Not only is racquetball a blast to play, but also the sport offers a great deal of physical and mental health benefits. Racquetball is a cinch to learn, and there is a minimal amount of game equipment to buy. The game is fast-paced, so it offers an impressive workout for your entire body in a short amount of time. Racquetball isn't a game for slackers, but you will be having so much fun you won't even notice how much energy you are exerting.
Serve Away Stress
The main objective of racquetball is to use your racket to slam the ball onto the court walls and win points by making your opponent unable to return your serve or kill shot. Let that ball serve as the symbol of whatever is aggravating you at the moment: your bickering spouse, your nagging boss, your sullen teenager. Release all of your pent-up frustrations on the court and leave feeling revitalized and in love with the world again.
Burn Calories Burn
Racquetball is a terrific way to burn calories in a short amount of time. In just one hour of play, you can burn over 500 calories, depending upon your weight. It takes about 20 minutes to play one game and courts are usually rented out by the hour. You can easily play two games within the same session and burn several hundred calories, all while having a great time.
Slam Stomach Fat
Racquetball provides an awesome workout for your midsection. Lunge your way to a winning point — and a flatter stomach. In a game of racquetball, you are constantly on the move, stretching to get your racket on the ball and jumping up in the air to return a serve. Your body will get an excellent core workout without having to grind your way through another predictable exercise class at the gym. Just play the game consistently and watch your stomach shrink.
Boost Your Brain
Racquetball is a real champ when it comes to intensive cardiovascular workouts. But it's not just good for your heart. Racquetball also sharpens your brain's muscles. Each game offers built-in interval training, which studies show boosts your brain's cognitive functioning. Racquetball requires forming rapid-fire strategy to execute winning moves. Your brain benefits from these mental challenges, making you more flexible and adaptable, and more confident when quick decisions need to be made. Squeeze in a game of racquetball at lunch and you will be on top of your game for that important afternoon meeting at work.
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Writer Bio
Joy Johnston has been an online journalist since 2005. She has served as senior producer for the health news website Sharecare and as a digital producer for the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution," where she helped develop the health channel. Johnston has also covered ways to stay fit in Atlanta.