We have to admit we weren’t that excited to have to take a sports related class as part of our college requirements. But here’s what they don’t warn you about in advance: once you start, it’s insanely addictive! Luckily, you don’t have to be a star athlete to play the game or take up a new activity. In fact there are so many cool recreational sports to try as an undergraduate, we could only list a few of them.
5 Cool Recreational Sports to Try as an Undergraduate
1. Yoga
Yoga may not be a sport in the same way baseball and football are, but for non-exercisers and fans of more relaxing workouts, yoga is the perfect way to get you into the gym. Yoga combines twisting poses with stretching and breathing methods, meaning you’ll learn how to bend yourself into positions you would have never imagined. But the best part is the long term physical and mental effects you’ll experience if you just practice once a week for a semester.
2. Badminton
You have probably forgotten all about this classic from grade school, but intramural badminton teams are some of the most popular college sports in the country! Badminton can be played as doubles or solo, boys or girls, and experienced or complete novice. Plus, with equipment costs being so low, you can easily pick it up and play whenever you can find a net and a birdie.
3. Frisbee
It may seem cliche, but frisbee is a surprisingly big part of life in college. However, frisbee involves more than just tossing a disc back and forth. In fact, college students have made complete sports out of it. Our favorite is ultimate frisbee. It’s a fast-paced team game that involves strategy and skill. Your dorm friends and you can start a team this summer and be game ready by September.The alternative to ultimate frisbee is frisbee (or disc) golf. You’ll need to find a disc golf field to play, but it has rules and goals similar to traditional golf making it popular with solo sports fans.
4. Rowing/Crew
If you love the water but aren’t a big swimmer, consider rowing! College competitive rowing, or crew, is an Olympic sport with competitors at the highest level, but if all you’re looking for is to burn some calories or sculpt your arms, you can rent a solo boat to take to the lake. Outside of rowing, you can also try kayaking or even canoeing. Any paddle sport will give you the outdoors time you want combined with being on the water for relaxation. Before jumping in, however, know that the sport is pricey. In addition, if you’re at a landlocked school, it can be difficult to find a body of water set up for rowing!
5. Dance
Dance isn’t just for those who have the training or body for it. Colleges provide so many opportunities for beginners or those with absolutely no sense of rhythm to get down and see if they’ve got a hidden talent in them. Take ballroom dance with a boyfriend, jazz/hip hop with a friend, or Bollywood for a cultural immersion class. You’ll enjoy getting into the “sport” and picking up a skill you can use on any dance floor.