The Best Stunt Sports for You to Try This Summer

With the rise of outdoor yoga, hiking, cycling and even scootering — it seems more and more people are ditching their treadmills for tarmac in a bid to stay active.

This is with good reason: exercising in the great outdoors is proven to help maintain a healthy weight, increase energy levels and strengthen immunity, more so than indoor athletics. What’s more, the exposure to sunlight helps to maintain the body’s natural circadian rhythm and increases Vitamin D intake, resulting in a better night’s sleep.

In addition to its numerous physical benefits, moving in nature also improves mental health. A 2011 study indicated that exercising outdoors rather than in a gym decreased levels of tension, depression and anger in its participants.

With this in mind, what better way to clock up your “green exercise” than by learning a new stunt sport? Not only will this help you keep fit, but it will also get your heart pumping and could enhance your mood. Here are five of the most popular stunt sports that anyone can try.

Stunt Scootering

The thrill of riding a scooter is no longer reserved for children. Now, people of all ages are using kick scooters to keep fit, practice new tricks and as a method of transport. Much like the BMX bike, stunt scooters are now immensely popular with both hobbyists and professional rides.

One of the greatest benefits of this sport is that it can be practiced anywhere. You can take your scooter to your local park, to an empty car park space or even to the streets. If you’re just getting started, the Sacrifice range at www.skates.co.uk is recommended by the pros. Currently, the most fashionable model is the Flyte Scooter. Its popularity is due to its lightweight build that allows stunt riders to perform tricks and jumps with ease.

Free Running

Free running, also known as parkour, first evolved from military obstacle courses in 1980s France. Since then, it has become a recognised stunt sport in the UK, US and Europe.

Parkour is a non-competitive sport with a focus on balance, spatial awareness, agility and coordination. It is typically practised in groups, but can also be enjoyed as a solitary activity. The sport typically utilises urban outdoor spaces, encouraging freestylers to explore their environment in a more dynamic way by climbing, jumping and vaulting.

Freestyle BMX

Bicycle motocross, or BMX, first originated in America in the early 1970s as a way to help kids get into motocross. It soon became a phenomenon in its own right, however, hitting its boom in the 1980s. Freestyle BMX now consists of five disciplines: street, park, vert, trails and flatland. It has become so popular that it will now feature in the 2020 Summer Olympics, giving you plenty of time to get as good as the pros.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline fix, as well as a way to get active outdoors, learning a new stunt sport could be the perfect fitness activity. Just remember to wear the appropriate protective gear and be prepared for a few bumps and bruises along the way.