AD Going to the gym is a popular way for adults to get and stay fit. Every year as January rolls around it sees the exercise machines full and classes with waiting lists, but by Easter the gym is far quieter. If so many people have getting fit, losing weight or being healthy as New Year's resolutions why do so many fail to stick with them? One reason may be that for many people working out in a gym isn’t exciting or rewarding enough. If you want to find a way to get healthier that you will stick with then it could be time to think again about those sports you did at school.

The Benefits of Playing Your Childhood Sports as an Adult

School sports are worth revisiting as an adult

Whether you loved or hated sports at school, throw that nostalgia aside and think again. From tennis to hockey there is a reason schools encourage children to play these games rather than take part in aerobic classes or hit the treadmill. They are a great way to make friends, improve communication, develop strategic thinking, quick reflexes, reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing, as well as keeping fit. So open your mind to developing new skills and think about which of these sports you would like to revisit.

Tennis

For many Brits the image of tennis may be linked to strawberries, Pimms and posh outfits at Wimbledon, but it is a great game to play all year round with both indoor and outdoor courts available. While indoor space might require a club membership, many council parks have tennis courts available for low cost hire or free use.

Tennis is great for building upper body strength and quick responses combined with a cardio workout. Whether you want to go for comfort or style check out everything from womens tennis clothes to mens tracksuits from adidas to help you look the part.

Hockey

Hockey is a good way to build cardiovascular fitness, strength, and agility. While there are plenty of rinks where you can sign up to play ice hockey, the more popular sport in the UK is the one many of us played at school which doesn’t involve ice. At school you probably played on muddy pitches, but for adult teams the game is more often played on all weather surfaces or inside courts. This means you can play all year round without going anywhere near mud.

Football

One of the big benefits of football is that it doesn’t require much equipment. Head to the park and you will see countless groups of friends playing with nothing, but a ball and some jumpers or water bottles marking out the goal.

If you have children football is a great choice as it’s easy to play with them, but if you want a more competitive approach then there are many football clubs for both men and women which welcome new members.

Rounders

Rounders has never been as popular in the UK as the similar sport of baseball is in America, but don’t let that put you off. If you can find a local team you will get to enjoy a season of fun, building friendships and being active.

Netball

There are netball teams for men and women all over the country. This fast paced game builds agility, stamina and coordination. It’s also a great team sport that develops camaraderie between players. Just like football and hockey good communication between players helps win matches so the closer the team the more success it can have.

Swimming

Unlike the other sports in this list swimming doesn’t require you to join a team or compete against anyone. As long as you have access to a pool you can swim at your own pace, but if you want to add a competitive element you can sign up for races. Swimming is a great choice if you want a low impact exercise that supports your joints or if you want a sport that will fit round your schedule.



By taking up a sport you once played at school you will soon discover that not only are you improving your fitness, but you are having fun and making new friends too. You won’t want to let your team down by missing a practice or matches so you will keep motivated long after you might have given up going to the gym.