NEW ARTICLES EVERY MONTH
June 2008
TEAM SPIRIT
At last the sun is shining again and is drawing people outside to play sports. Team sports are a lot of fun under the sun. Badminton, beach volleyball and hiking offer group physical fitness options to meet any outdoor preference.
Beach volleyball
You need four players for two beach volleyball teams. The court is made of sand and is easy on the joints when running and jumping, minimising the danger of injury. At the same time, it improves your fitness skills because moving on the sand requires a lot of strength. The reward, however, is that playing in bare feet in the sand also gives you that feeling of being on a holiday. You can find beach volleyball courts in many cities. A pronounced team spirit adds additional fun to the game. After all, beach volleyball is not for the lone wolf type of person. Only when each player helps the other out can you win the game and celebrate a victory together.
Badminton
Why not give badminton a try? It is a dynamic game perfect for two to four players. In Asian countries, such as Vietnam, badminton is a national sport. Early in the mornings, before work and the heat of the day, the streets are full of badminton players. The courts are simply drawn on sidewalks and footpaths in parks. Portable nets are brought along.
Badminton is a very fast game that involves a lot of running and requires and promotes good fitness. When you play, you improve your reaction time, ball feel and your physical coordination capacity through complex motion sequences. Excellent positional play and a sophisticated hitting technique are equally important. Though it sounds hard, it’s easy to learn to play badminton. Rapid progress is also a motivating factor for beginners. Try playing badminton doubles sometime. Playing between partners is a lot of fun.
Hiking
If you prefer something more peaceful, hiking is a great alternative. The whole body gets a good workout during a long day of hiking. The stimulated circulation cleanses the body with fresh oxygen. Blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels return to normal. Even your skin benefits from changing weather conditions and an increased oxygen supply. It can become more resilient and looks refreshed.
Last but not least, the journey is the destination. The great outdoors is a changing landscape with varying gradients; flats and descents stimulate and harmonise body and spirit. In any case, hiking is also a very social sport. It always allows you enough air and time to talk with other hikers while you are hiking along.
