| Paintball is slowly gaining ground and raising interest | | | | serious about your paintball game, then it's high |
| in a lot of people today. Back in the 1980s a | | | | time to do some exercises that are a combination |
| couple of friends wanted to simulate the African | | | | of cardio workout and strength training. Do a |
| safari experience of one of their friends and | | | | combination of these for at least 3 times a week |
| invented a raw version of paintball, where they | | | | but don't overdo it and exercise everyday. Let |
| hunt their opponents rather than animals in the | | | | you body rest in between workouts. Cardio |
| forest. About 10 million Americans are playing | | | | workouts can be as simple as jogging or riding a |
| paintball, most of which are male with ages | | | | bike. Strength training improves your speed and |
| ranging from 18 to 40. It can totally encompass | | | | endurance to last the whole game without getting |
| any age bracket. Players are usually divided in | | | | too tired. Diet is also important; choose fruits and |
| teams and in its most basic form, in order to win, | | | | vegetables instead of fatty and sugary food. As a |
| you need to shoot or take down all the players | | | | newbie, you need to know the safety precautions |
| of the imposing team. A lot of variations already | | | | of the game. It is considered as one of the safest |
| came out and since it's a sport with no rigid | | | | sports around but keep in mind we must exercise |
| structure, you and your friends can add your own | | | | caution in whatever we do. Always wear proper |
| twist to the game. The basic equipment of | | | | protective gear while playing paintball. Blind firing is |
| paintball are masks, paintball gun and paintball. | | | | discouraged because you might hit someone or |
| Paintball masks are customized for the game and | | | | something in close range that can lead to injuries. |
| it usually comes with earflaps and would cover | | | | The basics of the game are simple. There are |
| the whole of the face. The actual paintball is a | | | | variations available but the simplest is to take out |
| soft gel capsule with paint inside which would | | | | every member of the opposing team by hitting |
| break easily upon contact. Paintball equipment | | | | them with a paintball. Another popular variation is |
| usually costs somewhere around $100 but if | | | | getting the flag of the opposing team; whoever |
| you're just starting then I would recommend that | | | | gets the flag faster is the winner. Lastly, there is |
| you rent the equipment first from the paintball | | | | a variation called 'king of the hill' in which the |
| field where you will be playing. This will cost less | | | | teams try to capture the base of the opposing |
| with $10 to $80 per day. As you get your feel | | | | team. Whoever holds the base 'hostage' the |
| around the game and advance to advanced levels, | | | | longest wins the game. Remember, the most |
| then you can invest on high tech equipment which | | | | important thing in playing paintball is having FUN! |
| would improve your speed, hitting accuracy and | | | | This article was written by Benedict Yossarian. |
| agility in playing the game. If you want to be | | | | |