Sports are a great way to get involved in fitness. This article covers the general benefits and possible dangers of many different sports, ranging from an easy-going Ultimate Frisbee, to the rough and tumble play of the rugby field, where battle scars are marks of passage. This article will teach you what best suits your body type on your terms.

In order to truly commit to a fitness program, you need to change your attitudes and beliefs about fitness. You need to be willing to work hard, even when you’re feeling tired or lazy. Only if you are willing to make solid, lasting changes will you able to make fitness a part of your life.

Motivation is often a problem when people exercise, especially if you exercise alone. Find an audio version of a book that you really want to read and listen to it only when you exercise. Wanting to find out what happens next will motivate you to work out longer and more often.

To get the most benefit out of your strength training, incorporate stretches into your routine. At least one scientific study suggests that if you pause after training your muscles and spend 20-30 seconds stretching out whatever muscle (or set of muscles) it is you’ve been working, this will increase your strength.

Stretches should be performed before you begin your exercise and afterwards to cool the muscle from intense performance. When stretching, it is best to hold a position for 15 to 30 seconds and try not to bounce during the hold. Bouncing will force the muscle to hit a tendon or body part unnecessarily and may cause injury.

The message that should be gleaned from this article is that not only athletes play sports. Recreationally or with friends, it’s not the level of play that matters but the overall health benefits and understanding the general rules of the sport. Hopefully, you, the reader, will be able to decide if you’re ready to immerse yourself in the sport of your choice.