Ways to Compete as an Adult

kllazaro

I’m 24 years old. I played soccer from the age of 3-18 and ran track as a sprinter from 14-21. Since graduating college I have ran 3 half marathons but my body needs a break from all the running. I am currently lifting 5 days a week but am struggling with the fact that I am not training for any type of competition. I have been competing and training for something since the age of 3. I feel like my life is missing something without it. Any suggestions for fitness/athletic competitions to look into would be appreciated.

Willbenchforcupcakes

If you’re enjoying lifting, competing in that is the obvious choice. Either powerlifting or weightlifting depending on the exact type of lifting you like.

It’s fun, it’s addicting, and no matter what level you wind up competing at, you truly only compete against yourself.

bennettinfinity

Aside from running, I have friends here that compete in powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and martial arts... I'm sure there are a ton of other options.

Cherimoose

Also obstacle course races, and strongman competitions.

Since strength training helps with all sports, why not just pick any sport you enjoy.. volleyball, indoor climbing, surfing, whatever. Lifting doesn't have to be all you do.

concordancia

Crossfit

PowerliftingMom

I became a competitive powerlifter at the age of 57

SonyaCele

another vote for powerlifting

kllazaro

Thank you everyone for your responses. Although I love lifting for training, I unfortunately have too many joint/back problems to go much heavier than I’m going
4RMx130 Bench
2RMx260 Deadlift
2RMx265 Back Squat
So I am not quite at a competitive level for that sport.

CrossFit would be a DREAM. I used to train but my work schedule doesn’t allow me to get to regular classes unfortunately.

scorpio516

If running is out all together, there goes a couple of my options.

Bike racing. Lots of options: crits, time trials, and track races. Tour type races are much harder to find for amateurs, all long distance events are either casual (centuries) or part of an Iron distance bike race (112 mile time trial)

Depending on where you live: ski racing. I've got nordic races and biathlons within a 3 hour drive.

Semi-athletic: shooting sports. Aside from summer & winter biathlons, some are a little athletic. Some aren't at all.

__TMac__

Indoor rowing? Really fun and intense.

JeromeBarry1

In your area there are many available competitive sports in which amateurs may participate. Myfitnesspal is not likely the best tool to find them.

Machka9

Cycling
Triathlons

sijomial

If you want to compete then play to your strengths which with your background and injuries I would have thought would be cardio based but a cardio event that doesn't "beat up your body".

Cycling is my thing (currently) would seem to fit the bill and there's load of varieties from on road to off road, from speed to endurance etc. etc.

Are there any sports you have either tried or want to try? I'm very self competitive so progress is satisfying but sport does give that different focus of beating your opponent. At your age you should still be trying everything as you may not have found that one thing that really inspires you.

amtyrell

You could join an adult soccer league

Chieflrg

Follow your interests.

I've competed at american football nationally into my 30s.

Competed at running into my 40s.

At baseball and now powerlifting(with a progressive joint disease and pain 24/7)almost age 50.

There is plenty of opportunities and levels to compete at. I know people that compete at knitting.

chrisbarthold

I started martial arts at the age of 37. In my art (Tang Soo Do), competition is more about getting out there than sweeping the leg. I have a blast. Obstacle courses are also really fun! In both, competition is friendly, not cutthroat. People are there to help you be the best you can be.

1houndgal

Swimming, league sports (soccer indoor/outdoor, softball slowpitch/fastpitch, volleyball, pickleball)

MelanieCN77

Look for local adult team sports and get on in there and try them all. You'll still want to lift but it'll break up the view for sure. I gym every day but I also play roller derby!

Djproulx

Lots of great suggestions already, whether team sports or individual. Reading your post, it seems like you have strong running ability, but want both a break from heavy run training and a new competitive challenge. That describes a number of triathletes I know, since the strategy, venues and workouts are varied when you're training for a multisport event. Two other thoughts regarding triathlon. First, you can get as competitive or stay as casual as you like. Second, the multisport crowd is typically very welcoming and supportive to new entrants.

