Get acti ve GYMNASTICS YOU DON ’ T HAVE TO B E SU PE R - B E N DY OR VE RY YOU N G TO TRY GYM NA STIC S . TH E R E AR E VAR IOU S T YPE S , I N CLU DI N G R HY TH M IC AN D AE ROB IC , B UT ARTI STIC GYM NA STIC S I S TH E
NETBALL
B E ST K NOWN AN D I NVOLVE S MOVE S ON
TH I S S KI LF U L , AC TION -
DI F F E R E NT APPAR ATU S .
PACK E D COU RT S PORT I S SAI D TO B E TH E WOR LD ’ S
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS? Gymnastics
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helps improve the way you move. More specifically, it can help ‘increase body awareness, strength, control and coordination,’ says Ruddy Farquharson, strength conditioning coach with the English Institute of Sport.
GAM E FOR WOM E N .
IS IT FOR ME? Yes, if you’re looking for a sport that will improve flexibility and core strength. WHERE TO DO IT Enter your postcode at british-gymnastics.org/discover to find your nearest club. The site also helps you decide which type of gymnastics is for you. You can join taster sessions, usually for free, and then commit for any time period or pay as you go, with 90 minutes sessions from around £5. Adult classes give anyone over 18 the opportunity to learn any type of gymnastics from scratch.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS? ‘Increased cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone – particularly your core – and weight loss are all key benefits from regularly playing this fast-paced and dexterous game,’ says Helen Wynn of England Netball.
IS IT FOR ME? Absolutely, if you like the idea of a sport that involves the fast catching and throwing of a ball, and you enjoy team games.
WORDS AVIVA ATTIAS ILLUSTRATIONS ADAM QUEST *Batfoundation.com If you’re not currently active, or have health issues, it’s a good idea to talk to your GP before starting a new exercise routine.
WHERE TO PLAY If you’re looking
SQUASH MOR E THAN J UST A H IG H CALOR I E B U R N E R , SQ UA S H I S G R E AT F U N , TOO. PE R HAPS THAT’ S WHY MOR E THAN 27,000 WOM E N AN D M E N I N E N G L AN D PL AY E ACH WE E K .
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS? Squash can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour – and the better you get, the more you burn. ‘You have to run, bend, lunge, twist and turn to hit the ball, so it works both your lower and upper body, as well as improving cardiovascular fitness,’ says squash coach Gayle Pink.
for a gentle introduction to the sport with guidance from a coach, give Back To Netball a try. Alternatively, check out Netball Now, where you simply turn up, pay a small fee and play a game – find details for both at englandnetball.co.uk. Or visit netballscotland.com, which also works on a pay-as-you-go basis (from around £2 per session). If you’re in Northern Ireland or Wales, contact your local club for introductory schemes and visit netballni.org or welshnetball.co.uk.
IS IT FOR ME? It is if you want to boost your fitness levels, lose weight or meet people, this game ticks all the boxes. WHERE TO PLAY There are more
than 4,000 courts in England alone, with most leisure centres offering pay-and-play sessions from around £5 per 40 minutes to an hour. Find your nearest court at england squashandracketball.com; scottish squash.org.uk; walessquashandracket ball.co.uk; or ulstersquash.com. For a taster session and to learn a few key techniques, book a Squash 101 group class, where an expert will guide you through essential skills and techniques (england squashandracketball.com/squash101).
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Not sure where to start? Browse the sports at beinspireduk.org, which includes info on playing with a physical or learning disability or sensory impairment.
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