Why bowl? Because it's exercise!

Many equate bowling with smoking, drinking, and socializing. But bowling is actually a beneficial form of low impact exercise!

People tend to forget that bowling is a participant sport, and requires some exertion on the part of the bowler. Studies show bowling can burn up to 260 calories an hour!

Adult bowlers, for example, repeatedly carry and deliver a ball weighing up to 15 pounds to a lane. Some experts say that is equivalent to using a 15-pound weight at the gym.

A smooth, controlled approach to the bowling lane is required, and a carefully calculated swing is necessary for successful delivery of the ball. You literally have to throw the ball down the lane at 10-20 miles per hour. That involves some skill and strength.

Studies show bowling not only develops hand and arm strength, it exercises muscles in the hands, legs, knees, hips, shoulders, and back. Side benefits include the development of hand-eye coordination, balance, and the stimulation of hormones that fight depression.

Unfortunately, there is a high rate of injury among bowlers—the shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, and wrists are all at risk. Warming-up before a game is essential.

To warm up effectively, experts recommend doing light exercise or running in place to increase the heart rate. Move on to passive stretching to increase the blood flow to the muscles and joints, and finally, flex hands and fingers to strengthen and improve your grip.

Bowlers benefit physically and emotionally from rolling a ball. The average adult can burn up 240 calories an hour. That doesn’t happen when you are sitting on the couch in front of the TV!

One of the greatest benefits of bowling? It’s indoors! It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, snowing, dark, or below zero outside. You can come into a bowling center, and get some exercise—any time of year.