When you get home, are you so stressed out that you just want to go straight to bed, or sit some more watching television? Or do you make it a habit to drop by the bar on your way home to drink a few bottles of beer?
If your answer is yes to the questions, you may well be on your way to obesity and obesity-related illnesses.
For sure, everybody wants to have a fit and healthy body but it requires a lot of work on your part to make it happen. If the thought of lifting weights and working out in the gym or jogging a few miles along Beach Road every day makes you tired just by thinking about it, there is one fun alternative exercise that you may be interested in —skateboarding.
Over the last few years, skateboarding has slowly gained popularity in the island – especially among teenagers but this sport is not limited to teenagers but it is ideal for adults who want to get in shape, too.
Drop by the street market in Garapan on Thursday nights and you can see several kids skateboarding on the sidewalk in front of the Hyatt Regency. Last year, the Rotary Club of Saipan officially opened the skateboard park in central Garapan and the place has now become a hub for skateboard enthusiasts.
ISK8, the only skating club on Saipan encourages kids and adults to join the team and skateboard their way toward good health.
ISK8 vice president Dan Westphal yesterday said skateboarding contributes a lot in keeping the body healthy and fit, particularly in cardiovascular conditioning.
“When you push yourself on a skateboard in a flat area, and especially up a ramp or wall like the one at the Garapan skatepark, you exert a great effort and this will help build your stamina.
Westphal, who has been skateboarding for the past 30 years and has joined numerous exhibitions, said anybody can learn the basics of skateboarding but beginners should work on flat ground first.
When already familiar with the basics, Westphal said skateboarders can start working on jumps and tricks but this requires more time and effort to practice.
He said skaters need to practice on speed and maintain that speed but by moving on to tricks and jumps, skateboarders get more health benefits to the cardiovascular workouts.
Westphal said skateboarding jumps and tricks provides a skater several elements which are important for sports such as increase one’s timing, coordination, balance, flexibility, and endurance.
Westphal said the more you practice and master skateboarding, the more you will want to venture out and learn more new tricks and jumps, the more you will get in shape and the healthier you will be.
Skateboarding is a fun, addictive way to burn calories and keep healthy.
In almost all parts of the world, state-of-the-art skateboard parks are being constructed to give skateboard enthusiasts better access and a venue to work on their skills.
If you think skateboarding is dangerous, sitting around without any physical activity is more dangerous.
“Don’t ever forget to put on a complete safety equipment to protect and cushion yourself when you fall,” he said.
Westphal said aside from the health benefits skateboarding provides, it is not an expensive hobby.
“Beginners can start with simple and cheaper skateboards to learn the basics of skateboarding,” he said.
What’s good about this sport is it adapts to your lifestyle and fits into your busy schedule, he added. You don’t have to enroll in clubs and pay huge monthly or annual membership fees or set advanced bookings. You can skateboard whenever you want to.
Do you live near your school or office? Why not consider skateboarding your way to work? Save fuel and enjoy the numerous health benefits.
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