Inexpensive team sports hobbies for non sporty people

[stickingtothepaper]

Hi!

I am not physically very strong and sporty and I really want to change that.

Im also increasingly isolated and would love to meet new people trough hobbies.

I was just looking up a local ju jitsu club, for example. Looks very friendly, lots of women my age (early 40s). The price is from 70pcm, however. I cannot afford that at the moment.

I thought I'd ask if you started a regular sport recently, what is it, how much are you paying, would you recommend it for its social aspect?

TIA

Walking groups or a couch to 5k group, or volunteering weekly at parkrun?

parkrun - it's free, just register online, get a barcode and turn up! You can run, walk and volunteer so a great way to meet new people, particularly through volunteering.

Rugby.

At our club a woman can join in with training sessions to get fit with no expectations they would ever play in an actual match if they don't want to. And its free at the moment as part of growing women's rugby

Canoeing/paddlesports can be quite cheap as well.

Our local rowing club is £36 a month, which is unlimited use of the weights and ergos plus the actual boats once you pass the learn to row coaching to be signed off as safe. Very friendly, and as you do the learn to row in crews you get to know people and there is a decent amount of getting ready and putting away time which allows chatting

Open water swimming is a bit of a thing round here and they seem like a sociable bunch (although not my cup of tea at all!) The Bluetits Chill Swimmers | Cold Water Swimming Groups

Thank you! I hadn't considered many of the things mentioned.

We do have lakes and water sports nearby but I can't swim so not sure I can sign up for those.

Tai Chi £7 per session

Archery. You don't need to very strong or sporty. Most clubs will have equipment you can use until/if you decide to buy your own.

Walking netball is a thing - v popular with people getting back into exercise.

Basketball is inexpensive.

A lot of hockey clubs now have walking hockey or 'Get Back to Hockey' recreational sessions. These are mixed and open to all levels even if you haven't played before.

Parkrun and particularly volunteering is also a great shout.

Bellringing is good for being social, the team element, and mobility (a bit like tai chi or something) - but it’s not an intense physical workout. It doesn’t cost anything or if it does it’s a couple of quid for a trip or something. (It’s also possible to get paid to ring for weddings.)

what about learning to swim then?

+1 for parkrun, and volunteering at it. Free!

I mean you can volunteer for parkwalker or tailwalker and just walk round, at first, if you need to save up for running shoes and a sports bra.

Could even volunteer to sac or time or hand finish tokens out, if you don't want to walk - you can chat with the other volunteers (marshalls often stand alone, though the runners wave as they pass!).

Work up from there to joining a local running club - I know you said "team sports" but you do compete not only for yourself but also for the club, and it's super social as people chat while running, share lifts to races, chat before and after...

Taking you so much for the responses. Very much appreciated.

Park run clashes with my dc's Saturday club but I'll see if there's anything I can do about that.