In recreational sports, people like a sense of “accomplishment.” It feels good to have done something.
Typically (like with endurance sports, or lifting weights), the more we do (weight, distance etc), the better we feel. This is largely a conditioned response.
Therefore, sports which allow us to express this, but without too much upfront discomfort tend to be the most popular.
For most people, the more we get to express the volume, and the less we have to limit this volume for the sake of things like “technique,” the better.
A couple of good examples of this include cycling, hiking, running (especially on a treadmill), doing standard gym routines, aerobics, pilates. These are shown in area 2, below.
We can quickly pick up these sports, regardless of our technique, mobility, adaptable strength etc, start applying frequency or volume and, even with average technique, keep forging forward*.
This is great in a way, as it allows people to become active very easily, with a low barrier to entry.
However, it’s also worth looking at the tails of the normal distribution curve. This is where very few people are playing, due to higher perceived barriers to entry: flexibility, patience, strength (cost etc would also be a barrier in something like race car driving.)
These tails though, deliver great returns. On the other side of a greater barrier to entry, we can often see long term, structural or mental changes and improvements.
Examples of activities on the left hand side of the curve, area 1 (less movement, subtle movements) might include:
- Seated, walking meditation, qigong, yin yoga
- Tai Chi
- Slow walking and other subtle movement
Examples of activities on the far right hand side of the curve, area 3 (these demand far greater movement, complexity and range of motion) might include:
- Martial arts
- Olympic weightlifting
- Gymnastics strength training
- Dance, capoeira, juggling
Although progress is can be slower at the start on the “tails” of the curve, there is a lot of hidden value that many miss.
This can make the initial hurdles well worth while.
These are also usually “less popular” sports or activities, so can be a little more difficult to “find” or get into.
*Of course, we need to address technique etc to truly reach a peak.
