Ah! the slight rustling of the steering wheel that hits the ropes of the racket, the furious parts between cousins, feet in the water ... I was 10 years old, a fluorescent jersey and knees knocked. Today, I have a black jersey sheath and knees a bit more coated. But no way to hide under the umbrella listening to the seagulls. I want to move, enjoy, have fun on the sand. And if I can muscle at the same time, it's perfect (ah! Give me a double vanilla-chocolate cone without feeling guilty). Exactly, my nephews install a badminton net. I explain to them that it is the it-sport of the summer. They sneer while looking at my sarong: "So, you come play, auntie? They will see, insolent!

Badminton: goat jumps and steel mind

I team up with my daughter, and I feel her hopeful look (unless it's ironic) when I'm doing some stretching, just to save time. This time, it's gone, the steering wheel shines in my direction. Miracle, I send it illico to the other side of the net.

No time to self-congratulate that he is already back, and I realize that I will have to move constantly, run from right to left, back and forth and stay hyper attentive. I understand better why badminton, the fastest racket sport in the world, is an Olympic discipline. It is, it seems, possible to do a dozen exchanges in less than ten seconds, with steering wheel speeds that exceed 230 km / h. Very clearly, I am not there. I am simply trying to return the flying object identified to the extent of my means, especially to avoid crippling my daughter in passing. In order not to knock each other out, we have established a communication code: "I have it! Sober, but effective. Our raging party becomes the attraction of the beach.

Even the Lifeguard Swimmer gives us a look (what should I be resuscitating?). But no question of being distracted. Good for fitness, badminton also activates neurons: it requires tactics, coordination, we must aim blind spots, feint, smasher. To anticipate the opponent's reaction, it is better to be reactive and precise in your actions. Not to mention that the wind is also to be taken into account: the steering wheel is very light and its trajectory easily deflected. My nephews may be great fellows, they have only strength for them. While my daughter and I are the finesse and intelligence incarnated ... I think to replace me quickly to save my breath (capital), I feel more and more comfortable, and the encouragement fuse.

Badminton: calories burned and curvy silhouette

The game is over. We did not win, but almost. We had a lot of fun. For a demonstration of grace, I will iron ... but what have I laughed! After drinking half a liter of water, I run to bathe. I feel that it pulls, that my muscles have worked. And for good reason, badminton is an ultra-complete sport: it combines travel (more than one kilometer of race in one hour), accelerations and changes of direction non-stop (perfect for the blow, the heart rate, endurance) with movements and throws that tone the whole body (thighs, calves, back, shoulders, arms ...).

In one hour, we run four times more than on a tennis court, with 500 calories burned on the clock. Not bad ! Revenge tomorrow, same time, same place? And how ! Finally, if I'm not crippled with aches ...

Badminton: to start ...

How? No need to train for hours, you quickly pick up the technique. But if you want to go further or practice the year, you can take classes.
Information from the French Badminton Federation: www.ffbad.org.
The equipment: there are kits (two rackets, two wheels, a net) in all sports shops (about 15 €).
The offbeat idea: do a party at night with a phosphorescent steering wheel (Speedlights, about 6 at Go Sport, www.go-sport.com ). And for those who want to play with style, Adidas has just launched a line dedicated to this discipline (rackets, sneakers, skirts ... www.facebook.com/ adidasbadminton ).