Working out alone can be extremely cathartic, but if you’re looking to ramp up the fun factor while breaking a sweat, there really is no better way than to get your friends and family involved. After all, we humans are social animals!

While traditional team sports like football, basketball and touch rugby offer great fun, they often require considerable coordination and motor skills. Concerns about the physicality and risk associated with these contact sports might also deter some from participating. 

However, if you’re eager to explore new and exciting sports that go beyond typical contact activities, here are 8 options that are definitely worth checking out. These activities are not only enjoyable but also provide a wide range of benefits, from improving physical fitness and coordination to enhancing mental well-being and fostering team spirit among friends, family members and colleagues. 

Photo from Facebook/Red Dynasty Paintball Park Singapore 

Gel with your pals

Everyone’s heard of paintball, but have you heard of Gel Ball? It’s like paintball, but without the pain and stain. The ‘bullets’ used in Gel Ball are absorbent polymer beads made from sodium hydroxide and water, and they do little more than tickle when they hit you. This makes it a great activity for both adults and children. No more paint blotches on your clothes!

Check out Red Dynasty Paintball Park.

Photo from HomeTeamNS

Live out your ninja warrior aspiration

Get the adrenaline pumping while spending quality time with your friends and family at Adventure HQ. With eight installations, including Singapore’s longest indoor slide, vertical climbing walls, a 15-metre-high rope course and a Ninja Warrior-type Obstacle Course, you get to test your agility and strength like a true trooper. Children must be at least 1.25m in height.

Check out Adventure HQ.

Bubble up for fun

Everything you know about The Beautiful Game goes right out the window with this hilarious rendition of football. Try to pass the ball and score goals while encased in a huge inflatable bubble. In Bubble Soccer, it’s perfectly legal to bump your opponents out of the way. Most games end up being like a session of bumper cars, but with humans. Be lightly dressed — it gets hot inside those bubbles!

Check out Skypark Arena.

Shoot and siam (“get out of the way” in Hokkien)

Are you an expert at “shooting arrows” at your colleagues or dodging those from your boss? Archery Tag lets you be in your element and physically steamroll over the competition. Played in an arena with various obstacles, this game involves objectives like Capture the Flag and  Team Deathmatch. Don’t worry, those foam-tipped arrows don’t hurt at all.

Check out Archery Tag. 

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The power of the group

Group sports offer numerous benefits that make them an excellent choice for your next workout session:

• Playing sports together strengthens bonds with friends and family, creating lasting memories and fostering closer relationships. 

• Having others around ensures safety and provides spotters for those challenging exercises, reducing the risk of injury.

• Group activities are inherently more fun and interactive, keeping everyone engaged and motivated. 

• Many group sports don’t require a lot of equipment, making them easy and accessible for everyone. 

• Beyond the physical advantages, participating in group sports can significantly boost your mental well-being through social interaction and teamwork, offering both health and psychological benefits.

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Photo from Cohesion Singapore

Knight of fun

Go medieval with this awesome sport that lets you channel your inner King Arthur and become a knight in, erm, plastic armour. Sword Tag is like laser tag, but melee style — you defeat an opponent by poking the electronic sensor strapped to their chests with your foam sword. Just don’t poke anywhere below the waist.

Check out Cohesion Singapore.

Photo from Facebook/Poolball Singapore

Cue your shot

If you find pool and billiards too difficult to master, give Poolball a try. A combination of pool and football, this gentle sport is perfect for groups that want to get moving without panting. Instead of hitting balls with a pool cue, you kick footballs into pockets on an inflatable pool table.

Check out Poolball Singapore.

Paddle up some fun

Some call it playing table tennis on the floor; others call it mini tennis. Whatever the definition, there’s no denying Pickleball has taken the world by storm. This hybrid sport is easier on the joints than tennis and doesn’t require as much running, making it great for people of all fitness levels. The paddles needed are also affordable — a set of two paddles and four balls can be purchased for less than $20.

Check out this list for locations of pickleball courts in Singapore.

Disc dash delight

Ultimate Frisbee has been steadily growing in popularity over the past couple of years, and it’s no surprise why. It requires just one frisbee to play — perfect for large groups — and makes for a great cardio workout because of all the running involved. Score points by bringing the frisbee into the opponent’s end zone. It’s a strictly non-contact sport, and you can’t run while holding the disc.

You can play at any open spac, or you can find a location here.

Ready to get the endorphins flowing? Rally your office buddies and sign up for the Public Service Sports and Family Day this July! Besides a host of sporting activities like pickleball, tchoukball and kayaking to choose from, the event will also feature game booths, a family treasure hunt and a lucky draw. Register for the event here.

Alternatively, stay fit and healthy and bond with your colleagues at these group workout classes, or rack it up a notch and challenge your counterparts from other agencies at the Public Service STAR Games.