It is no secret that physical fitness impacts nearly every aspect of our lives. Even those of us who are bound to desks all day benefit from having a better base of physical health. Regular exercise can help improve focus, attention to detail, and elevate your mood, so no matter what you do for a living, it is worthwhile to get your sweat on regularly.
Whether you’re heading out on a hiking vacation or wanting to see your city on the back of your bike, your physical fitness can open the door to a wide variety of hobbies. Even poker, a game that is largely played while sitting for long periods of time, is easier to master if you get regular exercise. Though women have a long and storied history with the game, there is the image that poker is largely played by men either on the casino floor or in their garage with their buddies.
How does being physically fit help those looking to play competitive poker? Winning at poker relies on a variety of skills that take years to develop. Many of the most important tips on how to win at poker are around the game itself; how to bluff, limiting your range, and other similar elements. It is difficult to do any of that if you aren’t physically fit and focused. Here are some of the biggest benefits players who exercise regularly will gain.
Improved Posture
Poker is largely an activity played while sitting in one place for long periods of time, which can put a lot of strain on the body. Add in the fact that many poker tournaments take place over more than eight hours a day for multiple days, and it can cause back and leg problems. Regular exercise can strengthen these muscles, allowing you to sit more comfortably for longer periods of time. While your opponent is trying to sneak in a few quick stretches, you can focus on the action in front of you, giving you the advantage you need to succeed.
Mental Endurance
It takes a lot of focus to follow what happens at the poker table. Professionals are looking for signs their opponents are bluffing and trying to figure out the best betting strategy, all while also running calculations in their heads on how likely certain cards are to come up. With so much happening every single hand, it is taxing even for the most well-trained minds. Having a good base of physical fitness can help improve mental endurance, allowing players to push themselves for longer during long, multi-day tournaments.
A Healthy Immune System
Even before the pandemic, poker was the kind of game where germs spread around. With everyone sharing a pack of cards and sitting in a room together for hours at a time, it is a prime environment to spread colds. Exercise helps to boost the immune system, helping it to fight off infections and illness more easily and can even make the symptoms less severe. If you were concerned about getting ill because of a game of poker, spending a bit of time at the gym can help put those fears to rest.
Looking for other ways to improve your health if you spend a long period of time sitting down each day? Check out these fifteen exercises you can do in your office.
