Whether it’s because of high prices, the over-competitive nature, or a just plain ole lack of interest, mainstream sports aren’t for everyone. And that’s totally OK! Fortunately, there are dozens of sports that you may have never heard of that are fun, affordable, and easy to learn. Here are a few of our favorite unpopular sports that you can get into right now.
Disc Golf
Disc golf saw a massive explosion in popularity during the covid-19 pandemic. One report from a popular disc golf app, UDisc, showed that the number of courses worldwide rose to 13,323 in 2021, with an average of 5.28 new courses built daily in the US.
It’s easy to see the appeal of this up-and-coming sport. First off, It’s easy to learn and isn’t very physically demanding. The rules of disc golf are the same as traditional golf. However, you throw discs at a basket instead of using clubs to hit a ball toward a hole.
Secondly, getting started in disc golf is very inexpensive. A quality three-piece driver, approach, and putter set can be purchased for around $25. Additionally, unlike regular golf, most disc golf courses are entirely free to play, making it a very accessible sport to everyone, regardless of age or budget.
Roundnet (Spikeball)
Some may argue that roundnet (or Spikeball as it’s more commonly called) isn’t actually a sport but rather just a backyard game. However, its spike in popularity (pun intended) has led to the formation of a professional division where sponsored teams compete for thousands of dollars in prize money each year.
Gameplay itself is pretty simple. According to the official Spikeball website: “A player starts a point by serving the ball down onto the Spikeball net so it ricochets up at his opponents. The returning team has up to 3 hits between them (think bump, set, spike) to return the ball back onto the net. The rally continues until a team can’t return the ball onto the net within their three touches.” Like in volleyball, “Games are typically played to 11, 15, or 21.” So if you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced sport that you can play anywhere with your friends, roundnet is for you.
PickleBall
Pickleball has been around since the sixties. However, until recently, the sport was only playable through tennis clubs and private facilities. Now though, pickleball is gaining international recognition, and public courts are popping up left and right. This paddle sport shares the same basic rule structure as tennis and ping pong, with its own unique serving regulations and swing techniques. If you are looking for a sport that combines the pace of ping pong with the physicality of tennis, you might want to give pickleball a shot.
Want to get Better at Your New Favorite Sport?
While the sports on this list might not be as physically demanding as their mainstream counterparts, exercising and training for them can benefit you physically and give you a competitive edge over your opponents. SportZtars makes it easier than ever to pick up a new sport and train in a way that will allow you to excel at it, all from the comfort of your own home! So what are you waiting for? Download the SportZtars app today, and take your fitness to the next level.
