For a Full Body Workout, Try Squash!

Want to burn a ton of calories and have fun while doing it? Who doesn’t right? Well let me tell you about  a little game I’ve just been introduced to, a game called squash. Talk about a calorie burn, have you ever done suicides? Remember those from high school? You have to do an all out run to a certain spot and then you quickly turn around and run in the opposite direction? Squash is similar in that you’re doing an all out run for the ball in one direction and then the next second you’re running to the back of the court, or over to the side, or up to the front, you’re all over the place, especially if your partner is crafty enough to hit the ball exactly where they want it, which is exactly where you don’t want it!

Squash has gained in popularity over the years and it’s no surprise why. The benefits are that of an aerobic workout. Squash helps to:

• Improve cardiovascular health (You are going to be running all over the place expending quick, short bursts of energy, like interval training)
• Increase strength and fitness
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Increase flexibility and strength in the back (anyone have back pain? This is a great way to strengthen those back muscles!)
• Promote good coordination, agility and flexibility.

Many people think that squash and racquetball are pretty much the same thing. While you need a ball, a racquet and a court for both games, the two are very different. One of the biggest differences, besides the rules, is the ball that is used. In squash the ball is smaller and less bouncy, which means the ball isn’t coming to you, you have to get yourself to the ball. That right there intensifies the workout.

In racquetball, since the ball is bigger and bounces more, the ball will likely to come to you, thus causing you to exert less energy. Now don’t get me wrong, racquetball is a great workout too, but there is a definite difference in how you attack the ball, and in squash, the ball ain’t coming to you and that makes all the difference. You’ve got to hightail it to the ball or you’re losing that point. I have certainly noticed an increase in my heart rate while playing squash and I need to be much more agile and flexible than in racquetball if I’m going to win. (Which I haven’t yet. It seems that my husband has picked up the game quicker than I have!)

Regardless, it’s a great sport and provides a great workout. If you’re looking to liven things up a bit, make new friends and burn tons of calories, then I highly recommend picking up a squash racquet and finding a court in your area.