If I told you that you could burn off about 261 calories per hour and still socialize with other people and have fun, not really even feel like you were exercising; would you do it?
A physically fit bowler will actually acquire the components of physical fitness at a relatively decent level. Strength; carrying the ball requires body strength. Positions held by the body when executing this skill require the strength of almost all body muscles; so that lower and upper body strength will be developed. Along with strength comes power; the delivery of the ball takes a certain degree of power. But not too much… yet not too little. It’s an exercise in resistance. Of course a person should exercise all of their muscles in ways other than bowling. That will in fact, help your game. But just lifting all of those bowling balls can really work your arms alone.
I know what you’re thinking; cardiovascular workout? Bowling? Granted, endurance at aerobic levels is a very minor part of bowling, but necessary to avoid fatigue in the middle of a game. After a several day tournament, do you not feel the need to recover? (No, not hung over.) Of course you do. Your endurance was tested. Regular bowling, as an exercise, will help increase your endurance gently; unlike pushing yourself in a gym. And finally, what kind of a bowler would you be without flexibility? The whole motion of bowling stretches your muscles and in time, improves flexibility.
Now I’m not saying that if you go bowling every weekend you’ll be the next Chuck Norris or Christie Brinkley, I’m simply stating that bowling on a regular basis could help someone gradually tone up their muscles and increase their endurance and flexibility. And what, after all, does one exercise for? Come on you know this one.
