5 Best Outdoor Sports and Recreational Activities for Exercise

Our List of Best Outdoor Sports

Our list of best outdoor sports focuses on fun, recreational sports that just about anyone can participate in. Chances are, you have already played or participated in some of these sports before. There may also be some sports on the list that you are new to, and have no experience in. Either way, the following outdoor sports and activities will give you plenty of exercise, and even improve your athletic skills, should you be looking for a fun way to train in the off season.

Tennis

If you have never played tennis before, it may seem much easier than it actually is. If you have played tennis before, you know how hard the sport actually is. Tennis is one of the best outdoor sports for many reasons. Obviously, it works your arm muscles from doing things like learning how to serve, returning serves, etc… However, the main exercise benefit comes from the tremendous amount of work put on your legs.

In all actuality, tennis is a sport of sprinting quickly, both forward, backwards, and side to side. Being able to change directions quickly is a skill needed to play many sports, and playing tennis for fun is one of the best ways to improve your agility and speed. Aside from all of that, tennis requires a tremendous amount of stamina. Every time your opponent does a short serve that hardly goes over the net, or a long serve that nearly goes out of bounds, you have to sprint to the ball. All of that running will build endurance in no time.

Golf

Some critics have been quoted as saying golf isn’t really a sport. In all reality, golf most definitely is a sport, and one of the best outdoor sports at that. If you’re not into all of the fast paced action that many sports require, you may want to give golfing a try. For the most part, golf is a low impact sport that is easier on the joints than more hardcore sports. It’s also quite enjoyable, at least according to most people who play it.

Alternatively, golf can be quite frustrating as well as competitive. Hitting a golf ball straight is much harder than it seems, and does require practice and skill.

Golfing brings the obvious benefit of increasing arm strength, but also builds leg strength as well. Because your no Jack Nicklaus, you don’t have a caddy, and carrying a bag full of clubs around for 18 holes can be a good leg workout and test of endurance.

For best results in exercise and fitness, don’t rent a golf cart next time you go to the courses. Also, drinking a lot of beer while golfing slighlty defeats the purpose of using golfing for exercise (although beer is good).

Volleyball

Beach volleyball is a summer classic, and top outdoor sport for several reasons. For the most part, volleyball has the same benefits of tennis, but is a slightly more physical sport. With volleyball, you are constantly sprinting to the ball, changing directions, and maneuvering around other players. This is a great way to build short distance speed and agility. Aside from that, volleyball requires that you jump a lot and dive for the ball, which can add even more challenge to the sport.

Playing one-on-one volleyball or team two vs. two volleyball will add more difficulty to the sport. If you are playing on a team of 5, there won’t be near as much individual work for you.

Basketball

Basketball is not only a top sport, but a top outdoor sport as well. Even though the pros play indoors, school yard basketball is just as much fun, and can be a good way to get some exercise. Much of the game of basketball is running, especially when you are playing one-on-one. If you are playing against a skilled opponent, you will have to run just as fast as him on defense, and out-move him on offense.

The main benefits of recreational basketball are leg strength, coordination, endurance, and speed.

Swimming

Swimming is a great way to get low impact, easy on the joints exercise. In fact, many athletes from other sports often take up swimming as a way to build flexibility and endurance. Because you are in the water, swimming also teaches you how to better control your breathing, which can be a significant advantage in endurance sports.

Swimming as a top outdoor sport has many variations. There are even aqua aerobics classes that focus on in-place exercise and fitness. Swimming is one of the best sports on the list, because it is a non-contact sport that puts little pressure on the joints and bones.

Other Top Outdoor Sports

Aside from the top 5 outdoor sports mentioned above, there are plenty of other outdoor sports that can be used as exercise. If none of the sports mentioned are for you, you may also want to check out:

• Jogging/Running
• Snowboarding
• Skateboarding
• Rollerblading
• Canoeing
• Football
• Soccer
• Baseball
• Softball
• Rock climbing
• Biking