Since the pandemic has caused social distancing to be the new normal, many people may be looking for a sport they can play alone.
If you are on the fence about which individual sport to choose, you’re in the right place.
Here is a list of the top ten most enjoyable solo sports in the world to help you choose the best one for you.
Top Ten Most Enjoyable Solo Sports
Swimming
Swimming, one of the oldest sports in the world, is also one of the most enjoyable. In fact, swimming is known to release endorphins, thus improving your overall mood and releasing stress.
Spending at least an hour in the water is not only relaxing but great for your health as well. Older people, in particular, find that swimming works wonders for ageing bones, arthritis, injuries and disabilities.
All you need to get started with this sport is to find a fitness centre near you. For those who want to try something a bit more exciting than doing laps in a swimming pool, wild swimming, which involves swimming in lakes, the sea or rivers, is another way to get a full-body workout and have a lot of fun in the process.
| Pros | Cons |
| Gives you a whole body workout | Gym memberships can go up to £50 a month |
| Helps with injuries | |
| Burns calories |
Golf
Often called ‘the greatest game ever played, golf is an incredibly popular individual sport, enjoyed by 693,600 people in England alone.
Even though it is first and foremost a competitive sport, golfing is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It is also very good for your mental health and abilities as it teaches accuracy and focus and encourages creative thinking.
For those who think that golf is for older people and businessmen only, you should be aware that this sport provides an amazing workout as well. Actually, golf can make sure you stay fit by helping you build muscle tone and endurance, as well as lose weight and body fat.
| Pros | Cons |
| You are never too young or too old to play | Equipment can be quite expensive |
| You are exercising without even noticing | |
| A very rewarding sport |
Related: World’s richest golfers
Cycling/ Mountain Biking
Known to boost cardiovascular health, posture, joint mobility and reduce stress, cycling (and by extension its wild cousin, mountain biking) is one of the best solo sports to try. What’s more, you are not restricted by weather, terrain or costly fitness centre membership—all you need is a helmet, a bicycle in decent shape, and the will to take it on the road.
Best of all, you don’t have to be one of the best professional cyclists to enjoy these solo sports. Anyone can learn how to ride a bike, although, if you want to try mountain biking it’s good to have a few practice runs on rocky terrain beforehand. After that, simply find an outdoor trail that works for you and steer clear of trees.
| Pros | Cons |
| High adrenaline sport that requires endurance, speed & balance | You would need a specially designed mountain bike |
| Mentally relaxing & total body workout | |
| Environmentally friendly |
Related: Best Extreme sports
Kayaking
If you enjoy exploring open waters, kayaking is one of the best single sports for you. Not only does it improve upper body and core strength, it is also an incredibly relaxing and fun activity that you can do even if you don’t have any previous experience.
Plus, you have a wide range of options in terms of intensity as kayaking can be done almost anywhere—from rivers to lakes and the ocean.
Absolute beginners would only need a few essentials such as a kayak (obviously), a double-bladed paddle and waterproof clothes and shoes. Those who want to dabble in sport kayaking may need more equipment and training. In both cases, though, you would need access to the water and decent weather conditions since kayaking is one of the hardest sports in the world.
| Pros | Cons |
| Inflatable kayaks are sold for £20 | You must have access to water |
| Can improve endurance & focus | |
| Great for people of all ages |
Rollerblading
Although typically seen as a young person’s sport, today you can find people of all ages on rollerblades. One of the reasons is that rollerblading is a great exercise for the whole body, toning arms and legs, building muscle strength and improving balance.
In addition, rollerblading is a great way to get around. Forget cars and parking spaces, all you need is your skates and safety equipment and you can go anywhere where there is tarmac.
As an alternative, you can give ice-skating a try—another great sport you can do on your own. Keep in mind that ice-skating is a bit more limiting as you would have to find an ice rink near you or wait until it’s cold enough for one of the outdoor ice rinks.
| Pros | Cons |
| Improves posture & balance | You could get injured easily, especially if you do not have safety gear |
| Excellent cardio exercise | |
| Easy to add to daily routine |
Related: Olympic facts you should know
Surfing
One of the coolest solo sports out there, surfing is an excellent way to stay in shape and boost your coordination and balance. Plus, it involves regular cardio exercise which studies show contributes to better sleep and improved mental health.
