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What muscles does playing squash work?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 21, 2026

The major muscles used when playing squash include:

  • The muscles of the shoulder girdle; the pectorals, and the deltoids.
  • The muscles of the upper legs and hips; the gluteals, the hamstrings, and the quadriceps.
  • The muscles of the forearm and upper arm; the wrist flexors and extensors, the biceps, and the triceps.

Can playing squash build muscle?

It targets the major muscles

Squash is a full body workout. Obviously players' arms get a workout as they whip the ball around the court but this compound movement also strengthens wrists and back muscles. It also requires short sprints which need fast-twitch muscles to be firing at all times.

Is playing squash a good workout?

The game of Squash is a great upper and lower body workout, strengthening muscles and burning up to 800 calories per hour - perfect for older people who are looking to stay healthy.

What are the benefits of playing squash?

Health benefits of playing squash

  • Everybody and anybody can play squash. There are not any hard and fast squash rules. ...
  • Healthiest sport for cardiovascular health. ...
  • Strength and fitness. ...
  • Playable all year round. ...
  • Good for mental health. ...
  • Improves self-confidence. ...
  • Boosts hand and eye coordination. ...
  • Helps cultivate social skills.

Is squash a high intensity sport?

Squash is a moderate to high intensity sport which demands specific fitness. Squash at any level places a high demand on the aerobic system for energy delivery during play and recovery. In addition, the sport requires bursts of intense, anaerobic physical activity involving the lactic anaerobic energy system.

24 related questions found

Are squash players the fittest athletes?

But, according to Forbes magazine, squash — the game — is the healthiest sport an individual can undertake — better than rowing, rock climbing, swimming, cross country skiing or basketball, all runners-up in the scheme of fitness.

Is squash more intense than tennis?

While both the games bring a high level of difficulty and excitement to players, Tennis edges out squash as the harder sport to learn.

Can you play squash everyday?

If you practice three times a week, you should train with a partner, and your time will vary depending on which of these is your solo session. If the flexibility to play at any time is not sufficient, playing squash as an individual can take it to another level, as you have to manage the entire squash court alone.

Is playing squash good for weight loss?

Squash burns calories

Squash is the game that lets you run throughout the game, with no time you will have to hit the ball and you keep on running in that matter. With this running activity, you will burn a lot of calories so effortlessly, so this is the main reason that squash is perfect for weight loss.

Which sport burns the most calories squash?

Research from supplement brand Forza has found that boxing burns 800 calories an hour, more than any other sport, with squash (748 calories an hour) second and rowing outdoors (740 calories an hour) third.

Is squash good for abs?

How does eating the produce squash stress? According to German researchers, the nutrient can lower levels of cortisol during stressful situations, helping those abs take center stage.

Is squash the fastest sport?

Badminton is the fastest racket sport in the world - the shuttlecock can travel at 200mph when smashed - so it requires lightning-fast decision-making and tactical skill. Squash also requires an agile mind, with ball speeds in excess of 150mph.

Why squash is the healthiest sport?

Squash came out on top in Forbes Magazine's list of the Top 10 Healthiest Sports based on its scoring in cardio endurance, strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, calories burned in 30 minutes, and injury risk.

Do squash players live longer?

Racket sports, swimming, aerobics and cycling seem to be the best for prolonging life, the research concluded. Meanwhile, those who partake in swimming, aerobics and racket sports such as squash, badminton and tennis, also have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases such as strokes.

How many calories do you burn playing squash?

Squash: approximately 816 calories burned per hour

Playing squash has become one of my favorite things to do. It's fast moving and intense.

Which athlete lives the longest?

The answer: tennis. People who regularly play tennis have the longest life expectancy compared with people who do other activities, such as jogging, swimming, or bicycling.

What sport is the hardest?

Boxing. The Sweet Science. That's the sport that demands the most from the athletes who compete in it. It's harder than football, harder than baseball, harder than basketball, harder than hockey or soccer or cycling or skiing or fishing or billiards or any other of the 60 sports we rated.

What is the hardest racquet sport?

The ball doesn't bounce as readily as in racquetball, so you must move quickly to keep it in play. This is why squash is the most physically demanding of the racquet sports.

Does Roger Federer play squash?

Maybe in the second or third lesson, as I get to know the kid – and the parent, of course – I bring up the fact that Roger Federer grew up playing squash with his father. (His mother was from South Africa. Anywhere the British went, they brought squash, I add.)

Is Badminton more tiring than squash?

Both games are VERY demanding... But they are demanding in different ways.. Badminton is definitively, quicker and require more speed and explosiveness (fast-twitch muscles, ie more demandning for leg-strength, jumping, skipping etc.. ) Squash is very demanding on a cardio-level.

What sport is most physically demanding?

According to several studies about “science of muscles and movement” experts label boxing as the most demanding sport for an athlete. Boxing requires strength, power, endurance, and the ability to withstand huge hits over a period of time.

What is the safest sport to play?

OVERALL FINAL SCORES. Analysis: Boys and girls tennis emerged as the safest sports, with very few overall injuries, concussions, time loss due to injuries, surgeries, and catastrophic injuries. Not surprisingly, several contact sports (football, boys and girls lacrosse, wrestling) scored near the bottom.

Is squash a professional sport?

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) organizes the pro tour. The sport is infrequently called "squash rackets", to distinguish itself from the related sport of rackets (also called "hard rackets").