By Health Fitness Revolution –
April 17, 2015
Every four years, when the winter Olympics come around, the world is exposed to a sport that not many people see very often. Its uniqueness has drawn the curiosity of many and often sparks an interest in a desire to try the sport. And the health benefits are good for the whole body. Here are the Top 10 Health Benefits of Curling:
1 Aerobic fitness: Working out in the cold can burn more calories, and since curling is played on ice and players are constantly competing and running back and forth trying to hit a goal, it will definitely increase your heart rate and improve the cardiovascular system.
2 Strengthens your muscles: Sliding on the ice and being in a constant squatting position strengthens the calves, glutes and quadriceps. You can also get a good core workout by practicing curling and sweeping vigorously ahead of the stone.
3 Social interaction: In many communities, curling clubs are among only a few recreational resources available. It becomes a place where they can talk with others, build friendships, and take leadership roles, increasing both their confidence and resiliency when coping with challenges.
4 Flexibility: The team member who delivers the stone in a curling game often stays very low to the ice before pushing the stone. Staying this low to the ice requires a great deal of flexibility.
5 Speed: Like any other sport, curling on ice also requires you to train to be faster. Players slide around the rink before a game to increase their speed.
6 Precision: Curling requires precision. It has been nicknamed as “chess on ice” for the amount of strategy involved in winning a game. This is one of the reasons it is so popular among both players and spectators.
7 Stretching and toning legs: Stretching and toning your legs is a way the players workout before playing the game. The stretching and toning not only helps with flexibility for the game but it also carries out in day-to-day activities.
8 Promotes weight-loss: Sliding on ice burns a lot of calories, yet because you are playing on ice, you don’t perspire as much. Curling requires a lot of skating back and forth, which burns calories.
9 It can be done by anyone, including the disabled: Curling is a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter the age or ability. In fact, the Paralympic Games feature a Wheelchair Curling event.
10 Fun and interactive: It is a sport for both men and women and is played by both adults and kids of all ages. Not only is it a great way to meet people who have the same interest in curling, but it can be a great networking medium. In addition, many people with depression turn towards curling because it’s a fun and interactive sport that opens up their social realm.