Monday, March 03, 2014

Sports Equipment that is not "One Size Fits All"

Some sports equipment really is “one size fits all” and some really isn’t. Soccer balls are a standard size and weight depending upon the age of the players, ditto volley-balls and basketballs. Tennis rackets are available in many different sizes and weights to suit the player and can make a big difference to your game.
Here are a few of the pieces of sports equipment which really do need to be fitted correctly for the best performance, comfort and safety.

Baseball bats – are available in many different lengths and weights to suit the age and needs of the player. Bats start at around 24” for younger players from around 5 years up to the full length bat which measures 34”. Having the right size of baseball bat is important for the safety and performance of the player and allows the younger player to really work on their technique and form becoming a good all round player.


• If a young player has difficulty holding the bat out for more than around 20 seconds without their arm shaking it’s too heavy.
• Lighter bats mean larger “sweet spots” – new players need to learn to hit the ball as close to the “sweet spot” as possible so the larger the “sweet spot” the better in the beginning.
• The bat needs to be light enough to hit the ball with speed and power – light is always the way to go when learning.

bowlingball – any keen bowler must have the right weight and size of bowlingball – with finger holes of the correct size. If the finger holes are too small their fingers could become trapped which is an extremely painful experience. The right size hole and ball will also result in a better game. Bowling balls are available in a variety of sizes to suit the strength and size of the individual. Using a ball which is too heavy will result in the player becoming over tired and not being able to use sufficient power, it can also cause wrist problems. Check out the great selection at Bowlers Paradise – they know all there is to know about finding the right bowling balls.


Exercise ball – there is also an optimum size to choose when selecting an exercise ball. This type of gym equipment is a fabulous addition to any exercise routine just so long as you’ve got the right size. As a rule of thumb a person measuring between 5’ and 5’4” needs a ball of 55 cm, someone a little taller between 5’4” and 5’11” should get a ball of 65 cm and anyone over 6’ tall will need a 75 cm ball.

Helmets – are important for many sports like baseball, hockey, football, skateboarding, skiing, softball, biking . . . loads of sports. It is important that you choose a helmet for the specific sport you play (different helmets are designed for different types of impact and accident) and that your chosen helmet fits snugly on the head without tilting forwards or backwards.

Mouthguards – are a vital piece of equipment in many sports to protect the teeth, gums and tongue. These can be purchased at many sports stores in a variety of sizes, it is important that you find a mouthguard of the correct size for it to work efficiently.


Jump ropes – even skipping or jump ropes are available in a variety of lengths and weights for the perfect fit – if your jump rope is too short to reach the ground it will trip you, if it is too long it will trip you too.