Top 7 Physical and Mental Benefits of Playing Paintball

You and one opponent are left standing. Your heart is pounding in your chest, and you’re running out of breath. Nonetheless, you know that the enemy is close by, and stopping means defeat. You’re so caught up in the moment that you drop to your knees and crawl through the field, shrouded by tall grass. A paintball whizzes by your head. You hear the enemy approaching, so you push up from the grass and fire your marker in one quick movement, striking him square in the chest. “I’m hit!” he yells. The referee calls for a stop, and as you’re catching your breath, teammates surround you and bombard you with high-fives.

You’ve managed to combine exercise, bonding, team-building, and excitement all into one activity without even realizing it. How does paintball provide such an incredible mental and physical boost? We’re going to go in-depth to explore the top 7 health benefits of playing paintball.

Paintball is Great for Cardiovascular Health

When is the last time your heart was pumping, your legs were moving at maximum speed, and you were fully exerting yourself? Without even realizing it, you are pushing your body beyond its limits. As a result, you’re building up stamina and endurance at unprecedented levels. Often you’ll spend hours playing paintball and exercising without missing a beat. Thankfully, paintball safety has advanced so much in recent years that injuries are virtually non-existent. Minus a few small welts, you should come out unscathed, and you can get right back out onto the field.

Paintball is a Much-Needed Stress Reliever

If you spend most of your time in the office, paintball provides a convenient way to spend a few hours outdoors. Nothing relieves stress like spending time with friends, exploring a new area, and getting exercise. Even shooting a paintball can act as an outlet for built-up frustration. Not to mention getting that one up on a co-worker for later bragging rights!

Provides a Change Up In the Exercise Department

Have you ever had trouble getting out to the gym? Is it sometimes difficult to get into gear to head out for a walk or run? Motivation is a key factor in getting into shape, and paintball provides a great change of pace that can get you back into the competitive spirit. It helps to shake up any exercise routine by providing a fast-paced strength and cardio experience that makes self-improvement fun.

Helps Build Camaraderie

Everyone on your paintball team has a goal, and you need to work together to achieve it. This requires leadership, strategy, and execution. Successfully coordinating bonds teams together, boosts confidence, and brings out the best in everyone. Victory can only be achieved when everyone works together toward a common end. This makes paintball a great sport for an office outing or a family event.

Paintball Helps You Lose Weight

Paintball is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting, invigorating sports that almost anyone can play. By heading out to the field, you boost your metabolism while reducing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression. Every session of paintball is extremely intense, and as a result, you’ll burn calories faster than you would at a regular gym session or jog around the block. If you regularly play paintball, you’ll find yourself shedding pounds at an exciting rate.

A Full Body Workout

It isn’t often that you’ll find an activity that works out your upper body, lower body, core, and heart, all while increasing endurance—but paintball does just that. Often you’re so caught up in the moment, you’re so busy running, jumping, diving, turning, chasing, crawling, or climbing that you don’t even realize you’re getting a full-body workout until the soreness kicks in the next day. That soreness is an incredible feeling of accomplishment that helps to boost confidence as well as strength. If you incorporate paintball into your schedule regularly, you’ll notice increases in muscle tone and strength in no-time.

Endorphin Releasing Entertainment

There’s no doubt about it, getting chased or chasing an opponent, firing paintballs through the air, and getting a stinging shot on the arm all greatly increase serotonin levels and release endorphins. This gives your body a rush that makes the sport of paintball unlike any other. The adrenaline-fueled adventure often brings us back to our childhood, evoking memories of running carefree through the woods, laughing, and having a great time. These feelings increase mental well-being as well as heart-health. Paintball truly is a unique sport, and the only way to experience all it has to offer is to get out there and play.

So the next time you find your self looking for a unique way to exercise and get into shape, consider looking up your local paintball field. Whether you are headed out for a team build exercise or just picking up a game with new friends, paintball is sure to get your heart racing ... and might just provide some added health benefits as well.