Paintball as a Sport: Healthy Benefits of Playing Paintball
By: Benedict Smythe
Submitted: 2008-08-02 04:49:51 | Word Count: 531
Some paintball addicts are arguing that it is not a game, but a sport in its own right. Being healthy and fit will definitely help you in your game and as well as other sports; paintball definitely has benefits that can help you improve your health and well being.
It’s already a given that in competing in any kind of sport, eating well and having enough exercise will help. Playing paintball can drain all your energy, so be prepared to endure it. After a game, players are often too tired and may experience body sores. Being more fit will counter these after effects.
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The proper paintball exercise can give you equal doses of cardiovascular training, strength training and running workout. Exercise at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes in preparation for your actual paintball exercises. You can mix and match different kinds of exercises in one day, for example you can jog and do cardio workout in one session.
Cardio workouts improve your endurance. After a few weeks of doing continuous cardio exercises, you will start noticing different changes in yourself. You are stronger and don’t tire out that easily as before. Running on the treadmill or riding a stationary bike can improve your strength and endurance also.
If you don’t use the gym, you can jog or ride a bike. When you’re in your home, run up and down the stairs, use exercise videos or tune in to the fitness channel. Mix and match different exercises so you don’t get bored with doing one form of exercise. Just do everything that you can to keep your heart pumping!
Building up your endurance is also important since paintball will keep you up and about while running in different directions. Speed is important but endurance is more important. You want to keep your speed throughout the whole session. Practice both speed running and distance running. Try to run at least 3 miles. Speed running will improve your speed and sprinting abilities which is important in paintball.
Paintball will require you to be fast while lugging around a paintball gun and with all the safety gear. Strength is important in carrying all these extra weight with you. Paintball is not just concerned with running. You also do crawling, diving, sprinting and shooting. Do strength training exercises at least three times a week to keep up with the demands of paintball.
If you want to build up muscles, then you need to concentrate on certain parts of your body to do this. Strengthen your legs because you will be using them 80 of the time in playing paintball. Another area of importance is your back, having strong back muscles will improve your strength.
Paintball also requires strong abdominal muscles. But, you don’t need a six pack to play paintball. To build up abdominal muscles, try to do some squats, leg lifts and lunges. Crunches also strengthen your core.
Diet is also important in playing paintball. Eat healthy. Drink lots of fluids like water and other sports drinks, running around during the game will get you dehydrated so it’s better to stock up on fluids before the game.
