A common new year’s resolution is to try and get fit. A great way to do this is by adopting a new sport. Sport’s make getting fit into a game, are social and are usually on a regular basis meaning it’s easy to get into the habit it.
Choosing which sport to participate in is challenging. According to the World Sports Encyclopedia, there are around 8000 different sports! With so many to choose from, it can be intimidating to jump in. However once you do make your choice, you won’t regret it!
The first step is to consider which sport is suitable for you and your health. Ask whether you enjoy sports with strategy, hand-eye coordination, minimal contact, low injury risk and time commitment.
Rugby, Soccer and football
While New Zealand is full of Rugby enthusiasts, it is an incredibly physical sport which involves a lot of contact. So if you have a fragile physic or like your personal space, this probably isn’t the sport for you!
Good for: those who don’t mind physical contact, have strong physic and are okay with relying heavily on a team
Basketball and Netball
Some people feel jolty at the thought of running on a field with high levels of contact and injury. And that’s okay! Games like Netball and Basketball, although they involve contact, this contact is typically limited. It also involves strategy and more defined roles. However do be warned: falling on grass is a lot more forgiving than falling on concrete!
Good for: Team players with excellent throwing and catching ability and great distance measurement.
Tennis, Cricket and Racquetball
Further still are people who really prefer avoiding contact. These people rely on strategy and internal calculating of distances and time. Bat-and-ball and racquet-and-ball games suit these people well. However people playing these games do need to be cautious as there tend to be a lot of strict rules.
Good for: Strategic individualists with excellent hand-eye coordination.
Now that you have a broad idea about which sport you may be interested in, you need to start considering details. Each of these sports in their own have a lot to consider.
Take for example tennis. In tennis you need to choose between pressurised and pressureless tennis balls. Pressurised tennis balls have more bounce, more spin response and more speed – probably not good if it’s your first year getting into tennis! Pressureless tennis balls are firmed from the offset but eventually become more bouncy – and this is long lived!
Now that you know which sport interest you it’s time to do some research! Find out if this sport is offered in your area.
