Bowling isn’t often considered a fitness activity, but there are a shocking number of ways it can improve your well-being and make you fit, healthy, and happier. When we think of ways to exercise, bowling might not be the first idea that comes to mind. Most people imagine themselves lazing around the reception area until it’s their turn to go. However, bowling as a good health hobby should not be overlooked if you’re searching for ways to begin or proceed with your fitness journey. While it is not as intense as focused exercise activities, it can provide you with a surprising number of benefits. Here are some reasons why you should visit a bowling zone right now.
- Light Workout
Bowling can assist you in shape by putting your body through light cardio work. That is particularly true for the elderly with mobility issues because you move in brief, smooth bursts when approaching the lane to toss the ball. Between these strategies is rest, which allows seniors with limited mobility or fitness to catch their inhalations and relax their muscles. A four-game bowling evening could burn somewhere around 320 and 400 calories.
Of course, you don’t have to be trying to deal with mobility issues to benefit from bowling.
- Strengthening Exercises
Bowling can provide some strength training in addition to cardio. When you pick up or throw the ball, you work out muscles in your hands, back, and legs. And you’re doing this motion about 40 times per game between picking up the ball and throwing it. That’s roughly 40 repetitions of a good-weight barbell per game.
Bowling form also helps to strengthen your legs by reducing your torso into a flying kick, which works your quadriceps and other calf muscles.
Holding the ball also helps to strengthen other areas of your body, particularly your legs. Walking and throwing the ball with extra weight on your thigh muscles is similar to strolling with leg weights.
- Stress Reduction and Social Interaction Provide Emotional Support
Bowling can be a very relaxing or enjoyable hobby, especially if done with family or friends. If you’re stressed, bowling can provide a fantastic evening out to help ease some of your stress. We’ve previously discussed how bad anxiety can be for the body; therefore, anything that combats it can be beneficial. You could even take your new hobby’s stress-relieving abilities to the next tier by uniting a bowling team or organizing a weekly bowler’s night.
Social exclusion is a serious risk to many elders, and bowling may be a fantastic way to avoid it.
Bowling may not require you to run a mile or lift weights, but it does allow you to get some exercise even when you’re not exercising. Bowling is an unnoticeable combination of strength work and cardio. While bowling will not get you in shape, it is an excellent additional favorite pastime on your fitness routine as long as you limit your journeys to the food stand.