That's it, you've made up your mind: this year, you're going to do some sport! But despite your overwhelming motivation, you're not sure what to turn your hand to. Team sport or individual sport? At a club or at home? To build muscle or to lose weight? Let us help you make your choice from the plethora of available activities.
In general, shedding a few pounds is the main motivation when starting a new sport, whether its because you are preparing yourself to bare all in a swimsuit on the beach, or simply to keep fit.
To burn fat effectively, activities that get your heart pumping are best: running, boxing, swimming, cycling or skipping rope. These activities consume a lot of calories which, combined with a good diet, will cause you to lose weight.
When you do a sport, it is also a great way to clear your head and boost your endorphins. Gyms are full of activities where you can work out to your heart's content, like RPM (cycling with an instructor), rebounding (jumping on a mini trampoline), piloxing (mix of boxing, dance and pilates) or the famous zumba.
Here again, running comes into its own: it is ideal for clearing out the cobwebs and getting out in the open (park, wood, around a lake, etc.).
Also consider racquet sports such as squash, badminton or tennis, which are both fun and a good workout.
Who can say they have never dreamed of having shapely legs, visible abs or firm pecs? To achieve these results, a weightlifting gym is a must! As a beginner, it is essential to be supervised by a certified instructor who will tell you the right movements to make, and set up a personalised and progressive programme according to your needs. It would be a shame to hurt yourself so soon after starting your training. After several weeks of working out, you will see a visible difference in your body.
You could also consider rugby, the ultimate impact sport that will help you to build muscle in several areas of your body: shoulders, arms, back, glutes, abs and legs. Dancing will also improve your posture and is an effective way to build muscle.
Considered to be some of the best all-round sports, swimming and rowing are also effective ways to build muscle in a balanced way.
Playing sports is not only about sweating buckets or jumping around all over the place. It can also be synonymous with relaxation. If you want to relax after a long day while still working on your body, opt for yoga or pilates: these two relatively similar activities require a high level of concentration and involve a holistic approach to understanding your body.
Hiking, which combines walking and discovering your surroundings, is also a great activity to consider.
It is possible to do sport without making a dent in your budget! Running and Nordic walking spring to mind as almost free sports (excluding a few essential pieces of kit): a good pair of shoes, shorts and a T-shirt, and you're good to go!
You can also do a sports routine at home with next to nothing: a skipping rope, an abs exerciser, a pull-up bar, etc.
Nothing motivates you to do sport more than being part of a club. There is sure to be a centre not far from you that will allow you to join a team: football (nearly 2 million members in France), handball (more than 500,000), rugby (almost 400,000) or basketball (more than 600,000 basketball players)*. If you are looking for a good atmosphere, it's hard to beat.
Being part of a club will also bring out your competitive side because you will be able to take part in tournaments, championships, matches against other teams, etc.
*official 2017 figures of the various French sports federations
The possibilities are endless and mainly depend on the goals you set yourself. Which one takes your fancy? Which sport do you think is the most accessible? We can't wait to read your responses.