We all know the health benefits of playing sports and keeping fit. There are also a whole host of other positive factors which can come from playing sports, including the social aspect of interacting with new people.
The first step you should take is to find a sport you enjoy and feel relatively comfortable playing. Here are four you may want to try for the first time.
Cricket
Cricket is a sport which is largely played in countries that are part of the Commonwealth. England, India and Australia all have major leagues and perform very well in international tournaments. The Indian Premier League, which was won in 2019 by the Mumbai Indians, is arguably the most lucrative in the sport.
The closest sport cricket can be compared to is baseball. It involves a bat and a ball and the objective of the game is to score more runs than your opponent.
The technique for bowling and batting is crucial so if you can find a local cricket club, they will help you improve on this.
The T20 World Cup takes place this October so it may be worth giving this a watch to see if it inspires you to take up cricket. Hosts Australia are the +250 favorites in the cricket betting to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.
Running
One of the big obstacles many people find when it comes to sports is equipment and the cost involved. With running, there is no such problem. All you need is a pair of trainers.
If you are new to running, don’t expect to be able to run a marathon at your first attempt. Start the distance low and gradually increase it once your stamina improves.
There are lots of free apps available which allow you to track your distance and time. Keep a log of all your runs as you will be able to clearly see if you are making progress.
Tennis
Tennis may be a sport you played as a kid but haven’t done so again for a long time. If you feel like you will enjoy it, pick up a racquet again.
The sport is a great way to exercise outdoors. Tennis courts can be found at your local park, but there are also some really well-maintained courts which you can hire.
World No. 1 and 2020 Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic is one of the fittest sports stars in the world. If you play regularly too, you are likely to get in great shape as a result.
Squash
If it is an indoor sport you are looking to play, think about giving squash a go. The sport is generally played by two people so it could be a way to meet new some friends at a sports club.
Although the court is not as big as other sports, don’t be fooled by the amount of running your legs will do. The explosive nature of the game will mean you will be moving around the court at a fast rate.
Hopefully you will fall in love with one of the four above activities and have a lot of success if you decide to play competitively.
