Try it out: women’s football –

Football is far from being a boy’s sport — and Queen Marta is there to show it — but, because the men’s team receives much more sponsorship and space on TV, girls often end up with no incentive to practice the sport.

But “you can’t stifle a talent because of society’s hypocrisy”, as he commented Beatriz Zaneratto, striker of the Brazilian National Teamto Good Shape.

Of course, I’m a long way from Beatriz’s level of talent — light years away — but I also didn’t want to be put off by this different treatment and decided to try a women’s soccer class to tell you about!

BENEFITS OF SOCCER

First — and to inspire more women to play — let’s talk about the advantages of this sport?

1. Helps to lose weight

Well, it’s no surprise that all that running leads to weight loss. The whole body needs to work together and this leads to an average expenditure of 250 calories every 30 minutes.

In addition, football accelerates the metabolism, which makes the burn last for many hours after the game.

2. Increases muscle mass

Several groups of muscles are recruited, especially the lower muscles and the abdomen, which causes an increase in lean mass, making the muscles firmer and, in the case of the legs and butt, considerably larger.

3. Less high blood pressure

It is an excellent method to help control blood pressure, improving the functioning of the heart, circulation and blood flow.

In this way, it prevents diseases caused by high blood pressure, such as stroke or heart attack.

4. Strong bones

The intense stimulus decreases the loss of calcium from the bones, strengthening them and preventing osteoporosis.

5. Prevents Alzheimer’s

Practice requires faster and more strategic thinking, developing concentration, attention and reasoning and decreasing the chances of developing brain diseases and dementia.

EXPERIMENTAL GOOD FORM: WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

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I went to train with the girls from Ball Ownersa group aimed exclusively at women who want to train soccer.

At first, it’s pretty intimidating to see all those women playing so well, but as soon as I arrived I was made very welcome. They had women of all ages and levels and the more experienced ones were super encouraging to the least.

HEATING

Training begins with a warm-up, which includes passing the ball, kicking and running. And if you thought it was simple to just tap the ball to pass your partner, think again. There is a whole technique and way of positioning the foot to direct the ball where you want it and with the intensity you want it. But the teacher is there to guide you through all of that.

It’s 20 minutes that seems a lot longer when you consider the body work and much less when you consider the fun. In the end, you feel that you have worked your body without realizing how much time has passed.

GAME

Then it’s time for the game. The division of teams is done in a practical way, to make the two sides well leveled, the teacher divides the beginners and the experienced ones equally – you don’t have to worry about that embarrassing situation of being the last chosen one.

I stayed in defense position, since I didn’t feel safe to attack. I missed a few balls, it’s true, but I also caught a few – and all the girls cheered and congratulated a lot when that happened, to encourage. Even in the ones I lost, I was applauded, because “it was worth the try”.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

In general, what I can say is that the feeling of sisterhood, of support for others, is what prevails most, leaving a great feeling of welcome. And of course, physical exercise counts — a lot.

As much as you don’t feel that effort at the moment, due to the adrenaline, the next day comes that reminder of your legs – in the form of post-workout muscle soreness. A sign that the effort worked the muscle fibers well and in the place that I am most interested in developing: legs and butt!

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