What sports are good for Aspies?

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I think walking on your toes helps to improve balance. I like belly dancing, and yoga as this seems to help me get into that other state where I am outside myself and just acting out my emotions physically.

I can't get into group sports so much unless it's a board game but that is not really a sport. I like the mentalism in physical activities more than the pure physical aspect of sporting behavior. You can meditate and walk, jog, exercise...If you can't grasp the group dynamic, team sports are a drag. I liked pitching softball, but I never got into the whole scheme of the team.

I try to avoid any sports that are team sports, because it isn't fair for teammates to need to rely on my coordination (or lack thereof). I prefer to fail only to myself.

I bicycle fairly long distances, and I really enjoy looking at the scenery, feeling the wind, and the lack of talking. For fitness I run, do aerobics classes (but sometimes fall...stay away from step aerobics classes!), lift weights, do pilates and yoga, and spin (indoor cycling). I enjoy all of them immensely. I also really like to go hiking.

The only somewhat competitive sport that I play is disc golf. Some people call it frisbee golf.
Here's a link to the big professional organization:
http://www.pdga.com/
Here's a link to a store that does a good job of posting local course info (this is for Indiana):
http://www.discgolfstore.com/courses/indiana.shtml
I like being outdoors, I like the strategy, and I like getting to "play" with others...but I'm a good enough sport that when I lose it's fine, and I just enjoyed the experience. The equipment is cheap, and the courses are usually free. There are also tons of instructional videos on youtube, so you can rehearse the movements and learn new techniques.

Field Hockey, for me. Although I no longer do PE (and dreaded every moment of doing so), what I did like more than anything was Field Hockey. It was the only think I was actually decent at.

I used to know how to skateboard and I even knew how to ollie 9 stairs back in the days, 180 4 stairs, kickflip 3 stairs, I was about to become good, but then I started becoming a little lazier now I guess and I need to start to get in shape again if I am going to be able to try those things again, I think I am too old to do that kind of stuff I guess or I just need to get fit again.

I think independent sports are suitable for Aspies. Despite coordination issues...actually I think playing sports regularly helps. Playing sports also makes you more accepted socially. Good sports for aspies would be golf, swimming, weight lifting, and running track. Team sports may not be a good choice, but it's always worth trying. I've also known a lot of aspies to like karate. Maybe boxing is another aspie friendly choice...if you don't mind getting hit . I wouldn't recommend football (American) as it's an air head sport, and soccer (American) would be disastrous for the uncoordinated. I enjoyed basketball when I was younger but I didn't do well on a team. I also tried skate boarding, golf, and running. Skate boarding is a social sport but otherwise independent. It might work for some who don't have a sense of fear, And high pain tolerance helps, I wouldn't recommend it to aspies sensitive to pain. Where you live also determines what sports you could play.

I don't know if this has been mentioned. But it's been the perfect sport for me.

Rowing. I'm currently in a rowing program. And I enjoy it very much. Little fine motor skills are needed, and, though you still work in a team, they aren't dependent on you to perform perfectly. You don't have to dread being passed the ball, and the rumble of your name that will go up the field when you miss. All you need is endurance. It might not work for all, but its working for me.

I've played a lot of sports. But I couldn't do any of them. I'd always miss, I wouldn't be fast enough, I'd pass to the wrong team. Nothing worked until this.

"that's not real wraastling!"

RUNNING - you get to think alone, be alone, track progress, set targets, make charts

Martial arts are great. They usually involve being sensitive to subtlety and the type of touch is ok because it's different and is in certain parameters. And a good martial arts teacher will be patient and understanding. They know everyone senses and develops at their own pace.

I've always wanted to do a martial art, but figured that the social aspect of it would make it difficult for me. I also struggle to follow an instructor's actions. But I might just have a go. Is 30 too old to start?

Physical activities I like are weight lifting, cycling, and yoga. I sort of self taught myself yoga from books and you tube vids. It might be nice to take a class.

I boxed with my brother for a while, but I didn't take very well to being punched in the face.

I used to enjoy tennis and badminton but I struggle to find people to do those things with.

I think it's a good idea for us to avoid the 'team' sports

Hi Moog

30 isn't too old to start a martial art. I started Wing Chun in my 20s and know others who started later and who are really good now - like they could open their own schools if they wanted. Now, if you don't like the potential for getting punched in the face (which is more likely for females because we tend to be shorter than males and less skilled fellows have yet to learn how to control their punches and canbe too intimidated to aim for the chest which is where you aim in Wing Chun) you may want to consider a softer form like tai chi (way less punching). Also, in some schools there's little talking during class, if you're concerned about social overstimulation. If you happen to have a Chinese community near you you could seek out a school that is predominantly Chinese which will likely have less overall talking among students. There is usually the practice of taking care of your sifu (teacher) and the school, however, which can sometimes be social. For example, in some schools the students will take their sifu out to dinner or something like that. And students typically clean the school. Usually, because there are so many people helping out it only takes a couple of minutes and can be considered part of one's practice in humility, giving, relaxation (all kung fu), etc.

Cheers Happymusic, I think I'll start looking for a class asap. I forgot that I had done a Tai Chi class, and I did like it, but I really struggled to copy the movements of the instructor. I guess I'll just have to get used to being a slower learner than everyone else, and swallow my vanity

Excellent! I hope it works out! And don't worry about taking it slow. They say that once you've done kung fu (and taiji is a type of kung fu), that it's always with you and always growing. I have found that to be true.