Why Playing Lacrosse Is The Workout You've Been Missing

Contrary to what some people may think, fitness can be fun. People play sports not only because they find them enjoyable, but because of the socialization and workout it can provide. Tennis, basketball, squash, softball, and even golf are sports that can improve your fitness level, keep your social life active, and benefit your overall health (via Verywell Fit). 

Of course, certain sports do provide a more intense workout than others, like lacrosse, which is a high-impact sport that can deliver a full-body workout (via AZCentral). Although you typically hear about student athletes playing the intense game, adults enjoy playing as well. Take the Premiere Lacrosse League (PLL), for example. The PLL is a professional men's lacrosse league throughout North America comprised of eight teams, each in it for the love of the game (via FiveThirtyEight).

While it does take a group of people to form a team, you don't necessarily need a team to get a good lacrosse workout in. You can play one-on-one with a friend, practice catching and throwing on a brick wall, or even head into an open field and practice shooting. 

Lacrosse requires running, which is a health perk to playing this fun sport. According to Healthline, up to just ten minutes a day of medium intensity running can improve your overall health and reduce the risk of certain medical conditions, including heart disease and stroke. The fast-paced sport is a great alternative to other aerobic exercises and comparable when it comes to calorie burning. The average 160-pound person can burn 305 calories playing lacrosse for 30 minutes (via FatSecret).

Playing lacrosse requires the use of many muscles, and usually there is a lot of repetition of the same movement, such as throwing, scooping, catching, running, and backpedaling. These movements work the quads, hamstrings, calves, core muscles, shoulders, biceps, triceps, back, and chest. Chances are you will be feeling the burn after some time on the lacrosse field! 

WebMD reports that high repetitions can build muscle strength, as long as they are repeated until the muscle becomes fatigued — and after a game of lacrosse those muscles will be exhausted.

Lacrosse helps build cardiovascular endurance by increasing the strength of the heart and lungs, and also helps with balance and hand-eye coordination. It offers a full-body workout, increases stamina, and can help reduce stress (via Health Fitness Revolution). Lacrosse is a great alternative to the traditional gym workout, especially if you're looking to kick up your fitness routine a notch, or try something new.