What Are the Benefits of Badminton?

Among the many benefits of badminton, it's a very fun, social activity that can even improve your health. Keep reading to learn more about it!

Badminton is a racket sport that’s very similar to tennis, but with the caveat that the “ball,” which is actually called a shuttlecock or a birdie, is a strange shape. This includes some feathers to make it move unexpectedly. Knowing the benefits of badminton might be the best way to decide to practice a sport that’s not so popular, but is very fun … and even Olympic!

Badminton features

First of all, let’s talk about the basics of badminton. This sport was born in India and there, it’s known as Poona. However, it spread throughout the western world when British officials in the country observed the game. They were in charge of bringing it to England around 1875.

The Duke of Beaufort became interested in the game and began playing it on his estate, Badminton House. In fact, that’s how it got its name!

Later, English-style badminton traveled to the United States and Canada. Since the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, it’s had five variations: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The dominant countries are China, Indonesia, and South Korea.

Badminton is played with an elongated and very light racket, and you use it to hit the birdie or shuttlecock. An open shaped cone with feathers, it weighs just under 0.2 ounces.

The matches are played in three sets, and the winner is the one who takes two of them by reaching 21 points. The playing field is rectangular and with a net in the middle, which is five feet high.

What are the main benefits of badminton?

Now with the basic information of this sport, it’s time to find out why it’s good to choose and practice it. Here, we’ll show you some of the main benefits of badminton.

1. Lose weight

As with many aerobic sports, badminton can be a good option if you want to lose weight because it helps to burn fat effectively. In fact, this is shown in a study published by The American Journal of Medicine. Of course, this also requires a proper diet.

2. Benefits of badminton: tone muscles

Badminton is an explosive exercise that requires a lot of strength in the legs and arms. The repeated movements and agility it demands helps tone muscles in both the upper and lower body.

3. Maintain a healthy heart

One of the main benefits of badminton is related to improving the cardiovascular system, because when practicing it you do important aerobic work. Therefore, it serves to strengthen the heart and balance blood pressure, among other benefits highlighted in the Merck Manual publication.

4. Develop greater physical resistance

One of the most worked points in badminton is physical resistance, since a match involves supporting at least two sets of continuous movement. Lung capacity also increases when you train several times a week and compete in this sport.

5. Enhance reflexes and coordination

Reaction time to certain stimuli should be significantly reduced due to the speed of the sport. In this way, another of the benefits of badminton is muscle coordination and agility.

6. Benefits of badminton: be social

Badminton is a sport that lets you socialize, since at least two players participate in the match- and if it’s doubles, four. Therefore, whether in competition or in training, you’re with other people.

And that’s not all, because another of the benefits of badminton is that it helps us to learn about teamwork and striving for results. In addition, that’s why it can be very good to start small.

Finally, we can’t ignore that badminton is a fun sport that helps us to put aside the worries and stress of everyday life. If you’ve never played it before, give it a try and see for yourself!