Table of Contents
- Hyrox: Merging Fitness Training with Running
- Krav Maga: An Israeli Origin Martial Art
- CrossFit: The Synergy of Stamina and Power
- Swim Run: Land and Water Adventure Sport
- Paddle Tennis: Popular in the USA, Gaining Recognition here
- Five Challenging Sports That Deliver Tangible Impact
There's a fundamental principle for sports enthusiasts: It must be enjoyable. It might seem straightforward, but many times, this aspect is neglected. I engage in workouts up to five times a week, not due to obligation but because I revel in it. Whether it's cycling, weightlifting, or running occasionally, what's crucial is that I derive pleasure from my physical activities. My path to regular exercise wasn't straightforward; it was littered with failed attempts and extensive break periods. It wasn't until I discovered sports suitable for me and my lifestyle that I transformed into a consistent athlete. Although I might fancy playing tennis regularly, my schedule doesn't allow for it. Moreover, dancing appeals as a health-promoting activity, but it wouldn't be entertaining for me.
Over the years, I've written extensively about fitness trends. The motivation to exercise has taken various forms, such as "you must", "you should", and "it's healthy for you". However, I'm confident that these persuasions have failed to instill a regular exercise habit in anyone. The inverse truth lies in "enjoyment". To discover your true passion in sports, you must explore numerous possibilities. To send out some inspiration, we've collected five sports that we think merit trials.
Hyrox: Merging Fitness Training with Running
Behind the name is a relatively new sport co-created by hockey Olympic champion Moritz Fürste, who questioned the absence of a competition for fitness enthusiasts. The answer was Hyrox. At its core lies a fitness race, now traversing various cities worldwide. Athletes embark on an 8km run punctuated by a 1km stretch on a ski ergometer, pushing and pulling a heavy sled, 80 meters of burpees with a jump, 1000 meters of rowing, 200 meters with two heavy kettlebells, 100 meters of lunges with a weight around the neck, and finally, throwing a medicine ball at a target 75 times at a height of 3 meters. Sounds daunting? Absolutely.
However, it's explicitly designed for everyone, as long as the participant has a basic fitness level, is able to run, and jump. There's no time limit or wagons at the races, and around 99% of participants complete the course. The quickest complete it in under an hour, the slowest in almost five hours. Even individuals over 70 participate, and each performance is celebrated.
The success of the Hyrox race series is immense. Events sell out quickly, and numerous fitness studios offer courses to best prepare for the race. Since both strength and endurance are required, this sport offers a comprehensive workout.
Krav Maga: An Israeli Origin Martial Art
Krav Maga: Contact Combat Sport originating from Israel
Krav Maga is a self-defense martial art that originated in Israel. Translated as "contact combat" in Hebrew, this sport encompasses striking and kicking techniques, grappling, leveraging, and ground fighting. To put it bluntly, savagery is required to truly appreciate this discipline. Krav Maga traces its roots back to the Israeli military and has since spread worldwide. Krav Maga improves endurance, strength, and reaction time. It also tests the psyche, as many exercises are performed under duress, simulating threatening situations, from which one must then escape. Sure, it induces sweat, but it also generates a lot of adrenaline.
CrossFit: The Synergy of Stamina and Power
For those seeking a workout that combines stamina and strength, CrossFit is ideal. This sport hails from the USA and is currently exceptionally popular. It seamlessly integrates stamina and strength training in one-hour sessions under the guidance of trainers. Born in the 90s in the USA as a training method for firefighters, soldiers, and police officers, it later became known as CrossFit. Today, it's estimated that around five million people globally engage in CrossFit training.
This full-body workout entails squats, pull-ups, push-ups, rowing, and wall ball shots, each crammed into compressed sessions. CrossFit-style interval training is intense but also effective, as it minimizes muscle loss, a natural occurrence as we age. The earlier we start, the better.
Swim Run: Land and Water Adventure Sport
Few people have heard of this sport, and understanding its complexity is reasonable. But the fun is immense. Swim Run is an endurance sport that encompasses swimming and running disciplines. The concept was born from a Swedish bet to navigate islands. The principle is straightforward: run until you reach a lake, then swim across it.
Since 2006, Swim Run competitions have occurred, including an annual event in Stockholm where participants face numerous islands and swim various distances. The total swimming distance is ten kilometers, and the running distance is 65 kilometers. However, numerous events take place in Germany. Swimming beyond these events necessitates training with a partner to offer assistance during emergencies in the water.
Paddleball: Booming in the States, Gathering Steam Elsewhere
Being a previous tennis aficionado, I've found a new love in this game. The concept is somewhat similar to tennis, yet, it involves smaller courts with compact rackets devoid of strings. Whereas wooden rackets used to be common, their modern-day counterparts are usually crafted from plastic. This sport has gained considerable traction in Spain, South America, and the United States. The court layout shares a striking resemblance with that of tennis, and in certain versions, the surrounding court walls even become an integral part of the game.
Paddleball can be enjoyed as a solo endeavor or with a partner in doubles. Its roots trace back over a century. It's widely believed that Reverend Frank Peer Beal was the mastermind behind its creation. In New York City, seeking a thrilling pastime for youngsters, he developed the initial paddleball courts in 1915, which were located in Washington Square Park. Nowadays, courts are primarily constructed from concrete, and the scoring system follows the same format as tennis. Moreover, an increase in indoor and outdoor facilities dedicated to this popular sport is being witnessed in Germany as well.
After discovering the thrill of Hyrox, I decided to participate in a local event. Hyrox offers a unique blend of fitness training and running, making it an enjoyable and comprehensive workout.
With its origins in Israel, Krav Maga is a martial art that combines striking, kicking, grappling, and ground fighting for a intense and adrenaline-pumping experience. However, I was more drawn to the challenging yet enjoyable nature of Hyrox.
