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Published 17 January 2023 4 min read
Grassroots Football

10 reasons why you should take up walking football

Written by:

Jack Ramful

Walking football is a variation of the traditional game of football. It is played at a slower pace, with an emphasis on walking rather than running.

Walking football was created to provide an alternative for people who struggle or may not be able to play traditional football due to a variety of reasons, including age, injury, or other physical limitations.

Walking football is technical, challenging and a brilliant way to carry on playing the best game in the world. So here are 10 reasons why you should consider starting to play walking football:

1. Low Impact Sport

It's a low-impact sport that's easy on the joints, making it a perfect variation of the game without any of the soreness the day after!

2. A sport suitable for everyone

Anyone can take part! It's suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Regardless of your fitness and endurance levels, the slower pace of walking football makes it accessible to a much wider audience than traditional formats of the game.

3. Social opportunities

Socialise, make new friends and meet new people. By joining local, casual or competitive games near you, you’ll have many chances to create bonds and new relationships with new groups of people.

4. Enjoy your exercise

It's a fun and enjoyable way to exercise. Whilst it can be competitive, most games have a casual feel and will guarantee you a laugh. It is also a great opportunity for you to get out of the house, enjoy the outdoors and get fresh air.

5. Improve health and wellbeing

It's a great way to improve your overall health and well-being. Regular exercise can help play a role in weight loss and improve your cardiovascular fitness. Playing regularly can also help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes by keeping active.

Walking football has many benefits to your physical and mental health
Walking football has many benefits to your physical and mental health

6. Improve balance & coordination

As with all formats of football, walking football will test and help improve your coordination and balance. This can help to prevent falls and accidents, especially in older adults.

7. Mental health benefits

It's an excellent way to improve your mental health and reduce stress. Once you step on the pitch, you’ll soon forget about the stresses of the day to day.

8. Better sleep quality

Regular exercise, such as walking football, is proven to help improve your sleep quality.

9. Flexibility & mobility

It can help improve your flexibility and mobility, and help offset how mobility can decline with age. Remember to stretch before and after playing to help encourage this too. It can also help improve your reaction time despite it being a slower format of the game.

10. Boost your self-esteem & confidence

It's an excellent way to boost your self-esteem and confidence. The benefits of regular exercise such as improved health, well being and mental health can have a powerful, positive impact on how you feel about yourself.

 

Finding a walking football game is easy. Use our find football tool to locate games near you and get playing!

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