| How do you know which recreational sport is right for | | | | These tools, facilities or equipment may also vary |
| you? Though this is a simple question, it may not have | | | | depending on the needs of every person. For example |
| a simple answer. Before answering this question, it | | | | if you want to play golf for recreation, you will definitely |
| makes sense to define what a recreational sport is. In | | | | have to purchase a golf club, balls and perhaps shoes. |
| layman terms, a recreational sport is any sport activity | | | | You will also need an available and accessible golf |
| or event that one engages in during leisure time. In | | | | course to play. In some cases if you have more than |
| other words, it is a sport activity or event performed | | | | one favorite recreational sport, you may have to |
| primarily for entertainment and fun. Though in some | | | | choose what is more convenient based on availability |
| cases there may be monetary rewards associated | | | | of facilities. It makes more sense to go running at a |
| with recreational sport, it is not usually the main goal. | | | | nearby track especially if you get off work late in the |
| Other reasons associated with participating in a | | | | evenings than having to drive for several miles to get |
| recreational sport includes: fitness, health, socialization, | | | | to a golf course (i.e. if you like both golf and running). |
| competition and sport support among others. | | | | 4.Availability of time: Since a recreational sport is a |
| There are several options of recreational sports | | | | pastime sport, choosing the right one may be dictated |
| available for all age categories ranging from indoor to | | | | by how much free time is at one’s disposal. Some |
| outdoor. Making the decision on which choice to pursue | | | | recreational sports are more time consuming than |
| can be a real challenge and this varies significantly | | | | others. Additionally some of these sports must only be |
| from one person to the other. For former professional | | | | played outside. Where as some sports such as |
| athletes, the decision may be easier especially if they | | | | running, jogging, walking, playing tennis, playing |
| continue participating in their particular former | | | | basketball or swimming offers both indoor and outdoor |
| professional sports, only at recreational level. The big | | | | options, some of them, for example playing golf, hiking, |
| task of choosing the right recreational sport is | | | | kayaking, surfing among other don’t. The more time |
| however on beginners. In order to make the right | | | | one has, the more the options to choose from and the |
| choice(s) if you are a beginner, it is important to | | | | vice versa. |
| consider the following general guidelines: | | | | 5.Seasonality: Though this may not be a big deal for |
| 1.Choose a sport that you understand and passionate | | | | people living along the equatorial climatic regions, it |
| about: Recreational sport in a way becomes part of | | | | definitely affects people living in areas with winter and |
| your lifestyle and therefore needs to be entertaining | | | | summer season. Some recreational sports such as |
| and enjoyable. Choosing something that you don’t | | | | those requiring snow may only be available during |
| like or have no knowledge about can be frustrating | | | | winter and only in some parts of the world. So if skiing |
| even if your friends adore it. It only makes sense to | | | | is the only favorite recreational sport that one can |
| pursue something that you know the rules and | | | | participate in, it means there will be nothing to do for |
| regulations of the sport or game. However, this does | | | | most of the year i.e. during the other seasons. When |
| not mean one cannot learn a new sport or game, but it | | | | deciding on the right sport for recreation, it is advisable |
| easier to do so if you love the sport. | | | | to have more than one option especially in a situation |
| 2.Consider your goals and objectives: As mentioned | | | | where one is affected by seasonal changes. |
| above, there are different reasons that drive people | | | | 6.Number of participants required: Where as most |
| into recreational sports. Choosing a sport that is in line | | | | recreational sports require participation of more than |
| with your goals, for example losing weight will only | | | | one person at one time, some can be pursued |
| enrich the overall recreational experience. Some one | | | | individually. If your schedule doesn’t allow group or |
| looking for a recreational sport to aid in cutting down | | | | team participation, choosing a sport that will enable you |
| some extra body weight may benefit from running, | | | | to participate alone is a good idea. Jogging, walking, |
| jogging, walking, hiking or swimming among other high | | | | swimming, biking and running are great examples. |
| calorie burning sport activities as opposed to playing | | | | As mentioned earlier, this is not an exhaustive list of |
| cards or video games. On the other hand somebody | | | | guidelines, but it is only meant to give you an idea of |
| looking for a recreational sport that favors socialization | | | | how to pick the best sport that will make your |
| may benefit from the latter. | | | | recreational life a success. Remember the bottom line |
| 3.Facilities, tools and equipment required: Different | | | | is fun and entertainment. |
| recreational sports may require different tools, facilities | | | | Have a great recreational sports life. |
| or equipment or in some cases may require none at all. | | | | |