Benefits of Squash

Squash is an exhilarating racket sport that gets your body fit and healthy, as well as being a lot of fun. When you're playing a good match you can get as much of a buzz from this sport as from any other.

Squash is fast paced; unlike some sports it seems like it never stops, mainly because of the enclosed court area. This means the ball is never far away and you never seem to have an excuse for a break. Therefore, you do need a reasonable level of fitness before starting out in the game.

One of the great benefits of squash is that it's easy to get started, it's relatively cheap and you don't have to have lessons to get going. Due to the popularity of the sport most people will know someone that plays and this is a great way to pick up the basics. Then, once you have grasped the essentials, a few lessons could be invaluable.

Furthermore as squash equipment requirements are fairly low it is not difficult to get the basic kit together to start playing. You only need a racket, balls and obviously your clothing but shorts, shirt and non-marking soled trainers are all you need to get started.

Of course if you want to improve, it's best to join a club and play against people of similar or a slightly higher standard as well as having the support of a coach to refine your skills and improve your game. It won't be long before you're hooked.

How playing squash gets your body fit

Playing squash can have a number of positive health and fitness benefits on your body. Here are some of its key exercise advantages:

• Improves aerobic fitness, with more oxygen circulated around the body to improve muscular endurance.
• Burns off calories with energy being supplied to the muscles and not forming fat.
• Boosting flexibility and sprint speed, due to the fast-paced nature of squash.
• Improves hand-eye co-ordination with concentration required for serving.
• Develops the strength and power of muscles, notably leg and arm muscles.
• Furthers concentration and mental strength, with matches often lasting for some time.
• Boosts a player's cardiovascular fitness (the heart and lungs), allowing more oxygen to be pumped around the body and help energize muscles.