The Fitness Benefits of Racquetball
The sports facility where I play recently put up some poster boards with statistics on the fitness benefits of racquetball. I’ve been playing twice a week for years, usually for two hours, getting in at least five games per session. Now, let’s crunch some numbers!
Calories Burned in 30 Minutes (for a 160 lb. Male)
| Activity | Calories Burned |
|---|---|
| Racquetball | 382 |
| Running (10 mph) | 360 |
| Swimming (fast freestyle) | 349 |
| Tennis | 288 |
| Weight Training | 288 |
| Bicycling | 288 |
| Aerobics (vigorous) | 256 |
Morgan serving up a mean game
Fitness Facts
- Racquetball provides both aerobic and anaerobic benefits, requiring sustained high-intensity activity along with short bursts of explosive movement.
- It engages nearly every muscle group, with repetitive use of large muscles that boost calorie burn and reduce body fat.
- The average number of calories burned ranges from 640 to 794 per hour.
- Racquetball players maintain a heart rate of 75-85% of their maximum throughout a typical game.
- A single game lasts about 20 minutes, during which a player runs approximately 3,650 feet—or over two miles per hour.
(Source: www.usra.org)
Need More Proof? Watch This!
And if you think racquetball is only for the young, think again. Check out local player Burdette Hansen, still dominating at 80—against someone half his age!
He’s absolutely schooling the youngster (probably in his 30s). I love it!
The takeaway? Stay fit and strong enough to keep stepping onto the court, no matter your age. Racquetball is a game of skill, endurance, and lifelong competitiveness, as Mr. Hansen so clearly demonstrates. Now that’s inspiration!