The right way to Begin Squash With out Wanting Like an Fool

Twenty years in the past, Forbes rated squash because the world’s greatest sport for health, forward of rowing, mountaineering, cross-country snowboarding and swimming. It rated squash for endurance, muscle energy, flexibility and a low threat of harm.

Since then, other fitness magazines have given squash the thumbs up – so, throughout the pandemic, I made a decision to offer the sport a strive.

I’m a really common tennis participant and, after I say common, I imply actually common. Squash, I believed, should be simpler. It’s a smaller courtroom. There’s much less working about chasing misplaced balls, and it’s inside, so that you don’t want to fret in regards to the climate.

Effectively, two years on and I can undoubtedly say that squash has bought my vote over tennis for all the explanations above, plus extra.

I discover it’s extra enjoyable than tennis. It’s sooner, and – in simply half-hour – you get an amazing exercise and also you’re performed.

I’m undecided it’s a better sport than tennis, however I feel it’s a sport with longevity. There are male squash champions over 80 however only a few girls nonetheless taking part in over the age of 70. So, if you happen to’ve by no means received a sports activities competitors, this may very well be your probability.

Having simply made the newbie’s journey, listed below are my high ten suggestions for beginning squash with out wanting like an fool.

Buddy Up

Like most issues in life, it’s simpler to start out one thing new with a pal or associate.

Heat Up

Though there’s much less threat of harm on a squash courtroom than in different sports activities, it’s essential to heat up your muscle tissues earlier than you begin working round. Jog up and down a number of lengths of the courtroom and stretch these hamstrings.

Take a Few Classes

Though squash seems to be like tennis, it’s a unique racquet motion. It’s much less about energy and extra about placement. A coach will present you the way.

Watch How the Execs Do It

Good gamers can learn the courtroom and work out the place the ball is more likely to go subsequent. It’s just a little bit like chess, however with a ball.

Be part of a Membership, Ideally with a Girls’s Group

Squash is historically a person’s sport, however increasingly more golf equipment are investing in girls’s teams. It’s a a lot gentler begin if you happen to play with different girls, and never all about thrashing your opponent from the get go.

Spend money on a Squash Racket and Footwear

Though you don’t want a lot package, you do want sneakers that received’t mark the courtroom and a squash racket. It’s smaller than a tennis racquet.

Watch Your Opponent on Court docket

In tennis, it’s eyes to the entrance to observe the ball coming over the online. In squash, a part of the magic is in studying the place your opponent goes subsequent.

Discover Your Native Court docket

US Squash has a useful courtroom locator state by state.

Give Your self a Break

You don’t must be a pure to get higher. Like most issues, your abilities will enhance over time.

You Can Apply on Your Personal

Plenty of squash gamers will ebook a courtroom and simply follow totally different pictures on their very own.

Don’t be delay in case your native membership simply has quite a lot of males taking part in. There will likely be a membership that’s growing squash on the neighborhood stage for everybody via US Squash’s Community Initiative.

I’ve written earlier than about 101 ideas to live a longer and healthier life, and common train is on the high of the checklist. So, even when squash is just not for you, it’s well worth the experiment to discover a sport that fits you.

The place’s your closest squash courtroom? Are you aware somebody prepared to start out the sport with you? What’s the perfect time of the day so that you can play? Are you able to borrow a racquet and a pair of sneakers to offer squash a strive?