With all the excitement of buying guns and protective gear, the health and fitness benefits of Airsoft sometimes goes unnoticed…until it’s too late. When you’re left gasping for air being chased down by the opposition, you just didn’t realize how physical it could be.
When I attended my first game (and I class myself as fit enough), I wasn’t prepared for what was to come. By the end of the game, I knew I’d put in some serious graft. As for some of the others, some still seemed pretty fresh to me. This got me wondering if I was unfit or was doing something wrong and whether or not Airsoft is a good exercise.
Airsoft is a very good exercise and provides a great all-around workout, especially when playing outdoors. Every muscle group is worked as you walk, crawl, run and jump through the various environments. Airsoft can be a high or low-intensity game depending on how hard you want to play. Some players like to snipe and camp, whereas others like to run around racking up their hits.
Airsoft is not only a good physical workout but it can also improve other areas of your life such as mental well-being, social skills and problem-solving.
In this article, we’ll explore the physical demands of airsoft, the benefits it offers as a form of exercise, and how to maximize those benefits.
What Are The Health Benefits of Playing Airsoft?
The one thing that lets Airsoft down as a good exercise is frequency. Exercise needs to be done regularly for the best benefits and most people only play one game per weekend. But if it’s played as part of an existing health routine or you have your own games mid-week, then it’s an excellent addition.
That being said, playing Airsoft once a week for a full day is better than not playing at all and besides, there’s more than just the physical benefits. Let’s find out how beneficial it is as a good overall workout.
Physical Activity
As I discussed earlier, you can decide how intense Airsoft is. However, even for the laziest of Airsofters, some level of movement is required which is better than sitting on your arse.
Playing Airsoft requires a lot of moving around (unless you’re a camper, shame on you) and when you’re active for hours on end, this can only have a positive impact on your health. Some of the main physical benefits of Airsoft are weight loss, increase in stamina, improved joint motion strengthens muscles and improved cardio.
Did you know you can burn around 400 calories per game of Airsoft, maybe more if you’re constantly running around? Playing Airsoft for a full day could burn around 800 calories.
I’ve got to be honest here, although Airsoft is a good exercise, the real issue is frequency. While burning 400 calories is fantastic, on its own, it’s not a lot, but it’s certainly better than nothing. However, combine this with other activities during the week and a healthy diet and Airsoft can play a part in weight loss.
Running
We all know the benefits of running. The more we run, the better our cardio gets. And this applies to Airsoft. I’ve been to some fields where there have been more hills than flat ground. I’ll just say – it’s hard work, even if you’re walking.
But with every step you take, you are promoting a healthier you. By improving your cardio, you also increase your stamina levels, which we all know are an added bonus in the bedroom.
Joints
Now, for someone who suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis (me) the sound of moving joints should be enough to put me off. But it doesn’t. Joint movement is a necessity (although not to be overworked) to keep them in good working order. Joints ‘oil’ themselves when in motion and playing Airsoft helps build strong ligaments and tendons that support these joints.
Muscle
In addition to strengthening joints, ligaments and tendons, Airsoft can help strengthen and build muscle. You’re not going to get a Schwarzenegger physique any time soon, but you are going to build and strengthen some muscle. How? Because you are going to be using muscles all over the body you never normally used.
And when muscles are used often enough, the body will develop and strengthen muscles to suit the activity. So a great tip – carry a heavier Airsoft gun and pack all your stuff into a backpack. The extra weight will make your body work harder.
Improved Reaction Time
Airsoft is a fast-paced sport that requires quick reflexes and reaction time. The constant movement, tactical decisions, and the need to react to your opponent’s moves, can help improve your reaction time. This improvement in reaction time can also be beneficial in other sports and activities.
Balance and Coordination
Airsoft requires players to move quickly and change direction frequently. This type of movement helps develop balance and coordination. The need to aim and shoot accurately also requires good hand-eye coordination, which is beneficial in other activities, such as shooting sports or martial arts.
Mental Activity
First and foremost, I’m not saying that Airsoft or any other physical activity can resolve any mental illness. But from my own personal experience, I can definitely say that it can help towards making you feel better.
Endorphins. It’s a word most of us have heard. Simply put, it’s a feel-good chemical that is produced by the nervous system to relieve stress or pain and boost happiness. And one way to get your body to release endorphins is to exercise.
To some people, including myself, the thought of exercise is tough and a process in itself to get some done. However, once you find something you like it becomes much easier to do.
This is one good reason why Airsoft can be mentally positive. If playing with guns, shooting others is something you’re interested in, then this could be a great activity to start.
Apart from the physical aspects, there are others areas that can improve mental activity by playing Airsoft. And some of these are;
- Awareness. Airsoft helps sharpen the mind to what’s happening around us. You need to be aware of potential opposition and decide whether to make your move or run off.
- Analytic Thinking. Airsoft can be a tactical game and when tactics are involved, you need to on the ball. You need to think on the spot, logically and with precision.
- Team Building. Being part of a team promotes involvement, opinions, listening, challenging and most of all camaraderie. Each team member needs to know that you’ve got their back and they can trust you.
- Problem Solving. You will come up against problems. It might be on your own or as apart of a team. It could be a simple as an issue with your weapon, or you’ve got yourself lost. Either way, you need to be able to solve it.
- Being Outdoors. Being outdoors is great for the mind. It’s promoted more now in Mental Health that it ever has been. Just by being outdoors can reduce stress levels not to mention the great feeling of being out in the sun.
- Making New Friends. Meeting like minded people is an amazing feeling. You can talk about all things Airsoft without fear of being judged by those who think your boring.
These are just some of the common benefits. The list could go and on. And you will no doubt find your own personal benefits.
Maximizing The Benefits of Airsoft As Exercise
To maximize the benefits of airsoft as exercise, it’s important to approach the game with a focus on fitness. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of airsoft as a form of exercise:
- Warm Up: Before starting a game, take the time to warm up your muscles and prepare your body for physical activity. Stretching, light jogging, and jumping jacks can help increase blood flow and prevent injury.
- Stay Hydrated: Airsoft games can be physically demanding and cause you to sweat heavily. Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after games to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration.
- Use Proper Technique: When running, jumping, or crawling, use proper technique to avoid injury. For example, when crawling, use your arms to pull yourself forward and keep your body close to the ground to avoid straining your back.
- Wear Proper Gear: Wearing proper gear is essential for protecting yourself during airsoft games. Make sure to wear comfortable, breathable clothing and protective gear such as helmets, knee pads, and goggles.
- Vary Your Workouts: To avoid getting bored with airsoft, try different types of games and activities. This can help keep your workouts interesting and challenging, and prevent you from plateauing in your fitness progress.
Can You Lose Weight Playing Airsoft?
As mentioned above, the amount of calories burned during Airsoft depends on the intensity of how you play. The more intense you play, the more you could lose.
You can lose weight playing Airsoft as long as you combine it with other weekly exercises and a healthy diet. You can definitely burn excessive calories but unfortunately, it wouldn’t be enough on its own.
Let’s say you play Airsoft for a solid 3 hours during your game. This is actual game time. You could burn around 700 calories at high intensity, which is good but this is only for one day. If this is the only exercise you do all week, that’s equivalent to 100 calories a day, not really that good now.
However, combine this with other exercises like weight training, jogging or even walking every day and you start to rack up the calories used. Introduce healthy eating and you’re onto a winner.
Conclusion
Airsoft can offer a fun and challenging form of exercise that can provide a variety of physical and mental benefits. It requires players to engage in a range of physical activities, including running, jumping, crawling, and squatting. It can help improve cardiovascular fitness, strength.
