Indoor sports
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Do you want to take up a sport that doesn’t involve being outside in the cold? There are loads of indoor activities that you can do instead.
Rock climbing
If you’re up for rock climbing, but aren’t ready for an outdoor cliffhanger just yet, then you can easily get the same experience with indoor rock climbing.
Many indoor walls are made of surfaces that give you the exact same feel as a real cliff. To help you get your grip, the walls are fitted with feet and hand holds – from really small ‘crimps’ to ‘jugs’ that you can grab easily. You’ll be able to do a lot more than climb up and down as well – most walls are so complex that you can climb diagonally and, if you’re up for it, upside-down.
You’ll still need some training and safety equipment to make sure you get further than the first hold. You can find some basic training information here but to really get a grip of things it’s best to find an indoor wall near you.
Badminton
Badminton is an indoor sport that looks similar to tennis. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock over the net and across the court with their racquets. If you think that’s easy then think again; the shuttlecock is mostly made out of feathers which can make it to fly in different directions.
There are loads of locations up and down the UK where you can play badminton. Enter your postcode here to find a club.
If you’re under 19 years old and have been trained in badminton, then why don’t you take the next step? Join Badminton England’s squad team.
Free running
Free running combines different kinds of sports together, like gymnastics, acrobats and martial arts. Runners use all kinds of objects they can grip their hands and feet to, then flip, jump, hurdle and swing themselves around it to get from one place to another. “This is not a rock. That is not a tree; nor is that a lamp post. I see them as launch pads, a swing and a ladder,” explains Sebastian Foucan, one of the founding members of free running.
For Sebastian, free running isn’t just about the physical. "I see it as a way of freeing oneself from the constraints of conformist behavior," he says.
If you’re ever down in London then visit Urban Freeflow. Here you’ll get training by expert instructors and you’ll also be accredited for it. You’ll also learn how to control your body so that you lower the risk of breaking bones.
Skates and bikes
There are loads of different ways you can roll; from roller skating on four wheels, to inline skating, skateboarding and cycling. n2k were at the Chaz Sands Invitational last year and got a firsthand look at sport on wheels.
Rampworx indoor skatepark in Liverpool is the biggest indoor skatepark in the UK. It’s filled with loads of ramps built for different levels. You might recognise some of its regular skaters from Hollyoaks!
The Works in Leeds is a cool for anyone who skateboards, cycles and skates. The centre is split into different sections for beginners and advanced. The Works also runs an academy that aims to train riders and skaters to competition level. If you’re interested then get in touch.
Check out more indoor skateparks near you.
5-a-side footie
By the title you can guess that there are only five players on a pitch during a 5-a-side footie match. Most of the rules in 5-a-side football are the same as normal footie; the major differences however are that the 5-a-side pitch is smaller and the game is shorter. Check out the other rules here.
One of the best places to play five-aside footie is at a Powerleague centre. There are centers all across the UK. It’s definitely worth visiting the Powerleage centre in Trafford; it’s the largest 5-a-side centre in the world.
