As we get older, playing sports becomes more difficult. Joints ache and our bodies seem to want to pack on the pounds easier than when we were young. However, there are some sports that are better for us during midlife than others!
We’ve compiled a little list of some of the best sports for people in their mid 30’s through their 50’s. While it doesn’t mean you can’t play a sport you enjoy at any age, it just means that these sports will be a little easier on your body and allow you to improve your health all around.
Bowling
Bowling is one of the best sports for older adults because it puts less strain on the body than other sports. If you’re looking for a hobby that is easy on the knees and hips, then this is definitely one to consider.
Golf
Golf seems to be a sport where you get better the older you get! It’s one of the few games out there where advancing age tends to increase your skill level. Golf is also very light on the body and almost anyone can do it, regardless of their physical condition. If you have a golf course near you, give it a try!
Swimming
Swimming may seem like an odd choice because so much of its success depends on your fitness level. However, even if you’re overweight, there are certain strokes that will allow you to swim. Swimming is also very light on your joints and an excellent way to lower your blood pressure and lose weight. If you find a pool nearby and aren’t afraid of getting in the water, give it a try!
Walking / Jogging
Walking and jogging are great sports for nearly everyone. They’re both easy on the body and can be done by almost anyone at any age. It’s one of the few sports that you can do at your own pace and it won’t put a lot of wear and tear on your joints, especially if you stick to softer surfaces like grass or dirt.
Softball
With softball, the running isn’t the strenuous part; it’s rounding all of those bases. This means that with proper training and practice, you can play softball even if you’re not in great shape or very fast. It’s also a fairly easy sport to learn and will allow you to improve your hand-eye coordination.
Racquetball
Racquetball is one of the best sports for midlife because it’s easy on the joints and very light on the body. It also gives you a great workout which will allow you to burn calories, lose weight, and lower your blood pressure. Even if you’re new to the game, with proper instruction you’ll be able to play competently.
In conclusion, there are many great sports that you can enjoy during your midlife. As long as you’re physically capable of doing them, there’s no reason why you should miss out on fun and fitness! Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean that you have to stop playing the sports you’ve enjoyed since college.