Which sport gets you the most in shape?

Understanding “in shape”: It’s not just six-pack abs

Before diving into the “which sport wins” debate, let’s clear one thing up: being in shape doesn’t mean just being lean or muscular. It means a mix of:

• Cardiovascular endurance

• Muscular strength

• Flexibility

• Speed and agility

• Mental toughness (yes, that counts too)

So when we say "in shape", we’re talking about overall athleticism — not just fitting into a tight shirt.

Top sports that transform your entire body

Swimming: Full-body sculptor

Ah yes, swimming. The low-impact, high-result sport that hits everything.

• Works your arms, back, legs, and core

• Boosts lung capacity like crazy

• Burns tons of calories (500–700 per hour, depending on stroke and intensity)

It’s easy on the joints and builds long, lean muscles. If you're recovering from an injury or want a lifelong sport, this one’s gold.

Boxing: The unexpected fitness king

No, it’s not just about throwing punches. Boxing training is brutal (in a good way):

• Skipping rope, mitt work, heavy bag, HIIT rounds

• Strengthens shoulders, arms, legs, and — above all — your core

• Torches fat while improving balance and reflexes

Honestly, do a 12-round session and tell me it’s not one of the hardest things ever. Oh, and stress relief? Through the roof.

Rowing: The underdog beast

Rowing is sneaky. People see it as “just arms” — but nope. It’s legs first, then core, then upper body. And it’s all about endurance and rhythm.

• Builds serious cardiovascular stamina

• Great for posture and back strength

• Burns ~600+ calories per hour

If you want to feel your whole body working in sync, rowing is weirdly satisfying.

Sports that combine intensity with fun

CrossFit (if that counts as a “sport”)

Okay, it’s controversial — but hear me out.

CrossFit blends Olympic lifting, sprinting, calisthenics, and gymnastic elements.
It's fast, competitive, and absolutely torches fat and builds muscle. The community aspect is a bonus, but yeah... injuries can happen if you're careless or ego-driven. (Been there.)

Soccer: The endurance king

Soccer players? Mad fit. Like, run-11k-a-game fit. And not just slow jogging — sprints, stops, cuts, jumps.

• Builds lower body power and stamina

• Great for coordination, agility, and cardio

• Social, dynamic, and addictive

And if you’ve ever tried to play a full 90-minute match? You already know it's no joke.

What about strength-based sports?

Gymnastics

Don’t laugh — gymnasts are monsters of strength and mobility.

• Core strength is next level

• Flexibility + explosive power = insane control

• Requires crazy balance, focus, and dedication

Seriously, doing a basic ring routine or handstand push-up takes more control than most weightlifting exercises.

Wrestling / Jiu-Jitsu

Want to be functionally strong? Try grappling with someone your size for 5 minutes. You'll beg for a break.

These sports develop:

• Core and grip strength

• Cardiovascular and anaerobic endurance

• Mental grit (you’re literally fighting for survival sometimes)

No mirrors, no fluff — just raw, body-on-body conditioning.

Conclusion: So… which one wins?

Here’s the kicker — there’s no one-size-fits-all sport. It depends on what “in shape” means for you.

• Want full-body tone, endurance, and zero impact? → Swimming

• Crave strength, cardio, and intensity? → Boxing or CrossFit

• Prefer competition and stamina? → Soccer or rowing

• Want crazy mobility and strength? → Gymnastics or wrestling

The real answer? Pick the one you’ll stick with. The one that hurts a bit, but makes you grin like a maniac when you're done. That’s the one that’ll get you in the best shape — body and mind.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.