Bored of the gym? Try joining a sports club instead

There are so many different options when it comes to exercise, which for me is baffling when I encounter people who say they can’t find a sport or any form of exercise to engage in.

I guess the problem comes once we leave school and the varied options that are offered there are no longer at our disposal. If I think back to my primary, high school and university days, I took part in a long list of sports at one time or another, exploring what was on offer.

Hockey, netball, tennis, squash, basketball, middle distance running, cross country, high jump, drum majorettes, cricket, golf and long jump are all sports that I was curious enough to try.  With some of them I didn’t last long, others I went as far as representing the province.

But with that said, after traditional school, I have noticed that the decline in sport participation from my peeps and even those who went before me is massive. Many of us who took part in a variety of sporting codes get lost in society.

Hockey. Picture: iStock

Mostly it’s the team sport guys who are the victims; the netball, hockey, tennis, squash, basketball, badminton players and other team sports.

The one-man sports like swimming, cycling and running are the ones that athletes easily continue with and I speak from experience as a runner for over two decades. The other default activity that many lean towards is the gym. But the truth is, not everyone is a gym-goer, swimmer, cyclist or runner.

What most people are unaware of are the various sports clubs in our communities that are there in order to help them continue with their favourite sports post school. There are clubs that offer indoor and outdoor hockey, netball and basketball, tennis, squash, five-a-side football and even indoor beach volleyball.

Most of these clubs cater for all fitness levels from beginner to advance and also include most age groups. There is usually a registration fee when you start and then a pay as you play system or a monthly club fee.

Most of these clubs have strict rules including punctuality, cancellations, a uniform or dress code guideline and other general conduct rules so it’s always in your best interest to familiarise yourself with all club rules to avoid any issues.

Indoor soccer. Picture: iStock

If you are an advanced player, some of the clubs have leagues where teams compete against each other. If you are new to a club, you can either join an existing team or come with your own group of friends.

The clubs that typically allow you to bring your own team of friends are indoor beach volley ball, beach soccer, beach rugby, five-a-side football, tennis and squash.

If you are looking for a club to play squash at, you can head over to The Wanderers Club. The club is active in both the Gauteng League, the Gauteng Masters League and a number of other tournaments. It is open to all players, males and females.

The club fees are paid annually and it is dependent on your level of participation whether it is social or competitive. There are general squash club fees, squash SA registration fees, Gauteng league fees and Gauteng masters league fees. Contact the club directly for the various fees.

One of the clubs that has a great focus on tennis is the Rivonia Recreation Club. They cater for both social and league tennis. All skill levels and age groups are welcome and there are coaches on hand to help improve your game.

Tennis. Picture: iStock

Playing tennis at Rivonia Recreation Club is membership based. The different memberships are junior, student and senior and weekday memberships. Depending on which membership you qualify for, there are certain days and times that you can partake in social, league and championship games.

Pococks Indoor Beach Sports is a venue based at Northlands Deco Park in Northriding Johannesburg. They offer indoor volleyball, indoor soccer and indoor rugby. Upon registration, you can join an existing league or create your own league with your own friends. The leagues cater to a variety of skill levels.

Indoor beach sports are a perfect way of getting fit while having fun and socialising with friends. There are shower facilities available at Pococks so you can come straight from work or go out after your game. The venue is also available to hire for private functions.

There are so many clubs that have a variety of sporting codes. Most of them have a website with adequate information. So if you find that you don’t fit into the general gym-fanatic and tri-athlete sports, simply search for a club near you that offers your preferred sport.

Zulu is a qualified biokineticist and co-founder of PopUpGym. Follow her on Instagram: @letshego.zulu; Twitter: @letshegom; Facebook: Letshego Zulu

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