Surfing involves more than just standing on the board and balancing your weight. There are several variations of the sport you can try, including kitesurfing, one of the newest trends in extreme water sports, windsurfing and wakeboarding.
Finally, riding the waves is more than a great recreational activity, but a competitive sport as well and for many a way of life. The only downside—you need access to the sea. So if you live near the coast, give surfing a try. You won’t find a more enjoyable individual sport.
| Pros | Cons |
| A fun way to burn calories | You rely too much on weather |
| You can a get a tan & get fit at the same time | You must have access to water |
| Great for heart health |
You may also like: Who are the Top Female Surfers?
Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
It’s easy to see why SUP is one of the top ten most enjoyable solo sports. A combination between surfing and kayaking, SUP allows you to work your core, leg and arm muscles and improve cardiovascular health with minimum effort. And since the risk of injuries is very low, SUP is the perfect activity for people in recovery.
But don’t be fooled by SUP’s low-impact nature. This is also a great sport for losing weight, as you burn 300 to 400 calories in just an hour.
Finally, SUP is one of the easiest sports to learn—simply get on the board and start paddling. However, if you want to make things more exciting, there are races and competitions you can enter even as an absolute beginner.
| Pros | Cons |
| Minimal learning curve | Can only be done on open water |
| Great for relieving stress | |
| Low-impact workout |
Skiing\Snowboarding
2 billion people watch the Winter Olympics every year, with skiing disciplines ranking among the top ten most followed events. However, despite being one of the biggest competitive sports, skiing is immensely popular as a recreational activity as well.
Skiing has tonnes of health benefits and is an incredibly varied sport, with disciplines to suit anyone’s taste and ability. For instance, beginners could stick to cross-country skiing, while adrenaline-seekers can try snowboarding.
Whichever one you go for, be aware that skiing and snowboarding require a hefty investment in equipment. You are also dependent on weather conditions and the availability of skiing centres in your area. But, if these requirements are met, there is no stopping you from having fun on the slopes.
| Pros | Cons |
| Strengthens joints & bones | Equipment can be costly |
| Engages core muscles | You need to access to snow and mountains |
| Improves mood & general wellbeing |
Gymnastics
Like most of the other individual sports on our list, gymnastics is both a competitive sport and recreational activity. Also, gymnastics ranks among the most popular sports in the Olympics.
Suitable for people of all ages, gymnastics requires balance, coordination, flexibility, and focus—all of which can help you improve motor skills, discipline and overall wellbeing. What’s more, it is reported that taking part in moderate gymnastics training on a regular basis can reduce the risk of asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
It is also a varied sport with disciplines suited to different abilities and styles. Participants with less experience can try trampolining, now an official Olympic sport according to gymnastics facts. More experienced gymnastics, on the other hand, can go for more difficult activities such as aerial gymnastics.
| Pros | Cons |
| A fun activity in any weather or season | Injuries can occur as gymnastics is a high-impact sport |
| Builds skills you can use in any other sport | |
| Improves physical and mental abilities |
Related: Hottest Gymnasts
Horseback Riding
Whether you consider it a hobby or a sport, horseback riding is a fun and engaging activity you can enjoy on your own (not counting the horse). Horseback riding is also one of the most popular sports in the UK.
This sport comes with a slew of benefits, from improving blood circulation and flexibility to reducing stress. As a matter of fact, horseback riding is said to have a therapeutic effect and be particularly helpful to people suffering from dementia, depression, and anxiety.
Bear in mind though, that horseback riding is probably the most expensive individual sport—lessons alone can cost £57 a week, not to mention riding gear and clothes. Expenses add up if you actually buy a horse as vet bills, food, and other expenses can reach up to £2,000 a year.
| Pros | Cons |
| Relaxing & therapeutic | Lessons can run up to £80/week |
| Helps develop reflexes & balance | |
| 45 minutes of riding can burn 200 calories |
Final Words
If you’re looking for a new way to challenge yourself and have some fun, consider trying out one of the most enjoyable solo sports mentioned above.
You may find that you love something you never thought you would or discover a new passion. Whichever sport you choose, we hope you have lots of fun!
You may also be interested in: