Bowling

A social sport

Although bowling has been a popular pastime for years among people of all ages, it has especially been a favorite activity among seniors and retirees. If you are considering taking up bowling as a hobby, there are a few things that you will have to keep in mind.

1. Select a proper weight of bowling ball. You should be able to bowl comfortably without fear of dropping the ball due to its weight; nevertheless, you want to bowl with the heaviest ball that you are able to control. Choose a ball that allows you to swing your arm naturally with little resistance. This will allow you to have a soft, relaxed grip with little pressure, which is ideal for your arm swing. Once you increase your arm strength with practice, you will eventually have to upgrade to a heavier ball.
2. Bowling balls also come with different finger hole sizes. This is a process that is best left up to the professionals due to the fact that it will be extremely customized to the shape and irregularities of your fingers.
3. Bowling bags are essential for toting your ball back and forth to the bowling alley. You don’t want to risk dropping the ball. Bowling ball rollers, like little wheeled suitcases, make lugging your ball even easier.
4. Always wear proper bowling attire. Bowling shoes are the only way to properly protect yourself and other players. They provide the proper grip for the lane and protection for your feet. Bowling shirts are more a matter of style than safety. Just be sure to wear comfortable, maneuverable clothing. Some bowling clubs will have specific rules for what they allow bowlers to wear. You should always check with the bowling alley you are considering for any regulations.
5. Make sure that you always pick up your ball with two hands. This is to ensure that you do not injure your fingers when other balls come through the ball return.
6. To avoid injury, you must always follow the bowling alley rules. The two major ones include avoiding the ball return and passing the foul line. The lanes are oiled and can be extremely slippery, so passing the foul line can pose safety concerns. It is important to make sure that you are constantly keeping the rules in mind as they are easy to forget when focusing on the task at hand.

Bowling is a great fitness activity for seniors who are still healthy and active. It is very strenuous, however, and the risk of injury is high. Bowling can put undue strain on joints with arthritis, and it may put osteoporosis sufferers at risk of spinal fractures. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting any new physical activity.