Pins, Power and Perfect Games: Bowling rolls fitness and fun into one

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story by MARIO BOUCHER

Nothing beats the satisfying crash of pins when you send a ball rolling straight down the lane.

It takes practice to strike all 10 pins, especially regularly. But that shouldn’t stop you from having fun at a local bowling alley.
Anyone can play, from children to seniors, thanks to the simplicity of the rules that allow people to enjoy themselves. Children can use bumpers, ramps and lighter balls, while older players can perfect their skills and reach for the elusive 300-game.

“Bowling is a fun, social activity that everyone can do, but you do not have to be good to have a good time,” says Melissa McDaniel,
general manager of Buffaloe Lanes in Cary. “With the modern technology in today’s software, it makes it that much more fun with
various games, as well as the standard 10-pin bowling.”

Bowling is an ideal pick for a weekly hangout or weekend night out with friends and family. You can share a few laughs, not only to
see who gets the highest score but also who ends up with the most gutter balls.

Or, in the case of Raleigh resident Nick Sullivan, it was a bowling alley where he met his future wife, Patty. “I was bowling with a team,
and she happened to be in the next lane. We started to talk, and we’ve been together ever since.”

A FULL BODY WORKOUT

You might not break a sweat, but bowling can burn 200 to 300 calories an hour. It’s a low-impact workout disguised as fun since you
have to use your arms and shoulders to pick up and throw the ball, and your legs and core to aim at the pins. The sport improves balance and coordination without putting too much stress on your joints.

Bowling also provides a psychological thrill when you beat your personal score, or even better, a friend’s. It also helps foster
communication and encourages teamwork.

“I was introduced to bowling when I was 11 because my father thought it would be a great way to meet other kids,” Sullivan says.
“I was never a pro bowler, more of a social bowler. Bowling can be a lifelong pursuit because you can keep improving, unlike other sports that become limited as you age.”

MASTER THE LANES

Want to turn spares into strikes? “The first step would be to get fit for your own bowling ball, which does wonders for getting the ball
down the lane,” McDaniel says.

Sullivan suggests starting in an upright bowling stance with your knees slightly bent and your shoulders relaxed. Keep your wrist strong, so the ball becomes a natural extension of your arm.

The key is to time your approach so that your opposite foot lands in front of the lane. Push your arm forward, drop it so the ball
arcs back, and let the ball continue arcing behind you and up towards shoulder height. Then, swing the ball down with your left foot
by the line and release it by flicking your wrist and fingers up toward your head, following through.

It takes a lot of practice to improve, but half the fun is seeing progress with each visit.

BOWLING HOTSPOTS

From glow-in-the-dark lanes to classic alleys, the Triangle offers plenty of places to be bowled over by fun:

Skills

Posted on

September 1, 2025