10 Healthiest sports, according to Forbes

    You all know of the different weight loss programs and fitness instruction DVDs that are out there just waiting for us to use them. We get a little apprehensive to purchase anything because we do not know what actually works, and we know less about what is healthy for us to do or use.

    Forbes has compiled a list of the ten healthiest sports it says can get you back in gear to lose weight and stay fit, the healthy way.

    1. Squash – This sport helps to build muscle strength and endurance in the lower body. It also increased flexibility in the back and abdomen.

    2. Rowing – This non-weight bearing sport is perfect for a total body exercise. It works wonders for cardiorespiratory health, muscular strength and endurance. Lean muscle can be built throughout.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    3. Rock climbing – This indoor-outdoor sport is great for strength, endurance and flexibility throughout the body, while constantly building lean muscle. It does not do much to promote cardiorespiratory health.

    4. Swimming – This total body sport, which directly impacts cardiorespiratory health and overall muscle endurance.

    5. Cross-Country Skiing – This snow sport is a total-body workout that targets every large muscle group in the body. It also aids in increasing the rate in which the metabolism works, which greatly intensifies calorie burn.

    6. Basketball – This popular sport works pretty much everything in the body, from the cardiorespiratory system to calorie burn to building strength and endurance.

    7. Cycling – This sport has major benefits for cardiorespiratory health, body composition, and muscular endurance.

    8. Running – This sport does great things for cardiorespiratory endurance.

    9. Modern Pentathlon – This less trendier version of the triathlon offers cardiorespiratory benefits and tests flexibility and endurance.

    10. Boxing – This combat sport is a jab for cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular endurance.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal