Just about everyone has played ping-pong at one time or another. But did you know it’s also a game that gives you significant health benefits that you can play your entire life? You can play competitively right up to your eighties and beyond.
Here are six good reasons to add a little pong to your life!
Reason #1: Table Tennis keeps you in shape
The game is great for working up a sweat and getting your heart rate up, but at the same time it’s easy on your body. Playing a friendly game of table tennis for an hour burns about 300 calories. That’s equal to a 27-minute power walk on a treadmill. Just a couple of hours a week hitting that little ball around can do wonders for your fitness.
Reason #2: Table Tennis keeps you young
In addition to being terrific cardiovascular and aerobic exercise, the sport keeps your reflexes and balance sharp. This is important because it can help prevent falls, which are common when we get up in years.
Reason #3: Table Tennis is also a mental workout
Like chess, there is plenty of planning and strategizing to keep you constantly thinking. It’s an easy game to play, but to win you often not only have to outplay your opponents, you have to out-think them. Studies show that beneficial brain changes are visible with high-tech imaging after just a few weeks.
Reason #4: Table Tennis is a great social sport
You’ll meet many new friends. Play singles, or grab a teammate and play doubles or mixed doubles. It doesn’t matter whether you’re big or small, young or old, or male or female. Even players with disabilities can successfully compete. It’s also one of few sports where children can compete against adults. It’s your skill that matters.
Reason #5: Table Tennis is inexpensive
There’s no high-priced equipment to buy (such as in golf, for example). You’ll probably want to purchase your own paddle at some point, but that’s no large investment. And any fees going to the club would be negligible, if there are even any all. All you need is the space to set up a few tables.
Reason #6: You can play Table Tennis all year around
As an indoor sport, you can play anytime day or night. You don’t have to worry about rain or summer heat and humidity.
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The Vero Beach Table Tennis Club meets every Monday from 6-9PM at “The Riverhouse” located at 305 Acacia Road in Vero Beach, Florida.
We have three brand new Stiga tables, with plans to add more soon. The club supplies 3-star balls for play. There are also some extra loaner paddles available.
For more information call 772-978-7103.
Update: The tables are here. The City of Vero Beach Recreation Dept. has signed off on the facility. We are good to go Monday night from 6PM to 9PM. Hope we see you there!
The Riverhouse
305 Acacia Road
Vero Beach FL 32963
The club will supply good quality 3-star balls for play. There are also some extra paddles available for use, but if you’re going to be a regular, you will probably want to get your own. Play will be free the first night. After that, as all TT clubs do, we’ll need to charge a few bucks to cover the facility rental. It won’t be expensive though.
Great news!
Looks like the first night of play for the Vero Beach Table Tennis Club will be Monday (August 1) at “The Riverhouse,” located at 305 Acacia Road, Vero Beach FL 32963.
Hours will be 6PM-9PM on Mondays. We will have three brand new Stiga tables to begin with.
The tables are supposed to arrive Wednesday and I have a meeting Thursday to finalize everything.
Do you have to pay? Do you have to bring your own paddle/balls?
Thanks,
See you next Monday.
After a full year, it looks like things are finally happening. There is a possibility of a location in Vero Beach on Monday nights or in Sebastian. I have ordered three tables which will arrive the last week in July, so if all goes as planned we will finally have a table tennis club in our area. I will post more soon. If you want to be informed of all the latest developments by email, drop me a note and I’ll add you to the list.
This is certainly out of the books point of view your article is. Thanks for such a great read tonight
Just a little update. Since July 2010 when I started the attempt to establish a table tennis club in Vero Beach, I’m gotten an enthusiastic response from local players, but zero cooperation from City and County officials in the search for a club location. I’ve also had no luck finding a private meeting hall or church/school gym who will step up.
I thought local officials would be proud to have an official USATT-affiliated table tennis club in Vero Beach and Indian River County, but apparently they see no need for civic involvement in a healthful, lifetime sport that benefits and brings together young and old.
All I am asking for is a few nights a week of usage with a secure space for table storage. I don’t consider this unreasonable considering that out of my own pocket I am willing to buy up to four professional quality tables for the use of players in our community. I will leave this offer on the table until July 1, 2011.
I can’t help you find a place to play, but I would certainly play when you find one. I live in Vero from October to May, and would be free to play any night. Please keep me posted.
Dick Farr
Have you tried Leisure Square in Vero Beach. They
might be able to accommodate. Also, I have just learned that table tennis is a very good sport for people with dementia, and would suggest you contact Alzheimer
Association in Vero Beach. Keep me posted. Thanks. http://alzheimersweekly.com/content/ping-pong-paddle-weapon-choice-battling-dementia
Here’s an article exploring some of the potential benefits of playing table tennis. There’s no reason Vero Beach should be without a table tennis club.
This Is Your Brain on Ping Pong