Squash

Getting Started With Squash

Playing squash is a great way to boost your fitness whilst enjoying a fun, fast and frenetic racquet sport. Squash can be a physically demanding sport, requiring you to stretch every sinew in your body to get around the court and outfox your opponents. But like so many other sports, it can be a great way to meet new people and get a brilliant cardiovascular workout in the process.

Squash is a game in which precision and power is key. Whether playing a huge smash or a deft little chip accuracy is everything. But it's not all hard work and trigonometry, there is plenty more to squash than perhaps initially meets the eye. For example it is a brilliant way to make new friends and get involved with training, teams and tournaments. Playing on court with a variety of people, from good mates to complete strangers you can enjoy the highs and lows of a competitive sport with others.

If you're completely new to squash and have only a rudimentary knowledge of the game, you may want to start out by joining a local club and going along to some training sessions. Here you can play alongside similarly inexperienced players and develop your skills under expert tuition.

Kitting Yourself Out For The Court

Stepping on to the court for the first time can be fairly daunting, so ensuring you have the right squash equipment could save any further anguish. Squash racquets are very similar to those used in tennis; the racquet has a large head with tightly strung interwoven strings. They come with a variety of unique features, in a wide range of metal compounds and are come in a variety of prices to suit all budgets.

Clothing, as with most things is largely about personal preference. The main thing is that it shouldn't be too restrictive and will allow you to keep cool on what can often be a very warm court. Short sleeved tees with a subtle colouration, such as those in our USA Pro sport range, will have you looking stylish and feeling comfortable for the duration of your match. Likewise, one of the many tennis skorts available are equally at home on the squash court, and will give you the freedom to glide around the court unhindered.

Comfortable training shoes are another necessity. They should be reasonably tight and support your feet and ankles; this will help prevent blisters and going over on your ankle. Good shoes should also cushion your feet as you run, reducing damage from the jarring vibrations, caused through constant movement, on your leg joints. Many courts also enforce a non-marking trainer policy, so make sure that the soles of your shoes are colour-free and won't leave marks when you run.

Getting Fit & Staying Safe

There is an old saying in squash that 'you don't play squash to get fit, you get fit to play squash'. Whilst slightly clichéd it does resonate with some truth. As previously mentioned squash is an extremely strenuous sport, often played at breakneck speeds. If you come in to squash with low fitness levels you can often do more harm than good to your body. The often frenetic pace can put a great strain on your muscles, including the heart, which without basic fitness levels can be exceptionally dangerous.

The confined nature of the court and the speed with which the game is played means that there is a small danger of minor physical injuries. With the ball flying at apace and two players running throughout the court swinging squash racquets, accidents and collisions can happen. A heavy rubber squash ball can leave quite a mark if you're struck fully with it, likewise clashes with racquets or limbs can be a little painful too; so it's best to keep your wits about you when negotiating around the court.

However, warnings aside, squash gives the body an unparalleled cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory workout. Running and diving across the court can see you lose upwards of 750 calories an hour - far more than simply jogging or cycling. You can build muscle strength and endurance, making you fitter, leaner and healthier.