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A Beginner's Guide to Playing Squash

Squash Auckland’s General Manager, A-Grade Player, and Lifelong Squash Enthusiast John Fletcher explains why you should be playing the world’s healthiest sport and how to get started.

You're on fire. You're chasing every ball, thriving on adrenaline as the rally goes on, enjoying banter with your mate and getting fit without thinking about it. This is sport as you’ve never experienced before.

Voted by Forbes Magazine as the world’s healthiest sport across a broad range of criteria, squash is a fun, fast and exciting game that is easy to learn and can be played all year-round - no matter your age, skill level or gender.

Research has shown that playing an equivalent of 30 minutes of squash can burn 517 calories, and has also been proven to help you live longer. This means squash is the perfect sport to provide lifelong total well-being - no matter if you are five, thirty-five or sixty-five.

 

Squash is a safe non-contact sport that does not need expensive equipment. It can be practised alone or played with 2 (singles), 3 or 4 (doubles) people and is one of the easiest sports to participate in. Unlike many other sports, squash is gender neutral and gives equal opportunities for males and females to participate, enjoy and achieve. Squash is also one of the most widely played sports in the world - played in more than 185 countries by 20 million people on nearly 50,000 courts.

 

Benefits of playing squash

Playing squash is the perfect way to meet the New Zealand Physical Activity Guidelines and also receive the following health results:

  • Develops agility
  • Sharpens hand-eye coordination
  • Compels flexibility
  • Pinpoints concentration
  • Imposes strength and fitness
  • Boosts heart and lung health
  • Coaches social skills
  • Improves self-confidence
  • Ensures mental well-being
  • Alleviates stress

 

Where to Play

There is a wide network of squash clubs and courts around the Auckland region where you can play, with many offering casual court and equipment hire so you can play how you want, when you want.  All you need is suitable clothing and non-marking shoes.  If you haven’t the slightest clue how to play, there are a number of clubs that run short, introductory coaching programmes to help you with the basics, or if you’re confident enough to get stuck straight in but are looking for others to play against then head along to a local club night. 

 

For more information head along to the ‘Play Squash’ section of the Squash Auckland website.

 

Looking for more information on keeping your body happy and healthy? We've got lots of great blogs and articles you can check out. Also, get ready for the upcoming LiveFit Festival! With tons of activities, and speakers covering a wide range of health and fitness topics, you’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy no matter what your fitness level.

 

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