Racquetball Benefits ∓mp;mp;mp;mp;mp; Cautions
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Easy to learn | Calorie-burning | Some risk
Great for tension | Cost and convenience
Some things to keep in mind if you're thinking about taking up racquetball:
Easy to Learn, Fun to Do
Racquetball is the easiest of the racquet sports. It is a much faster and more forgiving game than tennis, and in most cases, guarantees you a better workout in a shorter amount of time. Racquetball
isn't really a conditioning sport, and your heart and lungs will be in better shape if you use traditional aerobic sports -- such as
running, walking, cycling, swimming, But racquetball is an
off-the-wall game that is tough to beat for sheer fun.
Burns Calories, Builds Muscle
A good game of racquetball puts all your muscle groups to work, building strength and endurance. And you can burn 650-750 calories an hour if you're a fairly skilled player and you play against
someone just as good at keeping the ball in play. The catch is that as your level of playing improves, your activity level may actually go down; games between advanced players often comes down to
killer serves, power shots and very short volleys.
Racquetball Involves Some Risk
Racquetball is a draw to out-of-shape people who want to have fun and work up a sweat because it's so simple to learn and easy to enjoy. The problem is, racquetball is also a vigorous, demanding
game with lots of running, hitting, turning and twisting, which puts stress on muscles, ligaments and joints that may not be strong enough or flexible enough to take the strain. So stretch and
strengthen to reduce your own risks, and don't crash into walls or play with crazy people who might hit you with their racquet rather than miss a shot.
Great for Tension
Batting a bouncy little racquetball around a court for an hour or so is a splendid way to relieve tension and stress.
Cost And Convenience
You can't just run out and play racquetball the way you can take a run or jump on your bike. It involves finding a suitable partner and paying for court time. On the other hand, it's a great game,
especially for families.
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Racquetball
History
Racquetball is a fast-paced game that requires endurance, skill and body control. It was developed on a handball court in the early 1950s by a man named Joe Sobek, who vigorously
promoted his game of "paddle racquets" at YMCAs across the country.
But people didn't really start trading in their handball gloves for racquets until about 1968, when the first National Paddle Rackets Tournament was organized in Milwaukee. That event gave rise to
the popularity of the string racquet over the previously used solid-wood style. The following year, the International Racquetball Association was formed, and in 1973, a second organization was
created to monitor the sport, the U.S. Racquetball Association.
Today, 9 million amateurs play the game, and 3,500 racquetball facilities dot the Americas, Europe and Japan. Tournaments are conducted worldwide, including at least 20 annual professional
competitions.
Racquetball aficionados enjoy the sport for its fast-pace and intense workout; it doesn't take much longer than 30 minutes to get some vigorous exercise. And, unlike tennis, it is a racquet-sport
that is not steeped in tradition and formalities. Rather, it is more a casual, though very challenging, activity.
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