Indoor sports to try in Birmingham: Student-friendly guide
Fancying taking up a new active hobby this spring? Although the weather is starting to look a little brighter now, it’s always handy to have a back-up plan. Therefore, here’s our guide to some of the best indoor sports to try in Birmingham.
1. Badminton
Fast-paced, sociable and easy to learn. Badminton is a racquet and shuttlecock sport that allows for bags of old-school fun. It’s widely accessible in Birmingham at a range of venues from the University of Birmingham and Aston University, to the Hilltop Badminton Club, and Shard End Community Centre.
2. Padel
Relatively unknown in the UK until the last couple of years, padel is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world with padel courts (indoor and outdoor) popping up all over the place. A hybrid of tennis and squash, it’s a sociable game and hugely addictive! Usually only played in pairs, it’s one for those who like their games fast and furious! Padel spots in Birmingham include Core Padel, Te Amo Padel, Connect Padel and The Padel Inn. Apps like Playtomic and Padel Mates make booking courts and finding playing partners easy too.
3. Table tennis
Take a break from revision with an hour of ping-pong fun. Quick matches, cheap equipment hire and easy scoring makes table tennis a great hobby to pick up as a student and can be played as casually (Roxy Ball Room, Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre or University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness) or as competitively (Birmingham Tennis Academy, Colebriedge Table Tennis Club) as you want.
4. Squash
If you’re looking to improve cardio fitness and your reflex speed, then squash might be the one for you. Players use a racquet to hit (or smash!) a small ball against the walls in a compact, indoor court - making protective eyewear an essential! The University of Birmingham has six indoor squash courts with affordable rates, and you can also try at Fox Hollies Leisure Centre, The Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre, as well as a range of dedicated squash clubs in the area.
5. Basketball
When team sports are your thing, basketball is a great shout. High energy, competitive and easy to join in, it’s a game that can be played in any weather thanks to indoor sports halls and community centres. A basketball team typically has 5 players on each side, but providing you have equal numbers, you can jump on court with fewer, or even shoot some hoops alone when no one else is around.
6. Climbing
Indoor climbing is a great sport to take up while you’re a student in Birmingham. It's an awesome way to build strength, you can do it alone, and it’s a great confidence-builder too. Most of the climbing centres offer intro sessions as well as group beginner courses - they usually lend you the shoes and chalk too. Try Birmingham Bouldering Centre or Rock up Birmingham for starters.
7. Martial Arts
Getting into martial arts can benefit you in so many different ways. Not only is it great for fitness, but also for discipline and as a self-defense tool too. From Jiu-Jitsu to Karate or Muay Thai - there are many different styles to try. Or, you could try an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) session, which incorporates elements of each. Get in touch with Gracie Barra Birmingham, Aura MMA or Temple Martial Arts to find out about their beginner classes for students.
8. Dodgeball
Watched the film and liked what you saw? Dodgeball is a cool social team sport that’s accessible for every level of fitness. Community and casual games are regularly organised through the university sports halls, and through the Birmingham Renegade Dodgeball Club Facebook Page too.
9. Futsal
When you’re a fan of football, but want to be indoors, Futsal is ideal. It’s a faster-paced game than regular football with smaller teams and a smaller playing area. And, it’s pretty easy to get involved at any level with a local team for regular play. Try Club Futsal UK Birmingham or Goal2Goal Futsal Academy for available sessions. Goals Birmingham Star City is also a great venue with indoor 5-a-side futsal-style pitches to hire if you and your mates already know what you’re doing.
10. Darts
Is it a sport? Isn't it? Despite this long standing argument, playing darts is most definitely a fun way to spend an afternoon with fellow enthusiasts. Loads of pubs in Birmingham have darts boards to throw a few arrows while you socialise without friends (The Wellington, The Trocadero and The Gosta Green to name just a handful). But, if you want to take things a little more seriously, you can try entering the Four Oaks & District Darts League or use the Big Fish Darts app to find local matches, leagues and connect with other darts enthusiasts.
Fitness where you live
We hope we’ve given you some inspiration to start something new this spring. Remember, as a resident at true student Birmingham, you’ve always got fitness at your fingertips here too. With a state-of-the-art gym, free exercise classes and a festival zone with table tennis, there’s no excuse not to get active this spring! Book your stay: true Birmingham