Racketball / Squash - Anyone play?
Racketball / Squash - Anyone play?
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Discussion

interstellar

Original Poster:

4,348 posts

162 months

Monday 18th September 2023
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I played Squash as a youngster but havent for nearly 30 years and am approaching 50 now and want to take it up again, I am done with running and park run!!

I am going to join a local club which is still going but whats changed in that time period?

I have a decent level of fitness but am not sure if I should play squash or learn racketball or both?

Whats the trainer/shoe situation these days, will my Nikes or something similar cut it or do I need to get some squash shoes before I even go for my taster session?

Edited by interstellar on Monday 18th September 19:43

Lotobear

8,040 posts

144 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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I used to love playing squash but haven't done it for over 20 years now. I would not take it back up as the old bloke I now am even though I'm fit an healthy and a keen cyclist.

I think the advice is, certainly for someone coming back to it at your age, to see your GP first for an assessment.


McGee_22

7,524 posts

195 months

Tuesday 19th September 2023
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When I lived in Kyiv my wife found a gym that had a squash court and then taught me to play. 25 years later we’re still playing - we’ve only ever really played each other although a few years ago I played each week against another school Dad who was a decent amateur rugby player. He hit the ball so hard he would go through racquet strings in about six months and a ball in about two months.

interstellar

Original Poster:

4,348 posts

162 months

Wednesday 20th September 2023
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Lotobear said:
I used to love playing squash but haven't done it for over 20 years now. I would not take it back up as the old bloke I now am even though I'm fit an healthy and a keen cyclist.

I think the advice is, certainly for someone coming back to it at your age, to see your GP first for an assessment.
Thanks for your concern but I am pretty fit through park run and mountain biking every week so will be ok fitness wise.

interstellar

Original Poster:

4,348 posts

162 months

Wednesday 20th September 2023
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no one currently play racket ball or know about the shoes of today?

Fullook

869 posts

89 months

Wednesday 20th September 2023
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Just to clarify the questions you're asking a bunch of internet strangers:

1. which sport you should choose between squash and racketball?

2. whether your local club has any specific requirements for what shoes to wear on their courts.

The context you have provided is that your levels of fitness are sufficiently elevated that any would be internet advisers don't need to take that into consideration, and that your current sports shoes are Nikes.

Am I on track so far?

If you can confirm my understanding of the above points, I would be very happy to offer you some advice.


interstellar

Original Poster:

4,348 posts

162 months

Wednesday 20th September 2023
quotequote all
Fullook said:
Just to clarify the questions you're asking a bunch of internet strangers:

1. which sport you should choose between squash and racketball?

2. whether your local club has any specific requirements for what shoes to wear on their courts.

The context you have provided is that your levels of fitness are sufficiently elevated that any would be internet advisers don't need to take that into consideration, and that your current sports shoes are Nikes.

Am I on track so far?

If you can confirm my understanding of the above points, I would be very happy to offer you some advice.
Thanks for the sarcasm but yes you are correct in what I have written apart from the fact its not my local clubs rules on squash court shoes its all clubs. I was simply asking if the trainers of these days (others are available apart from Nikes) work or whether a specific "squash shoe" is still necessary.

As to whether Racketball or Squash, I was wanting to hear anyones views on which they prefer and why?

I didnt realise I had worded it and it made it complicated.

witko999

691 posts

224 months

Thursday 21st September 2023
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I play squash.

Get yourself a racket and some squash trainers from somewhere like sports direct. They're only £30 or so. Your regular trainers might be allowed but they should have non marking soles and make sure they fit properly, because the rapid darting movements of squash will leave you with horrendous blisters if they're a bit loose. Better to just get some proper ones.

I've never played racketball.

andyxxx

1,295 posts

243 months

Wednesday 5th February
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A bit of a thread resurrection!
I played squash from about the age twenty until about twenty five years ago when I started playing racketball. Now 64 and play to a high club level three to four times a week.

I am afraid in the UK squash is a bit of a dying sport, but at your age I would suggest R/B is the best option. The rallies tend to be longer with perhaps less extreme bursts of energy (so slightly less chance of injury as we age)
I would say squash is the more skilful of the two, but I still enjoy my R/B games and hope to for many years to come.

I have used Asics Gel-Rocket shoes for many years but my last pair are Yonex 65 which are dearer, slightly better quality with more cushioning for my knees. These are about due for replacing which is what brought me to this thread.

coolerking72

36 posts

21 months

Thursday 13th February
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I concur with Andy

If you are over 50 and not played squash for ages I'd go for racketball.

Borrow a racket in case you don't like it but I think you will enjoy it. it's a great game and you can improve quickly. Our club is now 60% rball and 40% squash i would say

as Andy also said, pick up some cheap squash shoes, ebay or vinted if you didn't want brand new.