Looking for an exciting workout to nurture your well-being in 2024. Well look no further! Here are a seven sports that will see you improve your fitness levels in weeks, offer huge mental and physical health benefits and open up opportunities to meet new people and widen your social circles.
Swimming
Aside from being a valuable skill that could save your life one day, swimming is one of the best ways to get fit, giving your whole body a full workout. It can engage and tone every one of your muscles and help you burn calories. In addition, swimming removes the need for weights or any equipment, as the resistance from the water fills the gap. There are various techniques to learn and master, and a number of disciplines including water aerobics, water polo, racing, and diving. And best of all, it’s completely inclusive to all ages and fitness levels, allowing you to practice at your own pace. It is also a low-impact exercise and therefore can be good for anyone with injuries or conditions such as arthritis.
Rock Climbing
Like swimming, climbing can be practiced by most people without much equipment. You don’t necessarily have to be a certain age or height to be a great climber. There may be some factors that make some more predisposed to the sport than others but that shouldn’t put you off from trying. There are so many skills to master but they help strengthen your muscles, helping to make it a very rewarding sport for beginners and professionals alike. The satisfaction when you reach the summit, even if it’s just a wall, will make you want to go back, time and time again. And just as swimming opens up many possibilities the next time you travel, learning to climb could open the door to a new kind of adventure that you never considered before!
Yoga
Few sports can help your physical and mental wellbeing as much as yoga. The slow movements and deep breathing techniques help with blood flow and warm up your muscles. Meanwhile, holding a pose can build up strength. It can also be as good as basic stretching for easing pain and helping to improve mobility for those with lower back pain. No wonder it’s recommended as a treatment for chronic low back pain. Even the discomfort of arthritis, one review by John Hopkins has found, can be eased with some gentle yoga. Research has shown that it helps with mental health including a boost in alertness and enthusiasm as well as a reduction in stress. Multiple studies have highlighted its benefits in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women’s health, and chronic pain, to name a few.
Martial Arts
The first obvious benefit of martial arts is self-defense. It can give you the skills you need to survive dangerous situations. However, it has also been shown to improve flexibility as well as improving memory and learning skills. Linked to that, all martial arts promote special awareness along with coordinated movements with another person. Some even employ the use of props and tools to that end. Some, including Kempo, encourage the lower part of the body to act as a base to allow the upper body to maneuver. And because of the environment, they can also promote social skills and teamwork. This is especially valuable for children, allowing them to resolve conflicts and show compassion. Additionally, repetitive movements and stances will benefit your health in other ways including improved posture, better freedom of movement, and as a result, a lower risk of injury.
Dancing
If you want the benefits of martial arts but are put off by the idea, why not try dancing? It’s as much a sport as it is an art form and a way to express yourself. All cultures from ancient times to the modern day have developed their own forms of dancing. It is a truly creative outlet that builds self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment. A new world can open up once you learn the basic rhythms of dancing. You can burn as much as 250 to 450 calories per hour, making it a great way to manage your weight. Being on your feet helps strengthen your bones and moving your joints improves flexibility. According to a study done by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, dancing has been shown to help slow the onset of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
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Surfing
Surfing offers a dynamic full-body workout that strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular fitness, and enhances flexibility and coordination. Beyond the physical benefits, the sport creates a unique connection with nature, providing stress relief. Surfing isn’t confined to the waves; it opens up opportunities for travel and exploration, turning the coast into your playground. Whilst chasing the perfect wave you will discover a whole new world and a greater appreciation for the environment. But it’s not just about the workout, travel, and environmental consciousness; there’s a profound beauty in surfing that will stimulate all the senses.
Motorsports
If you’ve ever been on a long drive, you know that driving is more than just sitting down. It requires serious concentration and motorsport is the pinnacle of it. Learning to control a car on a race track will teach you all about car control. You need lightning-fast reaction times to find the right time to brake, and great coordination to manage the gears and pedals. And there are fantastic communities all over the world bringing people passionate about these machines together.
