While seniors can enjoy a variety of sports, from skiing to shuffleboard, some activities offer an edge when it comes to convenience, fun and practicality. The following three sports are ideal if you’re looking for a new outlet for social interaction and exercise. While each is unique, they all offer opportunities for friendly competition and individual improvement.

Bowling

Bowling has come a long way since Fred Flintstone tip-toed down Bedrock Lanes. The balls are prettier, the air is fresher, scoring is automated and fun graphics offer pick-up strategies. You can participate in league bowling or enjoy an occasional afternoon game.

Benefits

As a social activity, bowling offers several advantages to seniors new to the game.

• The act of bowling involves beneficial movements, from walking to lifting and throwing the ball.
• Bowling helps maintain balance and coordination.
• The weight of the ball can help encourage muscle tone.
• League bowlers are assigned a handicap based on their average, making winning possible for everyone, even complete newbies.

Requirements

Bowling is an inexpensive activity to sample. You can rent shoes from the alley, and balls are available free of charge. Eventually, you may wish to purchase your own equipment. Balls are sold in a wide range of colors and weights and can be custom drilled to fit your hand and grip.

Bowling tips for beginners

• Keep your ball light, especially at the onset. You can always increase the weight as you progress.
• Practice slow, even steps and a smooth release to avoid stressing back or hip muscles. If you have physical difficulties, ask a pro for advice on adjusting your form.

Availability

Thornton, Colorado, has several bowling alleys within 10-15 minutes of the Park Regency assisted living community in Thornton. Call to check the availability of leagues (senior, men, women or mixed) or times for open bowling. You can form a team with friends or family members or ask to be assigned a league team.

Golfing

Senior years are a great time to take up the game of golf. Like bowling, golf can be enjoyed as a group, individually or in leagues, and handicaps help you remain competitive regardless of ability.

Benefits

Golf courses provide beautiful scenery, and the combination of fresh air, exercise and social stimulation benefits all ages. In addition, golfing includes a variety of movements that can keep your joints and muscles limber and help with hand/eye coordination.

Requirements

If you’re new to golfing, you may want to start with a bucket of balls at the driving range and time with a golf pro. Many courses have practice facilities, including putting greens and a chipping area. You can sometimes rent clubs as well. Eventually, you’ll want to get your own clubs; used sets are frequently available.

Golf tips for beginners

• Golf carts provide shade and make it easy to carry clubs, drinks and other accessories.
• Most golf courses offer a senior discount, and tee times are typically less during the weekdays.
• Consider getting your own group of novices together for a discount lesson.

Availability

Both private and public golf courses are within a short drive of Park Regency in Thornton. In addition, nearby Topgolf lets you rent hitting bays by the hour with free clubs on hand. Thornton, Colorado, also has indoor golf facilities where you can take lessons or play a round in a simulator bay.

Pickleball

Pickleball is growing in popularity, especially among seniors. The sport is played on a court that's slightly smaller than a tennis court. The court includes a net, and you play with large paddles and a hollow plastic ball. While two singles can play pickleball, most people like the fun and competitiveness of the doubles game.

Benefits

Pickleball is easy to pick up, and it provides plenty of exercise without putting too much stress on joints or requiring quite the amount of running as tennis. Serves are underhand, which also helps prevent shoulder issues.

Since players are a short distance from each other at the net, pickleball allows for a lot of fun banter between opposing teams. The sport also helps improve hand/eye coordination, and the hollow plastic ball is more forgiving than other types of sports balls.

Requirements

You’ll need your own equipment, but paddles and balls are reasonably priced. Look for tennis or pickleball court shoes that permit lateral movement without catching the court surface.

Pickleball tips for beginners

• If you’re new to the sport, take time to watch other players.
• Don’t feel you have to get right into a competitive game. Instead, start with some back-and-forth volleys to get a feel for the pace.
• Make sure your shoes are compatible with the court surface.

Availability

Woodglen Brookshire Park has four pickleball courts, and there are even more in Broomfield. In addition, recreation centers offer indoor facilities. While you can gather friends to play just for fun, leagues let you meet more players and provide additional competition.

Staying Active

All the above sports can help you remain fit while providing plenty of socialization. However, to get full enjoyment, follow these guidelines:

• Keep yourself in good physical condition with regular stretching and other range-of-movement activities. Check out the activity calendar for fitness classes.
• Take time to warm up before playing and cool down afterward.
• Please don’t overdo it, especially at the beginning. Your muscles may take a while to get used to new movements.
• Always consult your medical provider before engaging in new-to-you physical activities.

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