The National Sporting Goods Association puts out an annual list of the top 10 participation sports every year.  The latest data shows a hefty percentage of the US population participating in sports.  However the threshold to make the list is pretty low.  A participant is someone age 7 or older who takes part in a sport or activity more than once in a calendar year.  Given our obesity rates I imagine most respondents don’t work out 3 to 5 times per week as generally recommended. 

There are some good ideas in the list if you’d like to try out something new.  Here’s to inspiration …

10.  Weight Lifting ~ 37.5 million participants

9.  Hiking ~ 38 million 

8. Worked out at a Health Club ~ 39.3 million

7. Fishing ~ 42.2 million

6.  Bike Riding ~ 44.7 million

5. Camping (Vacation/Overnight) ~ 49.4 million

4. Bowling ~ 49.5

3.  Exercising with Equipment ~ 63 million

2. Swimming ~ 63.5 million

1. Walking ~ 96.6 million 

Walking has held the number one spot since 1990 but it had a significant jump from the prior year up 6.8 million people or 7.6%. 

By the way, as a fitness trainer, fishing and camping don’t count unless you’re reef fishing with a hand thrown spear or you’re idea of camping includes hiking up a mountain to get to the camp site!  

Would love your thoughts on this list.  Are there any here that you haven’t done recently that you’d like to do?  I’d have to say for me my hiking has been down since I had my son seven years ago, but now that he’s older I plan on taking him out a few times this summer.

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