Looking for a strenuous workout but don't have a lot of time?

Consider squash or racquetball. Both games offer challenging workouts that test your fitness and keep you on your toes. Plus, they are ideal sports during those too-hot or too-cold months when you want to exercise indoors.

Squash and racquetball: What's the difference?
Squash and racquetball may look like the same game, but they're not. They're both played on indoor courts with a racquet and ball, but:

• Squash courts are shorter and wider.
• Racquetballs are larger and have more bounce.
• The racquets for each are shaped differently.
• Squash has more out-of-bound zones.
• Racquetball allows you to hit the ball off the ceiling; squash doesn't.
• Squash is more commonly played in Europe. Racquetball is more popular in the U.S.

What both sports have in common, though, is that they can keep you fit and healthy. Both require short bursts of intense play that condition your cardiovascular system and help build endurance. Other benefits include:

• Enhanced balance and coordination
• Greater flexibility
• Improved quickness and agility
• Upper and lower body toning

Both are strategy games as well. Winning requires more than simply being faster or stronger. It requires figuring out an opponent's weaknesses and trying to exploit them. So along with that physical workout, you're also getting a mental one.

Getting started
It's easy to get started playing squash or racquetball. But it's hard if you want to get good at it. If you are able to hit a tennis ball successfully, you can start playing. To play competitively, though, takes a great deal of stamina and strategy.

If you can afford it, you might want to take a few lessons from a qualified instructor first. This will help you develop your skills more quickly.

You may want to join a squash or racquetball club or find a place that rents courts by the hour. The club may require a small rental fee every time you use the court. This usually runs about $10 to $15 an hour, but it varies.

But before you head to the courts, check with your doctor. You want to make sure you're healthy enough for the rigorous workout you'll get.

What you'll need
It's important to have the right equipment. You don't want to show up in running shoes or take the wrong racquet onto a court. If you aren't sure what you're doing, go to a reputable sporting goods store and ask for help.

You usually can't step onto a court unless you have:

• Proper goggles
• Non-scuffing racquetball shoes
• The right kind of racquet and balls

And while mouth guards aren't usually required, they still make a wise investment. Also consider buying racquetball gloves to prevent blistering.

Safety concerns
Any game offering this much excitement comes with some safety concerns. Common mishaps include eye and mouth injuries. But these can often be avoided with goggles and a mouth guard. You should also stay a safe distance from the other player to avoid collisions. And never get between the ball and your opponent.

Playing competitively
After you've learned all the ropes, you might want to hit the tournaments. Your squash or racquetball club may offer competitions that let you pit your skills against other players.

You can also find events online. If you play squash, check out the tournament schedule at the U.S. Squash site (www.ussquash.com). To find racquetball events, go to the state-by-state listings on the USA Racquetball page (www.usaracquetballevents.com).