Frisbee, Anyone?

by Leslie Aronson — April 19, 2008

If you're tired of the gym and the more conventional exercise routines, look into finding some alternatives. While throwing a Frisbee can be a good excuse to get outside, it can also turn into a fun workout. Ultimate Frisbee, a quirky sport with a devout following from those who play, is a great - and different - way to get in some exercise as well as exercise your competitive side. If you're not sure where to find a game, or want more details on the sport, visit the official Web site of the governing body for Ultimate Frisbee in the U.S. -- there are pick-up games just about everywhere.

As described on the UPA site, Ultimate combines the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football. A game of Ultimate is played by two seven-player squads with a high-tech plastic disc on a field similar to football. The object of the game is to score by catching a pass in the opponent's end zone. A player must stop running while in possession of the disc, but may pivot and pass to any of the other receivers on the field. Ultimate is a transition game in which players move quickly from offense to defense on turnovers that occur with a dropped pass, an interception, a pass out of bounds, or when a player is caught holding the disc for more than 10 seconds. The nature of Ultimate can lead to an intensely heart-pounding, rigorous workout, as players run up and down the field. If you want a workout that's guaranteed to be mentally as well as physically active, give your Frisbee a fresh look.