Is racquetball good for weight loss?
The only way to maintain a healthy weight is to burn more calories than we take in. Although the evidence clearly supports this fact, it does not prevent us from looking for shortcuts. Superfoods, fad diets, and fat burning pills promise real, long-lasting results that never seem to materialize. No wonder the Americans are tipping the scales in the wrong direction. By the last count, one-third of Americans are obese, while two-thirds are overweight.
exercise is the answer
As we mentioned at the beginning, expending more calories than you consume is the only way to win the battle against excess weight. The problem, however, is that only a small portion of the US population is physically active enough to operate in a net caloric deficit on a regular basis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 20 percent of American adults get the recommended 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week.
why racquetball works
While it’s true that any aerobic exercise can help you lose weight, racquetball is one of the best for a few simple reasons. First and foremost, it’s fun! We cannot overstate the importance of finding an exercise routine that is both challenging and enjoyable. Too many adults skip their daily workout because it’s just plain boring. At the end of the day, the promise of a slimmer waistline isn’t enough to make you do something you don’t want to do. You need to find an activity that makes you want to go to the gym. Racquetball is that exercise.
The benefits
A fast-paced sport that can be played alone or with friends, indoors or outdoors, racquetball ticks all the boxes when it comes to a fun, exciting and versatile activity. It also doesn’t hurt that the game does wonders for your waistline. According to experts, it is possible to burn more than 700 calories per hour playing, depending on your weight and intensity level. That’s more than tennis, basketball, weight training, and most forms of aerobics.
Starting
If you’re looking for a place to play, visit your local gym. With over 5 million regular players in the US, it shouldn’t be hard for you to find a court in your area. Depending on the facility, they may even lend you a racket and balls. As for the rules of the game, they are quite simple and straightforward and can often be learned in just a few sessions.
how often to play
If weight loss is your goal, you should play for an hour, three times a week. Since hitting the ball for 180 minutes a week would be boring, we suggest playing with a friend. If you can find a partner of the same skill/experience level, great. But you can also benefit if your partner is so much better than you because you’ll be forced to push yourself to the max, burning a lot of extra calories in the process.
Racquetball is an exciting sport that can help you lose weight and improve your overall fitness while having a lot of fun.
