Racquetball
- Thread starter EllieK
- Start date
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
I played a lot back in the 1980s during the height of its popularity. Picked it up at school, Cal Poly SLO, where they had a few college classes and free access to the courts (when the classes weren't using them). Could even get access at 2am if you needed to let off some steam.
Played a fair amt from the late 80s to the mid 90s at 24 Hour Nautilus (now 24 Hour Fitness). Some of the clubs I frequented had 4 or more courts that I could reserve for a mere $1 per hour.
The popularity of Racquetball waned in the 90s and I lost my regular hitting partner. Most 24 Hour Fitness clubs have gotten rid of their courts. A few around here have only one or two courts left.
Played a fair amt from the late 80s to the mid 90s at 24 Hour Nautilus (now 24 Hour Fitness). Some of the clubs I frequented had 4 or more courts that I could reserve for a mere $1 per hour.
The popularity of Racquetball waned in the 90s and I lost my regular hitting partner. Most 24 Hour Fitness clubs have gotten rid of their courts. A few around here have only one or two courts left.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
When I first picked up racquetball, I decided to use my non-dominant arm, my right arm. I was already playing a lot of tennis & badminton left-handed & I didn't want the shorter racket to mess up playing those sports. Eventually, as I started playing at an intermediate level, I switched to using my left arm for racquetball (so I could play at a high int level).
I was getting an excellent workout playing racquetball when I first took it up. Eventually, I got better at playing balls off the back wall and positioning myself better so that I did not have to run around quite as much. At some point I decided that I could get a much better workout playing badminton rather than racquetball.
Note that there is a similar British sport named Racketball (note the spelling). It is based on the American sport of Racquetball. There are some differences between the two sports but I don't know what they are. In the past 3-4 years, Racketball has been rebranded as Squash 57. The 57 refers to the size of the ball used -- 57 mm as opposed to 40 mm for standard Squash. (Squash 57 uses as shorter racket than Squash).
I was getting an excellent workout playing racquetball when I first took it up. Eventually, I got better at playing balls off the back wall and positioning myself better so that I did not have to run around quite as much. At some point I decided that I could get a much better workout playing badminton rather than racquetball.
Note that there is a similar British sport named Racketball (note the spelling). It is based on the American sport of Racquetball. There are some differences between the two sports but I don't know what they are. In the past 3-4 years, Racketball has been rebranded as Squash 57. The 57 refers to the size of the ball used -- 57 mm as opposed to 40 mm for standard Squash. (Squash 57 uses as shorter racket than Squash).
Racketball officially becomes Squash 57 in global rebranding
Squash 57 becomes Squash 57 in global rebrand - read full story
www.englandsquash.com
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SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Sorry, can't give you much advice on Racquetball equipment since it's been some 25 years since I last played. It seems that TW does not carry equipment for this sport so you will have to look elsewhere. A few online competitors might still have some racquetball equipment. Your local sporting goods store, in larger metro areas, might sell equipment. Or you might find something here:
Largest Racquetball Equipment Dealer | Racquetworld
Shop the best prices and largest selection on racquetball equipment and racquetball racquets. Orders placed by 2pm ET ship same day M-F.
store.racquetworld.com
tennishabit
Legend
thanks god mil.x for 'gym membership includes the racquetball court' personally to me >20 yrs ago, lolololololol man. can't imagine how disastrous if i had headed to some tennis courts/'coaches' w/ learning tennis in mind. i pkup tennis w/o knowing actually learned the most important fundamentals ie footwork/spacing/relax/etcetc as i only used a tennis racket/ball to worm up n sweat bit before doing the weights. very simple, just wanted to save the time n avoided queuing up to worm up on 1 of the 2 treadmills of dat small gym. back then only $10/yr for the rugby club membership n a free bottle of wine on birthday so basically it's free membership. lolololololol the 000s poor idiots playing poker machines there must foot the bills
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Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
TW not affiliated w/Racquetballwarehouse?
r2473
G.O.A.T.
When I was in college, our club team played against Southwest Missouri State, the only university in the nation that gave racquetball scholarships. They would send their “C” squad and annihilate everyone.
Their “A” squad were all playing on the pro circuit. They sent a few of those guys to a tournament every now and then. It’s amazing what they can do with a racquetball. The sound when they hit was like a shotgun. They all wore earplugs when they played.
Their “A” squad were all playing on the pro circuit. They sent a few of those guys to a tournament every now and then. It’s amazing what they can do with a racquetball. The sound when they hit was like a shotgun. They all wore earplugs when they played.
mmk
Hall of Fame
Of course they are, they are linked at the bottom of the TW website
