The sports hall here at Barrow Park Leisure Centre is put to many uses – there are four badminton courts, and it’s marked out for netball, basketball, short tennis and 5-a-side football.
You can hire a single court, or the whole hall for regular weekly bookings, casual bookings every now and again, or for big events.
It’s also used for roller discos, and gymnastics and is often the venue for children’s parties at weekends.
Physical and mental benefits of being active
Countless research projects have shown that physical activity is extremely important to health and wellbeing and can help in the prevention, treatment, and management of a range of health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, obesity and many more conditions.
Being active also improves feelings of wellbeing, boosts self-confidence, improves sleep and helps with stress management. And it’s a great way of meeting new people and having fun!
Racquet sports are up there with the best when it comes to the activities you can do to boost your physical and mental health. Research has also shown they can help you live longer!
In a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the authors concluded that people who played racquet sports regularly had a 47% less chance of dying from what they called ‘all-cause mortality’ than people who were not physically active.
It wasn’t a ‘flash in the pan’ study, either. It followed 80,000 adults over nine years and showed racquet sports reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and heart attack by 56% (the percentages for swimming and aerobic exercises were not to be sniffed at – 41% and 36% respectively).
Why is this? All racquet sports provide both aerobic and anaerobic exercise that builds players’ ability to stay active and move for longer, while also being able to do shorter, intense bursts of activity, which is great for both your heart and blood vessels.
Tips for improving your racquet sports
Technique is a major factor in all racquet sports, where speed and focus also play a vital role.
For example, in badminton, where even the way you hold the racquet can impact your game, improving your own technique can benefit a lot from watching other players – videos of professional players are good – to help you practice shots and moves.
Shadow play can be very useful, too. That’s when a player moves and takes shots but without a shuttle. Once you’re happy with your technique on the various moves, join a partner and put a shuttle back in the practice.
Another tip is to work on your hold by using a pretty heavy badminton (or squash) racket and try to hit and return several shuttles. This works all your hand muscles.
Table tennis
It might sound obvious, but ensure you practice more than you compete. You will benefit greatly from finding a regular practice partner, even more than one.
Other tips include:
• Maintain a good ‘ready’ position – always be ready to spring.
• Use your whole body when you play your forehand.
• Keep returns low over the net.
• Work on improving your sidespin serves.
• Understand the spin coming from your opponent.
Short tennis
A version of tennis, short tennis has a shorter court, the net and rackets are smaller and the ball softer. It’s perfect for children or if you want a slower pace. It can be a brilliant introduction to full tennis, which is one of the most difficult sports to master and why the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) recommends finding a qualified coach.
But as with tennis, your short tennis will improve if you master the fundamental strokes, master a tennis toss (the forerunner of a tennis serve) and work on your speed, strength and endurance. Most of all though, include some fun in your practice!
‘It’s made a huge difference to my stamina and mobility’
Virginia, who’s 52 and now a badminton regular, says…
“I started playing as a way to improve my health and to have an enjoyable activity to share with friends and family. One of the main reasons I love playing is because it allows me to do both of those things.
“What keeps me motivated to keep on playing is being invited to play by my friends and family. I’ve been playing badminton for a couple of months now, and I can confidently say it has made a huge difference in my stamina and mobility. It’s also had a positive impact on my mental health – playing a few rounds with the people I enjoy spending time with has really helped improve my mindset and overall outlook on life.
“My advice to anyone looking to start playing racquet sports is to simply go for it. The hardest part for me wasn’t finding motivation, once I’m invited to play, I don’t think twice about it, I just go. So, my tip is to stop overthinking and start playing!”
How to book and prepare for a game on our courts
To book a racquet sports session, use the Barrow Park Leisure Centre app, where you’ll find available sessions under the activities tab.
Alternatively, you can book through this website (Sports Hall – Barrow Park Leisure Centre), or speak with one of our reception team members.
Don’t forget to stretch and warm up before playing to prevent injuries and avoid strains.