🏃 Sport & fitness

Table tennis

Fast, sociable and playable straight away: a table, two bats, and you are in the game. Table tennis is the least complicated way to break a light sweat and end up laughing.

Playable at once, sociable at once

A table, two bats, a ball – that is all it takes, and you are already in the middle of a game. Table tennis is the least complicated way to break a light sweat and end up laughing. The low barrier makes it ideal for spontaneous rounds: almost everyone played as a child, and the basics come back within minutes.

Harder work than it looks

Anyone who thinks table tennis is a gentle affair is mistaken: played well, it demands lightning reactions, footwork and concentration. That is exactly the appeal – you can start gently and improve endlessly. The fast rallies also make for a surprisingly good workout for reactions and coordination.

From the cellar to the club

Table tennis can be played almost anywhere – a cellar, a park, a village hall. Anyone who takes to it soon finds open playing evenings or clubs where there are opponents at every level. It is easy to make contacts there, because the game naturally involves constant swapping around and relaxed chat between rallies.

The table as a meeting point

Few sports are as accessible: public concrete tables stand in almost every park, free and without booking. For groups, round-the-table is the format of choice – it works from three people, becomes a party from six, and skill differences disappear in the scramble. Two bats and a few balls in your bag turn any park visit into spontaneous sport. In winter many groups move to club halls or open play evenings.

Tips for getting started

Hold the bat loosely – a tense grip costs you all your feel for the ball.
Work with your legs: good table tennis players are moving constantly.
Look for an open playing evening; you will find opponents at every level there.
Your own bat with a decent rubber soon makes a noticeable difference.

Frequently asked questions

Is table tennis hard work?

Played well, surprisingly so – it demands reactions, footwork and stamina. Played gently, though, it is open to every level of fitness.

Do I need my own bat?

Not to try it out; bats are often available on site. Anyone playing regularly will soon benefit from their own, with a better rubber.

How does round-the-table work?

Everyone circles the table hitting one ball each in turn. A mistake knocks you out, until two remain and play out the win. There is no simpler way to keep a mixed group playing.

Table tennis near you

Find people with the same plan right now – or invite others to a meet-up of your own.

See meet-ups Start your own meet-up