The air is filled with excitement as the Tokyo Olympics kicks off this season. The postponed date of the event has only increased the anticipation and so far, the event has entertained and inspired many of us. Each sport has shown off the best the world has to offer and that could be a sign to get started to join in on the excitement. While certain activities may seem rather a niche, there are a plethora of activities in the Olympics that could light a fire in you to get fit and hone your skills on any of the crafts. Here are some of the most popular Olympic game exercises you or anyone else can do.
Best Olympic game exercises
Tennis
One of the classics and a sport that definitely warrants a try. Tennis and other racket sports have a fine balance of needing to understand the fundamental technique, not needing many players, and are extremely cost-effective. To become good at Tennis requires nothing short of a court, a racket with tennis balls, and a dedicated training partner. Tennis requires basic fitness, but that can easily be trained with enough commitment. Tennis has one of the most thriving scenes in global competitions outside of the Olympics and is worth getting involved in just for its healthy community alone.
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Archery
While archery may not be the cheapest hobby, the amount of skill you can cultivate with the bow and arrow can seem almost limitless if you’re willing to put in the hours. While endurance gets to take a backseat for this sport, stamina is still relatively important here. Bows have poundage and pulling the string back while lining up the shot requires a steady hand, concentrated breathing, and muscle endurance on your back. While professionals make it look easy, the skill floor for this activity to look at. If you have a knack for picking up mechanically complex hobbies that require your full attention, archery could be the sport for you.
Basketball
Basketball has one of the biggest following out of all sports and is a hobby that won’t be running out of players anytime soon. All that’s needed is a court with a few friends and you’re ready to start a game! While basketball is often outshined by other sports in the Olympics, the off-season is where you’ll see your investment in the sport pay off. The beauty of the game is that you could play it alone if you want to. Practicing layups, three-pointers, and other drills are great for honing your skills.
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Judo
There are multiple martial arts represented in the Olympics, but Judo is our recommended pick. Judo is a sport that is good for those who aren’t about aggression but are still interested in defending themselves. The art revolves around using the opponent's weight against them which makes for a very reactive style of martial arts. Strikes are not as prevalent, however, stamina and endurance are crucial when it comes to improving. Being gi-based, grading is a thing and progress is more quantifiable which can be good for newer fighters to gauge their progress.
Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball has always carried a casual tone and seeing it represented in the Olympics shouldn’t get in the way of that. While the technique is important for the sport, volleyball incentives polished coordination over heroic dives and glorious spikes. The beach is a wonderful place to start as the sand is the perfect starting ground to be more adventurous with your movement and your leaps in the midst of heated exchanges. Volleyball has distinctive roles teams can follow to understand their positions better, and it will be helpful for participants to see what fits them the best.
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Roller Skating
Otherwise known as Roller Speed Skating in the Olympics, roller skating can be picked up without necessarily making things a competition. An unorthodox sport that can double as a mode of transportation for the daring, roller skating could be the adventurous alternative for those who have had their minds set on biking instead. Rollerblading also fits into this category and both require balance, decent hand-eye coordination, and a decent understanding of acceleration and braking. If you’re keen to give this a shot, be sure to wear protection at all times.
Fencing
Like Judo, fencing is a sport that teaches more than fitness techniques. Fencing requires precise movements that determine how easy it is for your opponent to score against you. It is best to take fencing up as a class as the sport is more layered than most give it credit for. The outfit may get a little stuffy, but the intensity of the craft and the robust global community will make this experience an insightful one.
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Kayaking
Kayaking is a sport that can range from being a zen way to spend your time to a mad race between you and your friend. Kayaking is an upper-body buster that will take your shoulders, arms, and chest for a workout unlike any other. Kayaking can easily be rented and practice will certainly make you a master of rivers in no time. However, if your location doesn’t permit kayaking, this hobby could be a little harder to pick up than some of the others on the list.
Honorable Mentions
Ultimately, the Olympics is a platform for the best athletes to gather and test their mettle against each other in a series of grueling competitions. While swimming, cycling, and running are classic fitness routines that are done daily; the setting of the Olympics adds win conditions that prioritize speed as the metric for participants to follow.
These three sports are commonly done on a casual level; where fitness and results commonly supersede timing records. We certainly recommend all three for a good workout, but not as much if you’re hoping to emulate an olympian you saw on television.