Studies have shown the benefits of regular exercise for years. And we can look to those who’ve lived a life full of exercise and mobility and see just how those benefits have allowed for a better quality of life.
But when we think of exercise, we often think of grinding it out at the gym, running in the morning, or other exercises that aren’t as fun or attractive to most people.
The good news is that there are various kinds of sporting activities that all have the same benefits as regularly exercising in the gym or at home. And most sporting activities are perfect for people of all ages or experience levels.
You might remember playing basketball as a child or teenager, but you probably weren’t aware of the many health benefits that this one activity produced. And so it goes with nearly all sporting activities.
Here, we’ll look into a few sporting activities that will leave you with great health benefits.
Disc Golf
Most people have heard of golf. But you won’t find too many people who are well-versed in the art of disc golf.
Like regular golf, disc golf involves being outdoors and requires a lot of walking between holes. You also have various discs ranked by weight and shape, some of which are long or mid-range drivers, and others are made specifically for putting.
This sport is popular at state parks across the country. And if you’ve ever been in your local park and have seen those weird yellow posts with hanging chains placed randomly, those are disc golf baskets.
Disc golf requires high concentration, agility, and arm strength. And combined with being an outdoor sporting event that offers competitions, this can be an activity that anyone can enjoy and reap the benefits from.
Fishing
Going fishing might seem like something that only retired people do in their spare time. But truly, fishing is an activity that anyone can enjoy from any walk of life.
The great thing about fishing is that it gets you outdoors and alongside nature. As such, when you’re outside in the sun, breathing in fresh oxygen-rich air, this in itself makes you feel better. Additionally, being around moving water relaxes the body and the mind as negative ions are released from water in motion.
Fishing also requires a great deal of concentration and patience. And even though a great deal of time spent fishing seems like it might be dull and boring, when the fish start biting, this is where you’ll reap the benefits.
If you want to explore the health benefits of fishing year-round, sites such as Tailored Tackle offer many tools to get you started, whether you’re fishing by your favorite river in the summertime or ice-fishing on a lake in the winter. And once you get your gear together, you’ll be able to get outside and enjoy yourself in the natural world.
Swimming
Perhaps one of the best all-around exercises for the body is swimming. And for very good reasons.
Swimming requires the use of nearly all muscle groups. And just 30 minutes spent swimming can have you feeling exhilarated and refreshed. In fact, swimming is also considered a low-impact exercise. And this is a great option for those who can’t engage in weight training or running due to physical limitations.
Swimming also strengthens your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Because as you swim, your heart and lungs have to work faster in order for you to maintain momentum in the water.
But you don’t have to be an Olympic swimmer to reap the benefits from swimming. Even light pool exercises a few times a week can work wonders for the body and the mind.
At the end of the day, any physical activity that requires using your body and your mind together is going to be beneficial for you. So whether you choose to go to the batting cage and practice your swing or head out to the lake and try your luck, you’ll be in much better “shape” after you do.
