Tennis is a popular sport that is played by millions of people all over the globe. According to data from the Physical Activity Council’s Participation (PAC) report, there were 21.64 million people playing the sport in the U.S. alone as of 2020. Whether it’s played as a fun form of exercise or professionally to compete in tournaments, it’s a sport that attracts people from all walks of life.
The original game began in the 12th century as a French handball game called “jeu de paume.” A racquet was later added to the game, as well as different court surfaces. Today, it’s considered a cool and fashionable sport, which is why people of all shapes and sizes play. Besides being a trendy form of exercise, it can also be used as a weapon in the U.S. to help fight the obesity crisis that millions struggle with.
Here are some reasons why tennis is good for weight loss.
1. Calorie Burning
Tennis is a great exercise for burning lots of calories. When you play tennis, your heart works faster to pump more oxygen into your blood system because you’re constantly moving around the court. Your arms and legs are engaged while trying to run down the ball, thus raising your heart rate and burning more calories. In a singles tennis match, the average person burns 575-775 calories per hour. Generally speaking, when the number of calories you burn is more than the number of calories you eat, you’ll lose weight. Therefore, calorie burning is best combined with eating a proper healthy diet to make the most out of this formula.
2. Enjoyable Exercise
Losing weight is better when you’re enjoying the process and experiencing progress. In a blog post by WeightWatchers on weight loss plans for men, the article explains that plans work best when the subject enjoys outdoor activities, and tennis is a great way to achieve that. Also, HBR reports men are more competitive, adding an additional layer to tennis’s weight loss opportunities. It’s a sport, so winning is naturally the goal, and when men win, it increases confidence and self-esteem. Who wouldn’t enjoy playing tennis, losing weight and increasing confidence, all at the same time?
3. All-Inclusive Sport
Tennis is an all-inclusive sport as both men and women play, and they can even team up and play against each other in a mixed-doubles competition. This is very common, even in the pros, just like the time when Dominika Cibulkova admitted to picking John Isner as her ideal mixed-doubles partner. Mixed doubles can be extremely useful when you and your friend (or significant other) are both trying to lose weight as you can support each other by teaming up on the court and helping each other lose the pounds. Tennis also has a social aspect which can act as a support group for your weight loss program through the people you meet and connect with while playing, watching or even just talking about tennis.
4. Total FitnessSport
Tennis is more than just a sport that burns calories. It’s a full-body workout that helps improve flexibility, speed, and hand-eye coordination. Flexibility is used every time you stretch to execute a swing; speed is tested as you chase down your opponent’s shots, and your hand-eye coordination is tested and improved as you skilfully get into the right position by adjusting your body to hit the ball in the sweet spot every time. In addition, agility, strength and stamina are also tested and exercised with every game. All in all, it literally is a full mind and body workout, making you a better sportsperson every time you leave the court.
Millions of people enjoy playing tennis, and most partake in the sport just because it’s fun. Who knew there are so many other benefits, especially being able to help one take control of their weight and get in shape? With these added benefits, you’ll enjoy tennis even more!
