Wrestling is a great way to get a cardio workout, strengthen your muscles and pin down your annoying siblings. Find out more about how you can get involved in one of the world's oldest sports.
Wrestling - Getting Started
Wrestling might be the world's oldest sport. It was a part of the ancient Olympic Games and has been a part of virtually every culture throughout history. You've likely already wrestled at some point - either by trying to pin down your brother on the living room floor or taking down your friends on the school playground. If you'd like to get more involved with the sport, talk to your P.E. teacher at school, as most schools have some sort of wrestling program for kids as young as nine. There may also be community wrestling clubs in your area that you can join. Wrestling is also a relatively inexpensive sport to join. You can get a pair of wrestling shoes, a singlet (those tight-fitting wrestling suits) and head protection for less than a $100.
Wrestling - Physical Benefits
Wrestling is a fun, competitive sport that also has many reat physical benefits. The sport provides a good cardiovascular workout and is a good way to strengthen your balance. Many pro athletes from other sports, including linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, wrestled in high school or continue to wrestle now as a way to stay in shape and improve their coordination. Wrestling is also a great sport for building discipline and self-confidence.
Wrestling and Girls
While wrestling continues to be a sport that mostly practiced by guys, the opportunities available for girls in wrestling are growing every year. Women's wrestling is now an official medal sport at the Olympics and there are more girls' wrestling teams than ever before. If you're a girl who's interested in joining a wrestling team, don't let the outdated ideas of some discourage you. There are many opportunities out there and learning to wrestle may help you pin down that hottie from your class who's eluded you so far.
Wrestling - Did You Know?
- The first Olympic wrestling match took place at the ancient Olympics in 708 BC.
- There are two main styles of wrestling: greco-roman and free style. In the greco-roman style, holds are allowed from the waist up. In free style, holds are allowed on the whole body.
- Points are scored in wrestling for taking an opponent down to the mat, exposing an opponent's back to the mat and for reversing a hold.
