Social sports for non sporty people?

[snowdropsy]

I am not sporty. In school I was the one who got picked last, dropped the ball and could never remember who was on my team.

25 years later, I am trying to maintain a healthy weight. As I dislike exercise, it needs to be something social, to keep me accountable, help me enjoy it and keep me coming back. If I exercise alone I will quit. I would love to have an active hobby like badminton or netball or cricket. However, as an adult I think there is an expectation that you know how to play the game and are reasonably good (or this is how I feel) and I sadly don’t and am not.

Can anyone suggest a team sport that even an old toad like me could participate in? Or any words of advice?

With the sports you have mentioned, I think it's a case of finding the right "grade" for you. That would take a bit of work.

Other sports I would suggest are pickleball, a walking club, yoga and pilates. I'd also think about joining a gym. The ones near me are much more social than you might think with events like xmas parties. Also, you get to know people if you go at the same time or to the same class.

Look at your local golf club to see if they do a ladies beginners group - I joined a few years ago and it's the best thing I've found for getting out for done exercise and made loads of friends. Also see if your local WI has a younger persons wing.

Was going to suggest Archery but it's not really exercise.
How about a walking group? There's usually a few on Facebook. Our local U3A has a range of different levels but I don't think you're old enough for that.

Does it need to be a team sport? I could see something like Zumba fitting your requirements better.

I used to play on a ladies skittles team - not much exercise involved but it was great fun!

Walking netball? They usually do couch to court sessions, that's how I started playing again

Give cycling a go.
It feels just like it did as a kid, and seriously addictive.
What I love about cycling is I can do it socially in a group, with friends, kids etc or I can do it alone for some headspace, you don't get that with rugby for example.
It can also be utilitarian, as in popping to the shops and just going about your day on the bike.

What about aqua fit?

Wild swimming - have a look for local groups near you on Facebook.

Back to Netball is for people who haven’t played since school.

Women's rugby seems to really encourage new starters and tends to be really friendly. If you don't want to to contact, there is always touch rugby.

Does it have to be a team sport? What about something like cycling, hiking, climbing or even horse riding?

I was going to suggest golf as well. A lot of clubs have ladies beginners groups.

Pickleball! Honestly give it a go

Thanks for the suggestions. I can’t ride a bike but walking and pilates etc I could do. I was hoping to do something more team-focused so that I need to be there, and I am actually a good team player even if I am not that sporty. The thing with classes is if I don’t go then nobody will care!
But I do appreciate that as I don’t know how to play any sports that is quite a significant barrier 😂
They never actually taught me in school. Netball, hockey, football etc. If you were sporty they put you on the team, PE lessons became team practice essentially and they didn’t bother teaching the rest of us how to do it, we just got in the way basically. I didn’t even care about it until now, but I do regret not getting a better sports education.

What about a running club? They're generally very sociable and do stuff outside of the running. There are lots for mixed abilities.

Have a look for your local Back 2 Netball club. There are loads around so hopefully one near you. I am so unsporty and crap at all sports at school but I joined B2N a few years ago and now play in a local league which is so much fun. Our oldest player is in her 70s! It really is for all abilities/ages/fitness levels so please don’t be put off giving it a go. I know our sports centre has open badminton evenings too so that might be something to try. It will be hard and nerve wracking the first time but you might love it and then it doesn’t even feel like exercise 😊

I’ve recently joined a cricket club. There are a few very good players but most are just there for fun (most are mums of kids at the club but not all). And definitely no expectation that you are any good.
the softball tournaments are all about having a go and taking part.
It’s better exercise than I thought (currently aching from indoor training) and very friendly and sociable.

I don't think only team sports are social. I used to do pole fitness and that was super sociable and fun. Aerial fitness too but slightly less sociable, tend to be more extroverts at pole who get everyone chatting together! Pilates or yoga also fun for beginners but ime not likely to be sociable. Aqua aerobics - I've heard this is quite sociable from people I know who have done it before. Zumba or other similar dance fitness probably fun but not sure about sociable as can't really talk during the class!

My local netball teams aren't looking for just experienced top notch players.

They are open for all abilities.

Also agree with looking at Zumba class or even a bounce fitness class - they are social.

Even gyms can be social. My dad is great friends with his gym buddies and they were so supportive of him when my mum was poorly and then died. He does fitness classes though (he does cycling and circuits but the Zumba or aqua aerobics are the same).

Bowls - some clubs have members under 80 _ just joking - it's popular round here, in fact there are bowls clubs in most towns, and indoor bowls in the winter.

Look up women's softball cricket, it's probably exactly what you're looking for, it's summer only though.

Also 'return to' football/hockey/rugby etc. will take willing beginners.

Just go and have a laugh... it's all about fun, fitness and friendship first and foremost!!

Martial arts classes are very welcoming to adult beginners, and as you commonly work with a partner they are sociable and if you don't attend people will notice and encourage you back, but it's without the pressure of needing to win. There are people of all ages/shapes/sizes and abilities in them (and there's loads, from more traditional karate and Kung Fu to kickboxing, jiu jitsu, judo, capoeira, taekwondo etc)

I don't know if you were in school at a similar era to me but I hated school sport as they were only interested if you were athletic/talented and I certainly was not! But as an adult the groups/classes I've found to be much more inclusive. The exception can be some of the team sports that play in leagues, as they tend to be like you say, people who played the same sports at school. There are some 'just for fun' groups too though if you really want to do a team sport but you'll need to look around.

Cycling. Check if your local cycling club runs a women’s social ride. Or if there are Breeze rides (run by British Cycling volunteers) in your area. Coffee and cake guaranteed.

Women’s touch rugby is really taking off! Non contact and no experience necessary! Look up your local team

I'd give pickleball a go.
It does seem very sociable, non-competitive and gets you moving a little bit.
Then graduate on to badminton or tennis which are much better sports 😜