Each of us values different things in life. But it’s a bit surprising how often we neglect our own balance, health, and vitality. The numbers speak for themselves: only 38 percent of Germans do sports at least once a month. That’s a pretty low figure, especially considering that most people know exercise is important for overall health.
You already know that increased performance, a healthy body, and a longer life are the perfect motivators. Now you’re just looking for the right sport for you? Below you’ll find our tips to help you discover it.
The Right Sport for Every Goal
Like everything in life, we usually play sports with a certain goal in mind. Maybe you want to lose weight, boost your overall fitness, get stronger, or simply enjoy having fun and being with others.
What’s My Goal?
When deciding which sport you want to do regularly, ask yourself: “What’s my goal?”
Sports for Losing Weight
If your goal is to lose weight through exercise, sports that use as many muscle groups as possible are especially suitable. On the one hand, you want to get your whole body in shape, and on the other, you don’t want to be exhausted after just 5 minutes of training.
Weightlifting is therefore less suitable for losing weight. Instead, endurance sports are a great choice. These include classics like running, cycling, swimming, but also cross-country skiing, rowing, and mountain biking. Even skipping rope, which you might remember from childhood, is a real calorie burner and helps shed the pounds.
Another advantage: For sports like running, swimming, or skipping rope, you don’t need expensive equipment. That makes them perfect for beginners who want a simple start to their fitness journey.
Tip: Many websites offer clear overviews of the calories burned in different sports. But keep in mind these are just guidelines. Your individual burn depends on your gender, height, weight, and age.
Sports for Building Muscle
If your goal is to build muscle, it’s hard to avoid the gym. Professional equipment lets you target exactly the areas you want to work on.
If you find that too monotonous, you can also build muscle with martial arts like kickboxing or Muay Thai. These sports often use your own body weight, which works muscles you didn’t even know you had. Plus, they boost endurance, strength, and self-confidence. A trial session never hurts—maybe martial arts are just right for you!
Team Sports – For Extra Fun
People who avoid sports often say it’s just too boring to spend hours in the gym without any real motivation. Some really do feel that way, and that’s totally fine. They might be the type who value competition and being together with others more.
In team sports, it’s often much easier to find motivation, since the goal of having fun and moving together is clear and quickly achievable. At the same time, ambition and team spirit kick in, and the group dynamic becomes a great way to boost your health.
“Sports bring balance, release happy hormones, and let you really switch off for a while.”
Sports for Mental Balance
No one can argue with the health benefits of being active. Even though many athletes focus on the physical side, sports also help with mental balance, release happy hormones, and let you truly unwind. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of team sports or the gym, you might find your inner peace with one of these activities:
- Swimming
- Jogging
- Yoga
- Hiking
These activities let you focus on your breathing, your movement, and your thoughts. The right amount of positive monotony helps clear your mind and lowers your stress level—a real miracle cure after a long workday.
Unusual Sports for an Extra Kick
Are you the adventurous type? Obstacle Course Races (OCR) are totally on trend. As the name suggests, these are races over a set distance with obstacles like mud, water, and hurdles—challenging for both amateurs and pros, and a lot of fun for participants and spectators alike.
But if crawling through mud and icy water isn’t your thing, you can also try something different like bouldering or parkour.
Go for It – Trying Beats Studying
Here’s what we want you to take away: Don’t be afraid to tackle your goal of a healthier lifestyle and bring more movement into your daily routine. Ask your friends about their activities or look for trial classes and beginner courses near you. Universities often offer a wide range of sports programs for students at budget-friendly prices.
There really is something for every taste in the world of sports to help you take your well-being to the next level for the long term.
Title graphic by Khusen Rustamov.