22/08/2021
How To Choose What Sport To Practice
So you have decided that it is the perfect time to get yourself moving. You are so excited and canât wait to start. Only thatâŠyou donât know what.
The key to sticking to your work-out plan is to choose an activity / sport that is suitable for you.
How you can choose you are wondering? Read below for some tips:
1. Know your reason to do sports
It is great that you have decided on being active. Behind that decision though there is a reason for it. Do you want to build muscles, lose weight, increase stamina, improve overall health and wellbeing or learn how to destress after a demanding week at work? Once you identify the reason, you will be able to shortlist the best options.
2. Choose according to your personality
There are sport activities that will hardly let you take a breath while others are much more relaxed. You need to take into consideration your personality as well, when selecting a suitable sport. If you are naturally more relaxed perhaps a bit slower paced sports such as yoga, bowling, billiard and golf might be a good option.
Should you enjoy fast paced activities then boxing, muay-thai, Zumba, etc. will be a great choice.
3. Are you a team-player or a solo performer
Some of you might really enjoy the feel of being a part of a team. Being able to contribute to the team or supported by it when needed. In this case, football, basketball, volleyball, cricket, etc. will resonate with you.
On the other hand, you might perform best when doing some individual work. Tennis, running, swimmingâŠthe options are numerous here.
4. Do you prefer group classes or individual approach
Group classes are usually cheaper and you have the social aspect as a motivation â when you are tired and need some push to be active; or when you start making friends and you get this warm community feeling.
On another hand, should you wish to have more flexibility, you can find this in individual workouts. You will be able to identify the time you want to train, the coach can adapt the workout to your personal progress and focus entirely on you.
5. Workout without breaking the bank
Maybe at the moment you cannot afford singing up to a gym or your life schedule doesnât allow you such commitment. Then you can explore one of the below:
- Train at home. There are variety of exercises that you can do such as push-ups, sit-ups, squats, plank, stretches, lounges, etc. that do not require any equipment. Or if you need some, you can easily adapt household items to help you in your work-out - furniture, water bottles instead of dumbbells, etc. You can use online sessions to help you with the list of exercises you should do. Just be careful not to injure yourself by doing an exercise wrong.
- Go for a walk or a run outdoors.
- Use outdoor equipment provided at parks, etc. free of charge.
- Join a community work out. Many communities organize free of charge, usually outdoor activities such as yoga, Pilates, Zumba, etc.
- Or just dance :)
6. Choose based on your health
Should you suffer from any health condition or have injuries, it is highly recommended to first get doctorâs advice on what is best for you.
Also take into consideration your fitness level. Of course, it will improve with regular practice but you might want not to get involved in very high intensity work-outs straight from the beginning. This might be very strenuous on your body and also discourage you.
7. Choose based on your budget
Some sports may be very expensive â the sessions themselves or the gear that you need (think horse-riding, golf, etc.). Make sure you are aware of what you need in order to perform the particular sport and you can afford it. Else go for an activity that requires sportswear that fits your budget.
8. Enjoy it !
Whatever you choose make sure you enjoy it. Only then you can ensure that you will stick to it. Nowadays, most gyms or sport activities providers offer a free trial class. This way you will be able to get a better feel of the sport itself, the facilities, the coaches, etc. Keep exploring until you find the right fit for you.
And one more tipâŠsometime you might have found the right activity but not the right place. So if you feel that you really enjoy the sport itself, donât restrict yourself to one place. Try several gyms or coaches to make sure you choose what is most suitable for you.
Stay active, stay healthy !
From Flair Sport Team