Hoops

Me, my brother, and our mad hops

Cardio is important. Whether you're interested in losing weight, decreasing stress or just bettering your overall health outlook, you should be doing at least 30 minutes of cardio 5x each week.  Treadmill, stairmaster, run in the park, brisk walk ... whatever. Just get out, work hard, and feel the positive effects.

The worst thing about cardio? Boredom. It's horrible and it strikes when a person just tries to do the same workout everyday, or the same routine every week. I know for a fact because I'm a person that gets bored easily, so I'm always trying to shake things up when it comes to cardio-based exercise. One thing I don't do enough (but did today, so it's top of mind)? Play basketball.

Now, in order for basketball to count as true cardio exercise, it can't be a leisurely game of H.O.R.S.E. while drinking beers, or a half-court game of 21 where everyone is basically walking around shooting jumpers. The true cardio benefits of hoops come when someone plays a full-court game, doesn't cherrypick, and works hard to rebound and defend, which require a lot of lateral movement, leaping and muscular activity. All these activities will elevate the heart rate and engage many different muscle groups, as well as activate a neurosensory element not always present in cardio ... if you have to think about how to play the game, defend  a person, avoid a body coming at you, you are taking on a different challenge and decreasing the likelihood of boredom.

Want more information on the physiological benefits of playing hoops? 

The intangible benefits of playing basketball may be the best though. Walk into a gym knowing no one, make some quick friends (4), get on the court, figure out how to work together, hopefully win and hold the court, defend against a new group of people, learn more, etc. I can't say enough about how much of a person's character is revealed by how he or she plays basketball with people he or she doesn't know.

If you ever want to play, let me know and let's get out there! I'm out at the SDSU ARC at least once or twice a week and could always use a point guard to pass me the ball. No Celtics fans allowed.