To ask you to recommend me a sport?

[Southwig22]

I'm looking to take up a new sport and get healthier this year (triggered by recent illness, not a new year's resolution as such.)

I've given up my animal related sports due to work and not replacing the animals, hence having a gap to fill.

I can't think what I'd like to do but want something ideally social and team based (to make some new friends) and I'm probably better at strength Vs cardio. I wouldn't want anything like rugby or football, I don't think.

What do people do and recommend?

Why not give rugby a try, great team spirit, and fun, at most local club levels it's more social than anything. The camaraderie is brilliant, it's cheap and suits all levels of fitness and ability.

Netball. Lots of clubs all over including Back to Netball if you've not played in a while or Walking Netball if you don't want too much cardio too soon.

Archery. You build a lot of arm / back muscle, and a surprising amount of walking happens, going to and from targets.

Most clubs have equipment you can borrow while you figure out if you enjoy it, plus they run intro classes. It's also quite social, and there are comps if you want to.

It's also weirdly very zen, you have to kind of get into the right mindset. I love it.

I second Brazilian juijitsu- I run a ladies only class and we are sociable and it's so much fun- go to a gym with a few lady members to build your confidence up and I have never been fitter or healthier- my kids also do it!
You can compete if you like and it's addictive

Dance!
iceskating

This does sound interesting.

I wouldn't want to do anything too physical or with weapons. Is it quite popular? Just thinking whether I'd be able to find a local club.

No weapons at all and really popular there are loads of clubs all around the uk

Depends where you are of course, but it's grown hugely in popularity so there's new places opening up all the time.
In terms of how physical it is, it depends on the club but in most, a large proportion of the class is learning techniques which is done slowly and controlled - so it's not that physical (not in a cardio sense at least)
Once you've learned the basics you'd start sparring (rolling) but you can choose your partners and go as chilled or as hard as you're comfortable with.

It is more adaptable than most marital arts in that sense (eg you're not having to take strikes, you're not ruining your wrists hitting heavy bags) and in my experience a lot of people join it in their 30s/40s/50s for that reason.

If you're willing to give an idea of location, might be able to recommend places.

Tennis! It's lots of fun and very social. Clubs often take part in leagues where you can play doubles as part of a team. It's a sport for all ages too. There are people still playing in their 80s that I know.

I feel I should caveat my previous post - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is physical in the sense that its also known as aggressive cuddling! Just not physical in the sense of cardio, or judo where you're getting thrown a lot.

www.goodgym.org/

if there's one near you