We all know the benefits of exercise and how it can improve our health and overall quality of life. Yet, we all make excuses for why we don’t have time or can’t get motivated enough to start moving our bodies.
Working out can be a challenging task, especially if you’re at the gym fighting for a spot for your equipment or at home giving yourself your 5th pep-talk as to why you should work out today.
Sports, on the other hand, are an excellent way to increase your physical fitness. You’ll have other people to hold you accountable if you join a team or club, which means you’ll be more driven to work out.
Without further ado, here are six great sports you can try that will benefit your health and even your mental wellbeing.
1. Boxing
Boxing isn’t immediately apparent as one of the healthiest sports, but it’s becoming a more popular way to stay in shape.
It enhances your hand-eye coordination, increases your strength, improves your balance, improves your posture, promotes awareness, boosts endurance, and improves your attentiveness.
Boxing also promotes heart health since it incorporates high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which has been associated with a decreased risk of heart disease.
You can participate in either solo or group classes to learn how to box correctly and then continue at home in your garage or garden with your punching bag.
2. Rugby
Rugby is generally seen as a male-dominated sport; however, there are multiple benefits for women who can play rugby as well and enjoy the benefits it brings. As a matter of fact, Rugby in SA, NZ, and the UK have their fair share of enthusiasts who play the sport and enjoy watching it regularly as a fun pastime.
Rugby promotes muscle strength and a healthy heart due to all the running around, and you can even use it as a means to shed a few pounds.
3. Running
Running is an excellent sport to participate in if you want to be in shape without spending a lot of money.
Running generates endorphins, which improves both mental and physiological health, and runners have fewer bone and muscle problems than non-runners of the same age.
Running helps to lower blood pressure, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, and enhance blood sugar sensitivity, all of which are beneficial to heart health.
4. Tennis
Tennis is a full-body workout that works a variety of organ systems and muscle areas.
It’ll get your heart racing, your quadriceps and hamstrings working, and your competitive side going, all while bringing you outside and improving your mood.
Some significant health benefits of tennis include:
- Improved heart health because of the sport’s aerobic nature
- Promoting weight loss (only if it’s a personal goal of yours)
- Improved balance
- Better flexibility
5. Cycling
Cycling is a low-impact aerobic workout with numerous advantages. It also has a range of intensities, making it suited for people of various skill levels. In addition, cycling can be used as a form of transportation, a fun and enjoyable pastime, or a competitive sport.
Cycling is a great calorie burner that also helps to enhance the brain and cardiovascular system. It also improves full lower-body function while also strengthening leg muscles without overstretching them. Quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves are all targeted.
6. Swimming
Swimming has several advantages, one of which is that it trains your entire body. This is because you employ most muscle groups to move your body through the water, regardless of the stroke you choose. As a result, each stroke targets various muscle groups, and the water provides light resistance.
Another great advantage of swimming is that individuals with injuries or other conditions can also enjoy the sport. Swimming may even aid in the relief of pain or the speedy rehabilitation of an injury.
