Table tennis is a sport that can be enjoyed by individuals of any age and physical ability. Top table tennis players are some of the greatest athletes in the world, yet it is enjoyed by millions of disabled persons and folks in retirement homes. Playing table tennis is a great way to stimulate the brain and promote quick thinking while improving hand-eye coordination.
Table tennis is the most popular racket sport in the world. Though
many just enjoy playing table tennis in the basement, there are over 300
million active members of governing associations world-wide. It is
enjoyed by millions of families across the world, and over 20 million
play table tennis recreationally in the US alone.
Here are just a few benefits from the sport of table tennis:
THE FAMILY SPORT
Played at home amongst family members!
How many sports can be played at home? Amongst family members? Take
some time to enjoy table tennis at home with your parents or kids, what
other physical activity can you enjoy together? One hour per week can
make a big difference. Table tennis is a tried and true staple of
American homes, proven to bring families together through a
non-electronic channel.
"I am 40 and my son is 15, we play table tennis twice a week and it
has really help us stay connected. Although our entertainment choices
are totally different, we both love table tennis, it's our time
together. With my busy schedule, this time is crucial to our
relationship. It has helped our relationship so much I am starting to
play with my own father."
-- Killerspin customer and working dad
THE LIFETIME SPORT
Table tennis - "high-speed chess"
Table tennis is accurately described as 'high-speed chess'. The
mental alertness encouraged by the sport's tactical challenges is
particularly good for seniors. The ability to concentrate on applying a
tactic is good for all ages. Table tennis is available year-round as a
social outlet. It is one of the few sports in which size, age, and sex
are irrelevant competitive factors. This aspect has led to its adoption
as the world's most popular life sport and the slogan: "TABLE TENNIS: ANYBODY, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE".
INTERGENERATIONAL SPORT
Table tennis can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders!
"I am the director of park district facility. We have been trying to
find a way for our teenagers to interact with men from our community.
Most of our teenagers wanted to play basketball at our facility. Not
many men over 40 can or want to play basketball with these kids. On the
suggestion of one of our community members we started a table tennis
club. What a difference. We have many father and sons coming out to
play, we have participants playing together that range in age from 8 to
80. It has been the answer we were looking for. Our young people now
know and interact with the adults in our community."
-- Killerspin customer and Park District Director
SECONDARY SKILL SPORT
Pro athletes & table tennis
Table tennis, when played competitively, has an impressive list of
physical benefits, the most obvious of which is eye-hand coordination.
The speed, spin and placement of the ball are crucial, and practiced
players are expert in both creating and solving puzzles involving these
three attributes.
Improved reflexes result because of the fast-paced nature of the
sport over very short distances. Both gross and fine muscle movements
are improved. The game is distinguished by bursts of exertion and
recovery, leading to fast-twitch muscle development.
Table tennis is commonly played by athletes that require extreme
quickness, fast decision making abilities and hand-eye coordination.
Table tennis is often called "high-speed chess" and many professional
baseball, hockey and basketball players, golfers, boxers, and tennis
players play table tennis during the off-season to improve these skills.
Check out our videos with Johnny Damon and NHL events
SAVE THOSE JOINTS
Improve strength - save your joints
Table tennis is a perfect sport for those who want a competitive,
fast-moving sport without putting stress on your ankles, knees and back.
Have you had knee surgery, back problems, tired of twisting your
ankles? Try table tennis. It’s a great way to improve your leg, arm and
core strength without overtaxing your joints.
"I am looking for a place to participate in the sport of table
tennis. I am a physical education instructor who is recovering from knee
surgery and I need to begin to seek out another competitive sport
besides volleyball, basketball and softball as my knees will no longer
take the punishment."
-- Killerspin customer and P.E. teacher
SAFE SPORTS ALTERNATIVE
Strength, speed and quickness with little injury risk
As a non-contact sport, using a ball that weighs only a few grams,
table tennis is practically a risk-free game. Table tennis players do
not run the risk of being struck by lightning, breaking bones, banging
heads, concussion, or being mistaken for a deer.
You can build strength, speed and quickness without risking serious
injury. There a millions of serious sports-related injuries every year
in the United States, but you can get all the benefits of an Olympic
sport without risking serious injury.
"My son is smaller and thinner than most of his classmates. He was
like a lot of teenagers, looking for acceptance in all the wrong places.
I got him involved in table tennis about a year ago, the effect on him
has been amazing. He has won trophies at local tournaments that he shows
to his friends. He has become more physically fit and has higher
self-esteem. The transformation has been incredible."
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