Whatever you do, remember to have fun!

ccjlgrider

You could join a master’s swim team and compete in master’s meets as well as some USA swim meets depending on whether the upper age division is 15&up or “open”—those you could. 15-18 you obviously can’t. I see people well into their 40’s at some of my kids’ swim meets sometimes. Those meets would be easier to find than master’s meets in my area. If you are in California or Arizona or Florida, finding master’s meets may be easier. Easy on your joints and would be cardio intensive like running. www.usms.org is the US Master’s Swimming site. Good luck!

kam26001

Join an Ultimate Frisbee league! It's not too intense (physically), but it's fun and competitive. It's a nice supplemental activity to add to your schedule.

lulukittie

Not sure if this is available in your area, but you might enjoy rowing crew.

AnnPT77

I've done both indoor and on-water rowing competitively starting at age 46. Depends somewhat on where you live, but there are lots more rowing competitions around (for all ages high school to 90s) than most non-rowers realize, including some virtual racing for rowing machines in addition to real life events.

Canoeing and kayaking are also done competitively, in various forms for carious distances, and there are masters track and field events. There's tennis, ping-pong, pool, golf, and if you want to consider things outside the fitness world, there's chess, poker and bridge, among others (brain exercise is important, too ).

lorrpb

American ninja warrior! Gyms, neighborhoods, churches have various types of leagues.

Vladimirnapkin

I highly recommend adult cross country racing. The events are fun, inexpensive, and you compete in age divisions. Distance is usually around 5k. You can race as an individual, but they are also team events.

peaceout_aly

kllazaro wrote: »

I’m 24 years old. I played soccer from the age of 3-18 and ran track as a sprinter from 14-21. Since graduating college I have ran 3 half marathons but my body needs a break from all the running. I am currently lifting 5 days a week but am struggling with the fact that I am not training for any type of competition. I have been competing and training for something since the age of 3. I feel like my life is missing something without it. Any suggestions for fitness/athletic competitions to look into would be appreciated.

I am the same way. I feel like I train more efficiently and with more motivation when I have something to train for. Look into powerlifting. That's my competition of choice because there are few ways to get around the rules that they set. Bodybuilding is another option, however that takes a lot of nutritional dedication, along with financial funds to back the competition fees, trainer fees and assorted things like spray tan and special competition wear.

UmmSqueaky

I do triathlons. I started because I wanted to push myself physically but didn't feel like I had what it takes talent-wise to be "good" in any one sport. So instead, why not be mediocre in three sports and crazy enough to put them all together at once? The tri community is pretty friendly with a wide variety of talent and a variety of distances. If you're not competing to win your age group, you can still compete against yourself to finish a longer distance or improve shorter ones. Plenty of opportunity to cross train and keep things interesting - I swim/bike/run and am also looking to work regular lifting back into my routine.

natruallycurious

kllazaro wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your responses. Although I love lifting for training, I unfortunately have too many joint/back problems to go much heavier than I’m going
4RMx130 Bench
2RMx260 Deadlift
2RMx265 Back Squat
So I am not quite at a competitive level for that sport.

CrossFit would be a DREAM. I used to train but my work schedule doesn’t allow me to get to regular classes unfortunately.

Have you looked into different CrossFit gyms for different class availability? My gym offers classes all throughout the day, earliest being 5am and latest being 7:30pm, so there is a wide variety. You still might not be able to make those times, I just know that a lot of gyms don't start as early or go as late. Just a suggestion! Good luck!

HoneyBadger302

Depends on what you enjoy/feel like you can do.

Things like the Spartan races are huge with a lot of people I know. Lots of other types of competitions out there, trick is just finding them or realizing what's even available. Baseball, football, frisbee, bicycle, mountain biking...

Personally my competition is racing motorcycles. That's my big fitness "motivator" right now, but definitely not for everyone

cwolfman13

Cycling.

I've been doing 1/2 century rides and time trials for the last few years or so. It's a lot of fun and I enjoy it immensely. Unfortunately I've had to take a bit of a step back this year and won't be doing any 1/2s and only 1/4s due to just not having the time for the training volume.

Eventually I'd like to do a full century, but the time dedication for that is way beyond what I can do right now.

RC4655

If you like lifting, Powerlifting is a great sport. I have been competing for over 10 years in the sport and have traveled all over the United States and Europe to compete. Its a serious sport with lots of great competitors. Always room for one more.