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 doesn’t stop us from searching for shortcuts. Superfoods, fad diets, and fat-burning pills promise real and lasting results that never seem to materialize. It is no wonder that Americans are tipping the scales in the wrong direction. At last count, one-third of Americans are obese while two-thirds are overweight.
Exercise Is The Answer
As we mentioned at the outset, expending more calories than you consume is the only way to win the battle of the bulge. The problem, however, is that only a small portion of the U.S. population is physically active enough to operate at 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 true that any aerobic exercise can help you sweat off the pounds, racquetball is one of the very best for a number of simple reasons. First and most important, it’s fun! We cannot overstate the importance of finding an exercise routine that is challenging and enjoyable. Far 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 is not enough to get you to do something you don’t want to do. You must find an activity that makes you want to hit the gym. Racquetball is that exercise.
The Benefits
A fast-paced sport that can be played alone or with friends, inside or outdoors, racquetball checks all the boxes when it comes to a fun, exciting, versatile activity. It also doesn’t hurt that the game works wonders for your waistline. According to the experts, it is possible to burn over 700 calories an hour playing the game — depending on your weight and intensity level. That’s more than tennis, basketball, weight training, and most forms of aerobics.
Getting Started
If you’re looking for a place to play, check out your local health club. With over 5 million regular players in the U.S., it shouldn’t be hard for you to find a court in your area. Depending on the facility, they may even let you borrow a racquet and balls. As for the rules of the game, they are fairly simple and straightforward and can often be learned in only a few sessions.
How Often To Play
If weight loss is your goal, you should play for an hour, three times a week. Because hitting the ball to yourself for 180 minutes a week would be boring, we strongly suggest that you play with a friend. If you can find a partner of the same ability/experience level, fantastic. But you can also benefit if your partner is much better than you because you will be forced to push yourself to the limits, 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.