Why I Love Racquetball
The sports facility where I play just put up some cool poster boards with statistics on the fitness benefits of racquetball. For many years now, I’ve played twice a week for two hours and get in at least five games. Taking into account I weigh 175, now let’s do the math…
Morgan serving up a mean game
Calories burned in 30 minutes for a 160 lb. male:
| Racquetball | 382 |
| Running (10 miles) | 360 |
| Swimming (fast freestyle) | 349 |
| Tennis | 288 |
| Weight Training | 288 |
| Bicycling | 288 |
| Aerobics (vigorous) | 256 |
Fitness Facts
- Racquetball offers both aerobic and anaerobic benefits, with both sustained high-level heart rate activity and quick burst of energy required during play.
- Racquetball works nearly every muscle group, including sustained, repetitive use of large muscles that increase calorie burn and reduce fat percentage.
- The average number of calories burned during racquetball play ranges from 640/hour to 794/hour.
- Racquetball players work at a constant rate of 75 to 85% of their maximum heart rate for the duration of a typical game.
- An average game will take 20 minutes, during which a player will run a distance of approximately 3,650 feet – or over two miles in one hour!
(Source: www.usra.org)
Not convinced? Watch this!
And, like golf, you can play forever. Check out local player, Burdette Hansen, at 80 beating someone half his age.
He’s totally sticking it to the youngster (probably in his 30s). Love it! The lesson for all Rball players is to stay healthy and strong enough to just get into the court at that age. The skill is treacherous and ageless, as Mr. Hansen clearly illustrates. What a great example for everyone. Now that’s inspiration!
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