Let’s face it. We all know that working out is essential to a healthy and happy life, but many of us just don’t like gyms or cardio says Connor Crenshaw. They can be boring for many, and as such, feel like a chore more than anything.
Thankfully, great activities exist that are social and very healthy. Some have a competitive aspect that pushes us to do more, even in play among friends. Along with the physical benefits, social sports can also provide great psychological benefits. One of the best sports to fit this bill is tennis says Connor Crenshaw. It provides a great workout and is a fun social activity.
Physical Health Benefits
Don’t care for the treadmill? Tennis is a great cardio activity that gets the heart pumping and keeps it going throughout each set. A tennis player can achieve a heart rate similar to running, cycling, or using an elliptical machine. Additionally, tennis has benefits similar to strength training. The benefits of even 30 minutes of tennis are tremendous. They include:
- A lower resting heart rate
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased aerobic activities
- Reduced body fat and weight loss – an hour of play can burn 600 calories, the same as an hour on a treadmill
- A much-lowered risk of several diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
- Improved lung capacity
- Boosts the immune system
- Improved muscle tone
- Increased strength & flexibility
- Better reaction times
- More restful sleep
- Increased energy
That’s a lot of great physical benefits!
Mental Health Benefits
Tennis also has a very positive impact on mental health. The combination of socializing, friendship, and physical exertion produces amazing mental benefits for all players, Connor Crenshaw says. More specifically, tennis players will experience such benefits as:
- Increased self-esteem that comes from looking great
- Lower stress due to better sleep and physical fitness
- Growth in happiness due to the relationship-building of a social sport
- Greater productivity and clarity as a product with improved health
As they say in infomercials, “but wait! That’s not all.
Other Benefits
Tennis has a few perks that set it apart from many other sports out there. They are:
- Low cost to start – just a couple of tennis racquets and some balls
- Tennis is great for any age group – kids, teens, adults, and seniors can all enjoy the sport
- Any skill level can play
- A non-impact sport
- Tennis is a great social sport and relationship builder
- Tennis courts tend to be free – parks, schools, and community centers often have courts that cost nothing to play on
Does it sound like tennis is amazing? That’s because it is.
Few sports offer the number of benefits as tennis. A low-cost sport that has tremendous benefits to physical and mental health, tennis is truly beneficial for everyone. As a way to build relationships, it can be second to none. If you’ve never played tennis, go give it a shot. There is little to lose and so much to be gained. Connor Crenshaw is a tennis professional, ardent volunteer, and sports enthusiast. He teaches tennis to kids as a community service and a way to help improve their lives.