When you think about sport, you might think that they are all healthy, and in general, they are. However, some sports are healthier than others, and it is these that you need to think about if you want to get fit.
You could go to the gym, but it isn’t the most exciting thing you can do and can lack a competitive edge. It is far better to combine a love of the sport with getting healthier. You can even try your hand at a new sport to see how you like it.
Of all the sports that are currently out there, these are probably some of the best to get you healthier and considerably fitter.
Swimming
There is no surprise that swimming is on the list. It offers so much across the board that even those who haven’t worked out in a while can start getting fitter by going swimming.
Swimming can help you in many ways; it improves your lung capacity, it helps you to lose weight, build muscle and promote flexibility.
The best thing about swimming is that it is a low-impact stress sport. That means you can still swim if you have hurt your leg, arm or back because the water holds your weight as you exercise. Even if you are pregnant, you can still swim, and this is an advantage over the other sports. By swimming in pregnancy, you are able to keep fit in a way that is gentle on your body, and baby in utero.
Tennis
Just one hour of tennis can burn up to 600 calories. It sounds amazing, but the amount of running across the court and swinging the racket soon mounts up to a serious workout.
One of the best aspects of tennis is that it requires short bursts of intense activity which is a good way to raise your metabolism. If you are new to the sport, it is best to build up slowly rather than play a whole game right away.
Golf
You might think that golf is a sedate sport, and there aren’t any bursts of activity. However, golf is a great way to get some walking exercise into your daily routine as well as some upper body exercise while you hit those noodle golf balls, and the best part is that this sport is not restricted to any specific age group or level of fitness.
You can get a few miles in while you are playing, and the more you play, the fitter you will get. All you need to do is ditch the golf buggy and walk instead.
Rowing
Now when it comes to rowing, you are certainly getting a whole-body workout. Not only does it help you to lose weight, but it also builds muscle strength and works the cardio vascular system.
You don’t have to be rowing outside in your local lake; you can also use a rowing machine inside. It means that you can easily add rowing to your gym equipment in your home and get a high-intensity workout.
Hard-ball Squash
While the popularity of squash may not be as it was a few years ago, the sport is still considered one of the healthiest sports you can do. This fast-paced game has all the elements to get you fit. It increases aerobic ability, boosts flexibility, burns a lot of calories and improves your hand-eye coordination.
If you are new to exercise or you haven’t worked out in a while, you might want to wait a little while before you start playing squash.
Cycling
Cycling can take many forms, and all of them have a good level of fitness associated with them. Most people who want to cycle to get fit will probably go for the road cycling. It is less stress on the body, and you can cover a lot of miles in a relatively short time.
If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, you could go for cross country cycling. It is a lot more demanding as you have to traverse muddy hills and rocky slopes. However, this type of cycling does make more of a demand on your body.
Running
A lot of people who want to get fit will take up running or jogging. It is a great sport for beginners as you can go at your own pace, and it doesn’t need any special equipment. Running does have many benefits including increased lung capacity, a better cardio vascular system, and it is great for your mental health.
As with cycling, there are many ways you can run, you can run along the road as many people do, you can hit the trails, or you can run at home on a treadmill.
Volleyball
Volleyball makes the list because it burns high calories, especially in a competitive game. You could burn between 120 to 178 calories in a competitive match, while you can still use 90 to 130 calories just playing non-competitively.
Playing this sport can boost your metabolic rate, build agility and boost your mood. All of these things are a big plus for those looking to lose weight and get fitter.
Gymnastics
While gymnastics might not be the best sport for everyone, there is no doubt that it can greatly increase your fitness levels. It increases your strength, your posture, and your metabolism. However, you need to be at a certain level of fitness before you start so you could use it to maintain your fitness levels.
Gymnastics is a good thing for children to start because they are already flexible, and typically have a good base of fitness. For kids, gymnastics can improve their focus and their concentration; it can also help them with coordination and problem-solving.
If you are looking for a sport that can offer many different ways to get fit, then these can certainly do the job. They can all build stamina and cardio vascular function, and help improves your mental well-being. Whether you are starting a new fitness regime, or you want to try something a little more challenging, there is something on this list that will appeal to you. Sports are a great way to get your body moving but sometimes those excuses come in. Avoid the excuses and get your gut health a priority. Start looking for a good probiotic so you can enjoy all these activities.
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