Introduction to Badminton
A great sports for fitness, badminton is excellent for people of all ages and provides a great choice for those wanting to give a new racket sport a go. Find out all about badminton and why you should start playing.
Badminton is officially the fastest of all racket sports. Players can hit the shuttlecock at speeds of up to 180mph (288kph) toward their opponent. But, it is not just all about speed; a player can expect to run up to four miles (6.4km) around the court during a match whilst having the agility to maintain energy-busting rallies.
So, whilst stamina and agility are important, certainly at a competitive level, anyone can play badminton and the sport is a popular choice for people of all ages and fitness abilities.
So what is the appeal of badminton?
- First and foremost, the basics of badminton are not difficult to master; even new players with little or no skill can enjoy their first game and progress quickly.
- You need minimal equipment to get started playing badminton; if you choose to start off at clubs open to the public, all the equipment you will need can be borrowed or hired.
- It’s great for conditioning the body! Step out onto the badminton court and you can expect to burn 600 to 1000 calories per hour as well as testing your stamina, flexibility and coordination.
- Badminton is a social sport and offers a great way to meet new people
How to start playing badminton
If you decide that you would like to take badminton further, you might consider joining a local badminton club. Wherever you live, there are likely to be several clubs to choose from so there should be no problem finding one in your area and most are not specific about the level of skill required to join.
As far as cost is concerned, the fee to join can vary from club to club depending on facilities and the type of membership you go for. Clubs are a great way to progress your game; you can alternate who you play with as well as having the advantage of a coach to develop and perfect your skills.
Essential gear for badminton
- Footwear
- Badminton rackets
- Shuttlecocks
- Badminton sets