On the hunt for a new pastime that could give you your regular dose of exercise? Why not give table tennis a try? Also known as ping pong, it’s a fun and challenging sport that you can engage in regardless of the weather — it’s a wonderful indoor activity although playing it outdoors is always a possibility.
What’s so nice about table tennis is it can be very exciting due to the fact that it’s a fast-paced game. Records show that the world’s fastest smash ever by a professional table tennis player is 70 miles per hour! Clearly, there is no room for boredom in a game of table tennis, so engaging in it should not feel like a drag.
There are also numerous health benefits to enjoy from table tennis other than the excitement offered by the game. Some of the most noteworthy ones include:
Burned Excess Calories
Being a fast-paced game, table tennis helps you burn excess calories — just a few minutes into the game and you’re already sweating profusely! The alternating bursts of high-speed and slow-paced moments really helps zap those calories. Undeniably, a regular game of table tennis can help you get rid of unwanted pounds.
Protected Joints
Despite of being an intense game, table tennis is actually easy on the joints. In other words, it is a low-impact exercise which is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. If you have been leading a sedentary life and you want to make a 180-degree change in direction, consider kick starting it with a regular game of table tennis.
Improved Hand-Eye Coordination
With your peepers constantly on the ball flying to and fro and your paddle hitting it each and every time, your hand-eye coordination is considerably improved. From driving to your work to typing on your computer keyboard, there are numerous life moments in which having superb hand-eye coordination matters.
Accelerated Reflexes
Experts say that regularly engaging in a game of table tennis helps develop fast-twitch muscles, which leads to speedier reflexes. Having above-average reflexes allows you to spring into action in a snap — you will definitely appreciate having such when your expensive smart phone slips your hand and you catch it just before it hits the floor!
Enhanced Balance and Flexibility
All the reaching you have to make without tumbling down actually helps enhance both your balance and flexibility. Because of this, engaging in various activities outside a game of table tennis can be more effortless, efficient and accident-free. From cleaning your home to stepping out of the bathtub, having superb balance and flexibility matters a lot.
Decreased Stress Levels
Because your mind has to be focused on nowhere else but on the ball that goes back and forth, you get to forget various life stressors. A game or two of table tennis can certainly help lower your stress levels, which is a good thing because chronic stress is linked to a host of health problems, many of them can cost you your life!
Lifted Mood
We all know that exercising helps make you feel great — it has something to do with increasing those endorphins or happy hormones in the brain. So instead of popping a pill in your mouth when you are feeling down, it’s a much better idea for you to grab your racket and some balls to drive the blues away.
Improved Social Skills
Another reason why table tennis can help ease depression is the fact that it’s something that you have to play with someone else — or a bunch of people if you intend to play doubles. Not only does this aspect of a game of table tennis help make you feel happier, but also greatly have your social skills improved.
Sources: dhisports.com
