Though much of the focus is on fun, bowling is also a sport that can double as a great workout, allowing you to burn through plenty of calories in a game – but just how many calories can you burn off in a simple game of bowling? We took a closer look.
What Is Bowling?
In the simplest terms, bowling is a game where two players roll a ball down a lane and try to knock over pins at various points along the way. The object of the game is to get your own ball closest to the pin without knocking it down.
There are different types of bowling lanes, with some having more than one hundred pins and others only ten or so. You can play singles (one person per lane), doubles (two people per lane), or triples (three people per lane).
Bowling Pins
The most common type of bowling pins used today consists of three wooden posts spaced evenly apart from each other. These pins have a hole drilled into them for a bowling ball to be rolled down.
Each post has a number painted onto its side corresponding to the order in which it will fall if knocked down.
For example, if there were four pins set up in a row, the first would fall after the fourth had been knocked down, then the second after the third, etc.
The pins come in sets of 10-20 depending on the size of the bowling alley. They are usually kept in a storage area near the entrance of the bowling alley.
Bowling Balls
A bowling ball is made out of rubber or hard plastic. It comes in several sizes ranging from about 2 inches to 4 inches in diameter.
Some balls are designed specifically for indoor use while others are meant to be used outdoors, and the type you need will depend on the sport you are playing, your strength, and your personal preferences.
Does Bowling Burn Calories?
While bowling may not seem like an exercise activity, it actually burns quite a few calories. According to a study conducted by the American Council on Exercise, bowling burns around 250 calories during a single game.
That’s roughly the same amount of calories burned by walking briskly for 30 minutes.
The number of calories burned during a game of bowling can be calculated by multiplying the MET – Metabolic Equivalent Task of an activity by the body weight of the participant in kilograms. This figure should be multiplied by 3.5, and then divided by 200.
The calculation is:
(MET x Body Weight in KG x 3.5) / 200
The MET is a measure of energy expenditure. It represents the energy cost of performing a specific task. In this case, we are looking at the energy cost of bowling.
What Type of Exercise Is Bowling?
Bowling is considered a low-impact exercise because the force exerted on the pins is relatively small compared to other sports such as running or jogging. However, it does require good balance and coordination. It is an anaerobic exercise and has been compared to walking briskly while carrying free weights. There are a number of areas of the body worked when bowling, and these include:
- Core muscles
- Shoulders
- Arms
- Legs
- Chest
- Back
- Abs
- Glutes
- Biceps
- Tendons
- Ligaments
What Are Some Other Benefits of Bowling?
Bowling can help improve your overall health and fitness levels. It can also help to strengthen your core muscles, shoulders, arms, legs, chest, back, abs, glutes, tendons, ligaments, and even your brain! Other benefits include:
Improved Hand-Eye Coordination
One of the main bonuses of bowling is that it can boost your hand-eye coordination, making it easier to catch a ball. You might find yourself having more success with your throws.
Better Balance
When you bowl, you must maintain proper posture throughout the entire game – this will help to reduce the risk of you falling over. Maintaining proper balance means that you will be using your core muscles and building strength, and this offers benefits for your overall fitness and well-being.
Increased Flexibility
When you bowl, you are using different parts of your body, including your core muscles. As a result, you will increase your flexibility, and this means you will have a better range of motion when you move your joints.
Good For Your Brain
Bowling can also be good for your brain – especially if you play regularly. When you throw the ball, you are having to adjust your position and calculate your angles depending on the pins that you have available – all of this will involve exercising your brain, which can help prevent memory loss and cognitive decline.
Improvement Of Social Skills
You may not realize it, but bowling can actually help to improve your social skills. This is because bowling involves interacting with others in a friendly manner. If you are feeling down or lonely, then bowling could be just what you need to get out of your rut.
Weight Loss
If you want to lose some weight, bowling could be a great way to go. Since bowling requires minimal equipment (a pair of shoes and a ball), you don’t need any special clothing, and this can help ensure that bowling is cheaper and more accessible to all – ideal if you are looking to try something new to lose weight.
While bowling isn’t aerobically demanding, it still provides a cardiovascular workout. The fact that you are moving your upper body while throwing the ball helps to keep your heart rate up, and this is perfect for burning calories and helping you to stay in shape.
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits associated with bowling, so why not give it a try? Whether you are looking to lose weight, gain muscle mass, or simply enjoy a fun activity, there is no reason not to start bowling today – heading to the alley could be one of the best choices that you make for your health and overall well-being!
I wanted to create my website to inspire others to pick up their bowling balls and get to their local lanes. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a friendly game of bowling with your friends and family, so what are you waiting for?
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