We in Ohio are blessed with some top-level sports teams to follow. The Cavs consistently have some of the best NBA ballers in the league on their roster and even the Browns have started to compete in the last few years. But as we get a little older it is also crucial that we keep up our own personal sports regimes.
No one is expecting anyone older than 50 to be regularly playing competitive sports at a high level or featuring on the best sportsbook websites. But keeping fit and healthy should be a top priority – and playing some kind of sport is one of the best ways to do that.
We applaud you if you are still competing at a good level in your chosen sport. But here are some sports you can do for fun. These are all great ways to keep fit while making sure that sports still play an important role in your life.
Pickleball
You may have heard of this new sport being linked with young hipsters. But it is really one of the best all-ages sports out there. Kind of like a mixture between tennis and table tennis, it requires less room than the former for a game to break out and everyone seems to be welcome.
As with many of the sports we are about to profile, a major benefit of pickleball is the social element. It is so much easier to keep fit and healthy when you have friends around you to keep going. You can also make your pickleball games as competitive – or non-competitive – as you like.
Swimming
This is a perfect pastime if you have any problems with joints. The non-impact nature and water setting means that you can exercise safe in the knowledge that you are not going to aggravate any pre-existing conditions. There is a reason that professional athletes train with weights in pools when they get injured.
Swimming is a cardiovascular workout that will also help with strengthening your muscles. If you want to test yourself a little more you can always experiment with leg weights and flippers. But we think just getting into the water – especially if you are lucky enough to live near the shore – is a good start.
Walking Soccer
You may not have even played soccer before. But this version provides all the benefits of team sports without forcing you to take a rest every five minutes. To be fair, it is much more of a workout than the name suggests, but it is still just a game of soccer where running is strictly forbidden.
The lack of any running means that there is less chance of injury and the game becomes much more of a low-impact, high-skill game. But don’t worry if your soccer knowledge only goes as far as the USMNT at the World Cup, this fast-growing sport can be played at all levels of expertise.
Cycling
If you are not sure that you want to jump straight back into the competitive nature of a lot of team sports, why not get on two wheels and combine a scenic ride with your fitness regime? You can always cycle as part of a group if you want to, but for a piece of “me-time”, cycling is tough to beat.
If you’re not sure of the open road when you start you can always get a fixed training bike to get back into the groove. Again, this cardiovascular workout is as tough or laidback as you make it. The whole point of taking up sports in your later years is to do something you enjoy while reaping the benefits.
Tennis
This is one sport that is a little faster-paced than some of the others on our list, so if you have not kept up a regular fitness regime it might be an idea to take things easy at first. But, once you get going, you will soon realize that it is a sport that will give you a full body workout every time.
With so much constant movement in direction, tennis is great for bone strength but it does obviously come with the increased risk of injury – especially to your joints. It may look from the TV that there is a lot of just standing around with tennis but your mind will need to be constantly switched on to keep up.
Tai Chi
If tennis sounds a little too energetic for you, then how about a sport that is as good for your mind as it is for your body? Originating in ancient China, Tai Chi will increase flexibility while promoting mindfulness. This all-in-one martial art also costs practically nothing, as there is no equipment to buy.
Breathing techniques and fluid movements that help with balance, as well as strength, make Tai Chi a low-impact but high-result sport to take up as you get a little older. As easy to practice alone as in a group, you can take Tai Chi entirely at your own speed while not putting too much pressure on your body.
Walking
We left perhaps the easiest one to pick up until last. The simple act of walking is an excellent way to ensure that you are keeping your body moving and getting some exercise, without worrying about the risk of injury or being concerned about your level of expertise.
The physical benefits of walking are obvious, as you can increase bone strength as well as your muscles. However, walking has also been proven to help with reducing stress and anxiety. You could even bring together a group of friends to enjoy walks with – and make sure that there is a common goal at the end!
Whatever your physical ability, taking up some kind of sport or exercise is crucial in keeping fit and healthy and feeling good about yourself, so why not get out there yourself?
