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Played in over 40 countries throughout the world by millions of gaming enthusiasts, paintball has been recognized as one of the most exciting outdoor sports in existence today. People from all walks of life, the majority being men, come together to experience the thrill of firing a marker at your enemy and seeing that pellet splatter against his uniform. While it may sound exciting and fun, it is not an easy game to master. If you are thinking of getting into the sport and do not know how then here are some useful tips you need to know before hitting the battle field:

1. Gear up. Paintguns also called “markers” come in different styles and shapes. Most of these are powered by N2, compressed air or CO2. In warmer weather regions, players are encouraged to use CO2. On the other hand, you can use a siphon tank to make your gun work better in cold weather. If you are just starting out don’t invest in expensive equipment. Low-priced markers start at $125.00. Make sure to cover your legs, ankles, neck and

Some cricket fans would argue that the cricket bat is the most important piece of cricket equipment there is. Without it, runs could not be scored, and the intricate battle between bowler and batter would be non-existent. Because of its major influence on the sport over the years, we thought it proper to take a look at how the cricket bat has evolved.

Modern day cricket fans will likely recall the first mention of a cricket bat in 1624, which back then more resembled a hockey stick. The story details the unlucky fate of a fielder who was fatally struck in the head as a result of a batsman’s attempt to prevent him from catching a ball he’d obviously popped into the air.

Sadly, in the nearly four hundred years since that first fatality, other incidents involving bats have contributed to a healthy share of injuries, and in December 2007, at least one other fatality.

These were primitive times for the sport, when bowlers threw underhand and there were no standards and regulations to define what materials could be used and what the size and dimensions of a cricket bat should be. Today, those dimensions are strictly regulated, with a bat’s blade having

If there’s a classic exercise machine, it’s probably the exercise bicycle.  The exercise bike is easy to use and works year around to help you control your weight and stay fit.  Here’s the trick though, you have to actually ride your bike for it to help you.  The Schwinn 231 Recumbent Exercise Bike can help you do just that.  It’s popular, but it’s not perfect.  Here are some pros and cons.

Pros of the 231

Most comfortable riding position.
Famous for the great seat.
Fights boredom with lots of workouts.
Stable ride so no rocking and shaking.
Schwinn reputation for quality.
Free shipping if you buy at the right place.
A lot of bike for the money.

Cons you need to know

It’s fairly heavy to make it stable, so not so easy to move.
Fan makes some noise.
It’s not as heavy as a gym model.
Not as many workouts as some more expensive bikes.
Like all recumbents, it takes quite a bit of room.

A commercial exercise bike is made to take the toughest pounding and still live a long time.  Also the gym bikes are heavy, so they won’t move and rock under the hardest use.  The 231 is a home model

This list is a general guideline of paintball rules – always read and follow any rules that may be specific to the paintball field where you play at. If you are playing on private property, be sure that the field you choose is safe. Go over the rules with all players before starting a game.

If you are playing at a field, go over and sign your waivers before every game. Don’t play on pay-to-play fields that don’t have a safety waiver as this is a sign that they are not insured and don’t know what they are doing!

Wear your mask at all times on the field and preferably within the staging area as well – misfires happen. NEVER remove your mask during a game.

Ensure that the mask you are using is approved for use in paintball. Do not use a mask that has any lens cracks. Do not use household cleaning products to glean your mask – these will weaken the material potentially leading to cracks and breaks if your are hit in the mask.

Always use barrel plugs or bags at all times when you are not in the playing area during a match. Misfires happen! Having your barrel plugged

What is Paintball?
Paintball is a sport that has been around since the first game was played in 1981. Originally played with regular paint, paintball has advanced to the use of easy to clean water-based paint capsules. The paint capsules are fired from different types of air guns and rifles at other players. While there are different types of paintball games, common game types are king of the hill, capture the flag, and last man standing. When you are hit by a paintball, you are knocked out of the current round.

Is Paintball A Safe Sport?
Paintball does require a certain amount of safety equipment to keep players protected. A properly fitting mask is essential to protect your eyes and face. Unlike football and rugby, paintball is not a contact sport and the rate of injury is actually very low. The National Injury Information Clearinghouse estimated the annual rate of paintball injuries to be less than 0.2 injuries per 1,000 – one of the lowest rates of any sport. Most injuries that occur during paintball happen because someone is not wearing their mask. Eye injuries are serious, and most regulated paintball areas will eject players who remove protective eye equipment. In