep themselves in good shape.
Basketball is a really great choice for adults looking to get involved. You can play it outdoors in the summer and indoors in the winter – and you don’t need much equipment. As long as you have a good pair of shoes, a basketball and access to a basketball court, then you are in business. Finding a basketball court is relatively easy; in fact, you should be able to arrange with a local school in your area to get access to a court, and there are often also other community facilities available. If you are fortunate, you may even find one with a high-performance synthetic surface – these give you incredible grip for maneuvering and are easier on your joints than playing on concrete or asphalt.
Basketball offers a superb cardiovascular workout and burns up tons of calories, if you do it right. If you play an energetic game, you can burn through 580 and 870 calories an hour, depending on how much weight you carry. That’s similar to the amount of calories burned in a 5 mile run. And it’s more than you burn with other strenuous activities such as cross-country skiing.
The stopping, starting, turning, running and jumping makes basketball a superb way to build endurance, leg strength, upper body strength, balance and coordination, and stamina.
Be sure to take things slow as you get started, since it is relatively easy to get injured while playing. Train wisely making sure to build strength off the court. Strong muscles will serve as body armor, letting you bounce off a competing player rather than getting hurt by the impact.
