|
Some
things to keep in mind if you're thinking about taking up
racquetball:
by Marilynn
Preston
Easy to Learn, Fun to Do
Racquetball is the easiest of the racquet sports. It is a
much faster and more forgiving game than tennis, and in most
cases, guarantees you a better workout in a shorter amount
of time. Racquetball isn't really a conditioning sport, and
your heart and lungs will be in better shape if you use
traditional aerobic sports -- such as running, walking,
cycling, swimming. But racquetball is an off-the-wall game
that is tough to beat for sheer fun.
Burns Calories, Builds Muscle
A good game of racquetball puts all your muscle groups to
work, building strength and endurance. And you can burn
650-750 calories an hour if you're a fairly skilled player
and you play against someone just as good at keeping the
ball in play. The catch is that as your level of playing
improves, your activity level may actually go down; games
between advanced players often comes down to killer serves,
power shots and very short volleys.
Racquetball Involves Some Risk
Racquetball is a draw to out-of-shape people who want to
have fun and work up a sweat because it's so simple to learn
and easy to enjoy. The problem is, racquetball is also a
vigorous, demanding game with lots of running, hitting,
turning and twisting, which puts stress on muscles,
ligaments and joints that may not be strong enough or
flexible enough to take the strain. So stretch and
strengthen to reduce your own risks, and don't crash into
walls or play with crazy people who might hit you with their
racquet rather than miss a shot.
Great for Tension
Batting a bouncy little racquetball around a court for an
hour or so is a splendid way to relieve tension and stress.
Cost And Convenience
You can't just run out and play racquetball the way you can
take a run or jump on your bike. It involves finding a
suitable partner and paying for court time. On the other
hand, it's a great game, especially for families. |
