The Best Cardio Workout? Play This Sport!

Let’s all admit one thing right from the start: It’s so much more enjoyable to complete a cardio workout through a game or sport then by traditional means.

 
[HINT: The sport I'm talking about in this post is a close relative to tennis. Err... excuse me sir, you have something stuck in your back!]

Forget treadmills, ellipticals, step-machines, or whatever other piece of equipment you’ll find at your local gym. I’d rather be testing my physical abilities, or lack thereof, opposite another person or group of people playing basketball, soccer, football, or ultimate frisbee to name a few.

But mainstream sports aside, today’s article is about a sport that suffers from a reputation as a pastime for only the elite in society. How ironic is it then that it was likely invented by prisoners in the 19th century? You can find the complete history lesson over at Wikipedia.

What Sport Am I?

What’s important is the fact that this sport could kick your butt like no treadmill could ever dream of doing and yes I’m talking about the action-packed-heart-pounding game of Squash!

Say What? I eat my vegetables, not play with them…

Yes, they are especially tasty this time of year (Happy Thanksgiving to all our US friends), but the game of Squash is even more enjoyable. It’s a vigorous workout with some games lasting one hour or more.

Why is it a great workout?

I know this sounds a little cliche but if I didn’t tell you this fast-paced game requires aerobic fitness, flexibility, strength and concentration, I’d feel like I would be letting you down. And did I mention strong leg and core muscles? Talk about a whole body workout!

A game of Squash involves short bursts of anaerobic activity where oxygen is used up more quickly than the body is able to replenish it inside the working muscle. Kinda of sounds like interval training doesn’t it?

The 3 ways your body is challenged in Squash

What really impresses people about this sport is the demands on the body it places with regards to your ability to adapt, be flexible, and maintain balance.

Yes, being fit and strong are important but being able to adapt quickly in situations where you’re under stress and out of balance is key. Flexibility is essential for long lunges that allow you as the player to cover the court in two or three strides. The novice player will make it look a little herky-jerky while struggling to maintain their balance because they’re moving so quickly.

[The expert squash players make this sport look very graceful yet powerful - none better then Jansher Khan. Leonidas and the Spartan army called and they would like their movie soundtrack returned;)]

The mental benefits of Squash

Squash really gets your heart rate up with plenty of stop-and-go action but many players equally enjoy the mental benefits that come along with a game of squash. It takes your mind off things when you’re in the midst of a game. Hell, it’s simply impossible to reflect on the day’s problems at the same time you’re following the bouncing ball!

Some people have even compared the sport to “physical chess” because your concentration level becomes very intense with each passing shot.

Throw in the fact that you and your opponent are trying to jockey for position on the court (which is basically a 20-foot box) while strategizing where to hit the ball and with what speed, and you can quickly see how this sport gives you a full-body workout!

If you’re bored with traditional cardio it’s time to re-think your attack on fat loss and try something different like the game of Squash. Besides, who can deny the pure satisfaction of smashing a small ball as hard as humanly possible? A great stress reliever and workout all in one!