Top 10 Health Benefits of Curling

Every four years, when the winter Olympics come around, the world is exposed to a sport that not many people see very often. Its uniqueness has drawn the curiosity of many and often sparks an interest in a desire to try the sport. And the health benefits are good for the whole body.

Here are the Top 10 from Health Fitness Revolution and author of the book ReSYNC Your Life Samir Becic:

• Aerobic fitness: Working out in the cold can burn more calories, and since curling is played on ice and players are constantly competing and running back and forth trying to hit a goal, it will definitely increase your heart rate and improve the cardiovascular system.
• Strengthens your muscles: Sliding on the ice and being in a constant squatting position strengthens the calves, glutes and quadriceps. You can also get a good core workout by practicing curling and sweeping vigorously ahead of the stone.
• Social interaction: In many communities, curling clubs are among only a few recreational resources available. It becomes a place where they can talk with others, build friendships, and take leadership roles, increasing both their confidence and resiliency when coping with challenges.
• Flexibility: The team member who delivers the stone in a curling game often stays very low to the ice before pushing the stone. Staying this low to the ice requires a great deal of flexibility.
• Speed: Like any other sport, curling on ice also requires you to train to be faster. Players slide around the rink before a game to increase their speed.
• Precision: Curling requires precision. It has been nicknamed as “chess on ice” for the amount of strategy involved in winning a game. This is one of the reasons it is so popular among both players and spectators.
• Stretching and toning legs: Stretching and toning your legs is a way the players workout before playing the game. The stretching and toning not only helps with flexibility for the game but it also carries out in day-to-day activities.
• Promotes weight-loss: Sliding on ice burns a lot of calories, yet because you are playing on ice, you don’t perspire as much. Curling requires a lot of skating back and forth, which burns calories.
• It can be done by anyone, including the disabled: Curling is a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter the age or ability. In fact, the Paralympic Games feature a Wheelchair Curling event.
• Fun and interactive: It is a sport for both men and women and is played by both adults and kids of all ages. Not only is it a great way to meet people who have the same interest in curling, but it can be a great networking medium. In addition, many people with depression turn towards curling because it’s a fun and interactive sport that opens up their social realm.

To see more of our Top 10 lists, click here.