Growing up, most people take part in at least one sport, but relatively few people keep that hobby going into adulthood. Kids participate in sports for lots of reasons: to burn off some steam, to learn new skills, to experience teamwork, to discover what commitment and routine look like outside of the classroom. Often, though, the number one reason why kids join sports teams is to make new friendships and strengthen connections they’ve already established in school.
Adults can enjoy sports for the very same reason, but it may be daunting for someone who hasn’t consistently played sports in years to pick up the habit again. Plus, it may seem difficult to find time for organizing and playing sports when you’re juggling work, family, and other interests.
However, there are sports groups all over the world designed with these concerns in mind. One of the most popular categories on Meetup, there are more than 4.3 million people taking part in over 2,600 sports groups across the globe! It’s not hard to find a beginner-friendly community of people making it easier to commit to physical activity, recreation, and friendly competition.
What a sports group can do for you
The benefits of reigniting an old passion for sports, or exploring a sport that’s new to you, are profound. For starters, regular exercise is one of the most important factors in physical health. According to Manhattan Medical Arts, playing sports contributes to everything from weight control and better circulation to stronger immunity and lower blood pressure. On the mental health side, sports-players tend to have higher self-esteem and better mechanisms for coping with stress.
Beyond these fundamentals, playing sports has also been shown to increase one’s decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Not to mention the fact that, with a Meetup sports group, you’ll keep connected to your local community through camaraderie-building activities that are otherwise hard to come by as an adult. Casual sports are a great way to shake up the weekly grind, keep you motivated and energized, and bring an aspect of diversity to your normal routine.
Popular sports groups on Meetup
No matter what sports you like, you’re bound to find Meetup communities getting together to play, even if your interest is as niche as underwater hockey! Here’s just a small selection of the limitless sporting possibilities available.
Volleyball groups
Volleyball allows for big groups, requires minimal equipment, and has a low barrier to entry. In coastal, warm-weather cities like San Diego and Miami, it’s not surprising that beach volleyball groups flourish. But you might not expect a beach volleyball Meetup group of nearly 6,700 members to be thriving in northern Texas! DFW Volleyball (Dallas Region) regularly gathers at an incredible volleyball bar with full-size outdoor sand courts and stadium lighting.
Pickleball groups
The new sensation sweeping the nation, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. According to National Geographic, there are nearly 5 million players across the country today (a 40 percent increase from just two years ago).
Pickleball is a fun and often low-key sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Instead of a tennis ball and a racket, you use a plastic ball and a simple paddle. The court size is much smaller than tennis, making it a great option for casual players or anyone with limited mobility.
The pickleball craze is taking hold everywhere: you can find Pickleball for Fun plus Brunch playing at Brooklyn Bridge Park, or Denver Pickleball – 20s, 30s, and 40s hosting beginner-friendly events all over town. In small cities you’ll find communities like the Cambridge Pickleball Meetup Group. This sport is just as popular, if not more so, in suburbs—the Willingboro Pickleball group in New Jersey has over 1,100 members!
Cycling groups
From casual bike rides in public parks to long-distance outings on city streets or rugged trails, cycling represents one of the most diverse sporting interests on Meetup.
For example, you could join easy-pace, no-drop rides where no one gets left behind with Senior Cycling (50+) Atlanta Bike Ride or Green Fleet Nashville City Cycling Group. In San Francisco, both Bay Area Cycling and Bike the Bay feature more moderate to medium-difficulty rides, recently exploring Sonoma wine country and doing combination bike+Amtrak trips to Sacramento. For an all-out adventure, check out a group like Zombie Camels Mountain Bike Club – Atlanta Social MTB & eMTB.
Make activity a priority
With so much to be gained from participating in sports, it’s a wonder that many adults don’t keep a sporting hobby. It’s as easy as finding the right Meetup group for you, or simply creating your own Meetup group, and moving your body.
Find events, join groups, and communicate with your people—from anywhere. Download the Meetup app today!
Last modified on November 1, 2023
