Check out these 10 sports to help you burn calories and lose weight. Most of these sports activities can be easily carried out by those who want to burn calories, lose weight and keep fit at the same time.
However, before starting out on any of the sports mentioned below, check or consult your family doctor beforehand to ensure that you are healthy and can carry out these activities safely.
1. Football / Soccer
Football, or referred to as soccer in USA, is arguably the most popular sport in the world. It is played between two teams of 11 players each. It is easily accessible by most people as it is played on an open field, thus accounting for its popularity worldwide.
A modified form of football/soccer is futsal which is played with five players per team on a smaller, typically indoor, pitch.
There are a lot of running around the pitch to get the ball into the opponent’s net and it is certainly a very entertaining sport to be involved in. A full game lasts 90 minutes played in two sessions of 45 minutes each with a break of 15 minutes. Each session or half in futsal lasts 20 minutes.
You can expect to burn up 800+ calories after 1 hour of football/soccer.
2. Swimming
Swimming is a form of aerobic exercise and as there are many types of strokes or techniques in swimming, you can get different types of aerobic exercise in one swimming session.
Swimming pools are now readily available in many places where you can now burn hundreds of calories. Unlike many other sports activities, swimming is a low-impact form of exercise cum recreation activity with high results. And you need not swim alone as you can also swim with your family members and/or friends. You can even make new friends with strangers who happen to be swimming at the same time as you.
You can expect to burn up 800+ calories after 1 hour of swimming.
3. Basketball
Basketball is a fantastic team sport enjoyed by many people all over the world. It can help burn up your calories and build up your cardiovascular system while at the same time helping you develop team spirit, camaraderie and leadership skills amongst your team mates. Acknowledging these positives factors, many communities have built basketball courts for its people to have fun.
You can expect to burn up 700+ calories after 1 hour of playing basketball.
4. Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is one of the sports which is very physically-demanding and not readily available to everyone as a form of cardio and to burn your calories. You also need to be properly geared up and have the proper equipment. However, this is one sport which is really good in relieving stress and is very healthy as you will be breathing in very fresh country-side air.
You can expect to burn up 800+ calories after 1 hour of cross-country skiing.
5. Martial arts
When you take up martial arts, you will learn the art of self-defence while at the same time increasing your fitness levels as you will be engaging your entire body while doing so.
There are many forms of martial arts such as taekwondo, kick-boxing, karate or judo. These are generally considered the more physically active type of martials arts compared to the other passive type of martial arts such as taijiquan or qigong. It is readily accessible as it can be practised practically anywhere with what you have or are wearing at that time.
The more active martial arts such as taekwondo with its dynamic punching and kicking drills, core-strengthening exercises and stretches, block etc will help build your stamina, strength, muscle tone, appearance and overall flexibility whereas the more passive forms of martial arts such as taijiquan will help build up your inner strength and calmness.
You can expect to burn up 700+ calories after 1 hour of practising your martial arts exercises.
6. Running or jogging
One of the easiest and best sports for losing weight and which appeals to many people around the world is running or jogging. However, as it is a very high-impact sport, you will need to be properly attired, especially with proper running shoes to prevent injury to your knees and feet. At the same time, wear comfortable clothing. With running or jogging, you will see your calories burn off fast and experience increased stamina if you practise diligently and properly.
You can expect to burn up 700+ calories after 1 hour of running / jogging.
7. Cycling
One of the best cardiovascular exercises for anyone is cycling. And it is also one of the most enjoyable and exciting as well because you can get to see a lot of faraway places while cycling. However, do wear the proper gears such as a head gear and protectors for your limbs while cycling. Always exercise caution while on the road as you do not want to be involved in any accident while cycling.
You can expect to burn up 500+ calories after 1 hour of cycling.
8. Ice Skating
You might be very surprised to learn that ice skating as a form of sport or exercise is very demanding on the body. It builds muscles especially on the lower part of your body as ice skating focuses on lower-body movements. Thus, expect to see your leg muscles firm and tone up over time with regular ice skating. It helps to build body balance too.
You can expect to burn up 650+ calories after 1 hour of ice skating.
9. Volleyball
Compared to ice skating, playing volleyball will also help to strengthen the upper body, arms and shoulders as well as the muscles of the lower body such as the lower legs and thighs. As it is a very physical sport with a lot of running and jumping, playing volleyball also helps to tone and strengthen the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of the body.
Tennis can be played indoors or outdoors e.g at the beach.
You can expect to burn up 350+ calories after 1 hour of playing volleyball.
10. Tennis
Tennis is very popular worldwide. It can be played as a recreational form of activity with friends and family or as a competitive sport. As this activity requires a lot of running around to return the tennis ball to the opponent(s), ensure that you wear proper tennis shoes to prevent injury to your feet and knees. Playing tennis helps to maintain your health, strength, mobility and agility.
Other similar games are badminton, pickle ball, paddle ball and table tennis.
You can expect to burn up 400+ calories after 1 hour of playing tennis.
