Shuttlecock moving over the top of the net in a blue indoor sports hall

In this article, you are going to discover why badminton is one of the best sports to get into, which you can take inspiration from whether you’re a professional badminton player or just play the sport in your free time.

These reasons range from the well-known to the obscure. Yet, despite their differences, all of them have one thing in common: They will convince you to pick up the shuttle and racquet and start playing.

Let’s jump into it.

1. Non-contact Sport

Unlike some of the more popular sports, badminton is a non-contact sport, minimizing the chances of any injury to players.

You don’t have to be in excellent shape to start playing badminton, with the intensity of the game determined by the fitness level of the players.

For these reasons, badminton players suffer fewer injuries than other sportspersons.

This makes badminton an attractive option for anyone who is looking for a harmless way to stay fit.

2. Has Few Painless Rules

The rules of the game are incredibly easy to learn and follow. Anyone who has played any sport in their life won’t need more than a few minutes to understand the game’s basics.

Here are basic badminton rules every player should know:

Badminton scoring system. All singles and doubles matches are best-of-three games. The winner is the first to score 21 points. A point is scored on serve and/or when the shuttlecock hits the ground in the other side’s half. Or when the shot lands outside the court.

How to serve in badminton. Players are required to serve diagonally. A serve should pass the short service line (the first line after the net). Every side will keep on serving for as long as they keep on winning points. The serve goes to the other side when a point is lost.

There are a few other rules. But as long as you stick to the ones mentioned in this article, nobody will bat an eyelid as both of you are exchanging shots on the court.

3. You Don’t Need Many People to Play

Unlike, say, with football or hockey, you don’t have to arrange a large number of people to play badminton. All you need is one person apart from you with a free schedule who is willing to spend their free time on the court.

Sure, you can also go ahead and arrange four people if you’re in the mood to play doubles. But for the most part, one willing opponent will be all you need.

One time, my friends were late to the court, so I just hit the shuttlecock up into the air and challenged myself to see how many times I could keep it up without the shuttlecock hitting the ground. I was able to get about 17 in a row until I got bored and hit it up so high, it got stuck in the corner ceiling of the sports hall! The players on the adjacent court — who I didn’t know — were laughing at me.

4. Badminton Can Be Played Indoors

Cricket players have to abandon the game the moment it starts raining. The same goes for players of many other outdoor sports – they have little choice but to pack their bags and leave the field as soon as the weather gets inclement.

However, even if it is snowing in your area, you can still head over to the badminton court and play a game or two.

There won’t be anything stopping you from burning a few hundred calories while your fellow cricket and football players pack up.

5. Inexpensive Sport

There is a reason why badminton is a sport for the masses. All you need is a racket, a shuttlecock, and a court to play this game.

Sure, the prices of professional badminton rackets might blow a hole in your pocket. But you can easily find a super-cheap racquet in your local sports store.

As for the court, there are gymnasiums and badminton clubs that will let you use their facility for a small monthly fee.

Alternatively, you can make a one-time investment in a badminton net and erect it in your own backyard to play the game whenever you feel like it.

6. Burns a Lot of Calories

According to an estimate, an average person burns 475 – 525 calories per hour playing a game of badminton.

Athletes can burn as many as 650+ calories per hour. The difference is due to the differences in body weight and the intensity level of the game.

That is not all. The varied body movements also provide a full-body workout, including your hamstrings, calves, quads, and your core.

That is precisely the reason why fitness trainers recommend badminton as part of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and cardio workouts.

7. Reduces Stress

Badminton is one of the best ways to keep your stress levels in check. It is also one of the easiest.

Unlike, say, with running, you don’t have to mindlessly pound the jogging track. Neither do you have to be at the receiving end of punches, as is the case with boxing.

Instead, you just have to play the game at your own pace and within a few minutes, you’ll realize that the stress hormones have left your body.

That is to say that by playing badminton, you can feel happy and alive without exerting too much effort. What more can you ask for!

8. Connects People

Here’s one thing most sports have in common. They provide an avenue for players to get together and engage in healthy competition. In doing so, they give you the opportunity to build and nourish your relationships with friends, old and new.

Conclusion

Badminton is an excellent activity for those seeking a perfect mix of sports, fun, and exercise. It is one of the few sports that everyone can play at their own pace and at a time and place of their choosing. So step up, call that friend or family member and schedule a game today.

Now I’d like to turn it over to you.

  • What is one reason you would like to start (or have started) playing badminton?
  • How does the game make you feel?
  • Perhaps you have a question?

Feel free to reach out to me in the comments section below, I’d love to answer your questions and hear your feedback. We are also on Instagram @healthyprinciples_.

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