(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The simple yet competitive sport of squash is one of the more enjoyable methods to get fit Photo: Agencies
I’ve got a new sporting addiction and its name is squash.
What I wrongly assumed was a game reserved for overweight bankers who belonged to country clubs and smoked Cuban cigars is actually one of the more exciting sports that I never fully appreciated until now.
Some things sort of fall into your lap so it wasn’t until realising that my building featured a dedicated racquet court that I began to take interest in the British-born sport. Also known as racquetball the game works particularly well for anyone looking to increase their stamina and shed that stubborn belly fat due to its fast-paced nature. With little space to manoeuvre you’ll find yourself jolting back and forth and working up a serious sweat in the process.
First let’s touch up on some fun facts. The sport is called squash in reference to the “squashable” hollow rubber ball used in the game (thanks Wikipedia) and came to life after a group of London students decided to make the most of their school walls after being denied access to the tennis courts by older pupils (ain’t history grand).
Getting into actual game play squash takes place inside an enclosed court of four walls with each participant taking turns hitting the ball. Points are given to the side that defaults last by missing a stroke with lines painted across the entire room designating where the ball can and cannot land.
The game requires a great deal of subtlety rather than power making for an intense cardio session that pushes every body part to the limit. Before getting into the game I was under the notion that squash basically consisted of a pair of people trapped inside a small room whose only mission was to wildly smack around a rubber device but realising the skill involved has made it all the more interesting to me and my new squash friends.
While all athletics are built on a competitive foundation there’s something about squash that takes it to another level. With walls that provide the perfect acoustics to amplify those deep guttural grunts and a room that almost feels claustrophobic tensions between players provide the perfect backdrop for a session that feels more like a battle rather than a workout.
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just beginning your journey into fitness squash provides a great way to lose weight and tone muscle while having a good time. Just take my advice and protect your face at all times.
For an extensive list of squash court locations across Dubai visit www.squashindubai.com.
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