Sports For Adults

Some of the most fun sports that exist in the world today are the most intensive.

Many of us remember our youths, where we could run a full 90 minutes on a soccer pitch or played basketball on the courts well into the setting sun.

If you are like us in age or endeavor, then you know what comes next.

The gradual huff and puff that appears after a couple of years, the weakness in our joints after only an hour of play, the necessary nap that  comes after doing the slightest bit of exercise. 

You may not be experiencing these adult problems, but you may be worried about them in the future.

Well, not to worry, as there are actually quite a few sports that don't cause these issues while still allowing you to get some much-needed exercise that keeps us going.

Some of these may not be for you, but they are worth keeping an eye on for the future. 

Why Is Exercising Good?

The benefits of exercise go beyond just providing a means of staying fit. Exercise can help you live longer, better and more fulfilling lives.

It helps you maintain your mental health and increases your self-esteem. It also provides social opportunities, relieves stress, improves sleep quality and has many other positive effects. 

It's so important to stay active, because it's one of the best things you can do for your health.

In fact, when it comes down to it, exercise is really all about balancing out your body’s systems and organs.

For example, if you have a lot of excess weight, it will put extra strain on your heart and lungs.

And if you're underweight, it'll make it harder for your bones to grow strong enough to support your body.

So, by getting regular exercise, you can balance out those imbalances and keep yourself healthy.

Exercise is also great for your mind. When people are stressed out or anxious, they often turn to unhealthy habits such as eating junk food or drinking too much alcohol.

But exercise can provide a welcome distraction from negative thoughts, reduce anxiety levels and improve overall mood.

This makes it easier to concentrate and focus at work or school. It also gives you something else to look forward to every day and reminds you to appreciate life, which can bring happiness. 

So, whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle tone or simply enjoy being outside with friends and family, exercise is always a smart choice. 

There are two main ways to get moving: either you choose an activity that you love, or you find something new to try.

You don’t need to spend hours at the gym or running miles around town. Even 10 minutes can provide real results.

Just take it easy at first and build up slowly. Make sure you listen to your body and follow any instructions given to ensure safety. 

Sports For Sedentary Adults

If you haven't been exercising regularly, start small. Walking briskly for 30 minutes three times per week is a great way to begin.

Then gradually increase the length and intensity of your workout session. Once you've mastered walking, add a second sport to the mix – swimming, cycling, yoga or even dancing.

Swimming is especially popular, due to its ability to work out the muscles of the body without putting too much pressure on bones or joints.

This is due to the buoyancy of the water holding the body up and taking away pressure from the skeleton itself. 

Swimming is also an effective exercise for neck and shoulder pain, which is especially great for adults who spend long hours at a desk.  

Similarly, cycling has also become an increasingly popular cardio for seniors and adults for this reason.

While it can take its toll on the knees, the impact is lessened considerably by the fact the cyclist pushes the pedals, which prevents recoil from traveling through the leg as would happen with running. Cycling allows you to travel far without overdoing it. 

Yoga is not as intensive as the other two sports, but it helps significantly with maintaining a healthy bone and joint structure.

The stretches and positions are a form of isometric exercise, which is a way of strengthening muscles without moving the surrounding joints.

Most forms of this exercise involve stretching the muscles to make them stronger, while not putting strain on other parts of the body. 

Dancing is a bit of a difficult one, because it will be as intense as you make it.

A slow ballroom type dance can help you exercise while not draining you too much, but more intensive styles, like jazz or tap, will be much more difficult. So, pick your dance carefully. 

These activities burn calories and strengthen muscles without putting too much pressure on your joints.

They're great for beginners as they allow for plenty of movement and variety. 

Sports For Active Adults

For those who have already started working out, there's no reason why you shouldn't continue.

There are plenty of sports to keep you fit throughout adulthood. And if you feel like trying something new, then why not?

You might prefer to play a team game such as cricket, tennis, or  maybe squash. Golf is another good option.

It is a game that can be taken at the player's pace, and you can call it quits at any point in the game.

The only things you need to worry about in golf are friction burns on gloveless hands and potentially heat stroke from being out too long.

If you live in an area where you can join a club, then this is ideal. Otherwise, you could just go for a walk in the park or along the seafront. 

Running is probably the most popular sport for adults. Although it does put a lot of stress on your legs, many runners find it hard to stop once they start.

Running is also great for keeping your heart rate up all day long. It takes only ten minutes to warm-up before beginning your run, so you won't feel as tired when you finish. Knowing how to breathe when running can also help you perform better. 

Again, though, this might be a bit much for older adults. Therefore, we would recommend speed walking or power walking instead.

You still move quickly and get your steps in, but it is far less stress on the body. 

Gym classes are another option if you can afford them. These usually include aerobics, strength training, balance exercises and flexibility training.

Classes are often held five days a week, and the cost varies depending on what gym you choose. You can expect to pay between $30 and $80 per month.

Gym classes are for all age groups and fitness types, so there is no need to worry about classes being too hard for you, as you can always pick another class. 

If you want to stay indoors, then boxing is a great alternative. This is a full contact sport that involves punching and kicking.

You wear protective gear including head guards, mouth guards, shin pads and gloves. It's been known to cause injuries to the jaw and nose.

However, these injuries are rare, and you should be able to avoid taking part in sparring matches and if boxing proves a bit too much or difficult, then you can always just box against a punching bag. All the benefits and none of the problems. 

Other outdoor activities include hiking, fishing, skiing and hunting. Hiking is great exercise because it allows you to see new places.

Fishing is great fun, and you can catch fish using flies, lures, bait or worms.  Skiing is great exercise to keep fit, especially if you're into downhill racing.

Hunting is a traditional pastime, but nowadays, it's more common to shoot clay pigeons than wild animals. 

Staying Active In The Home

If you need some easy sports or activities to do at home but are unsure whether there are any feasible activities, then don't worry.  

There are other ways you can stay fit at home without having to leave your bedroom. Some people use weights, while others use resistance bands.

Weights are usually made with metal plates or bars. They can be used by themselves or with dumbbells.

Resistance bands are similar to an elastic band, except they come in different sizes and shapes. You can buy them online or try some local gyms. 

We mentioned Yoga earlier as well, but there are in fact a dozen or so exercises like yoga that can also be done at home.

These are all part of the isometric exercises and range from mind-body exercises like yoga and Pilates to martial arts like Tai Chi.

These are practiced by all age groups and are particular favorites of older generations as they can be practiced easily anywhere. 

Conclusion 

It may seem daunting as you get older, as your body begins to fail you, and you just can't do as much anymore, but know that there are still plenty of activities you can still do.

It is all about changing your focus to make use of what you have and for many people, once they begin exercising, they find they can begin to do a lot more than they used to.