Fun & Fitness, Sport For All
Physical activity and keeping active and fit is no problem in Germany. Getting involved in team sports, group activities, and competition is a wonderful ice-breaker and a great way to integrate yourself in your new home and surroundings. Amazing, too, how quickly your German will also improve while playing and having a good time with neighbors, friends, and new acquaintances who share your leisure interests.
The only difference compared to many other places in the English-speaking world is the degree of organization and levels of regimentation that typify German leisure activities and sports. It certainly is not like the US or Canada, Australia or New Zealand because Germany (even those free-wheeling Bavarians) thrives on its historic bent towards organized activities. It's endemic to their nature, just as most New World folks cringe at regimentation. In view of the fact that Germany is so very compact and so highly-populated, it may even be a good thing.
Membership Basics
Amateurism in the finest sense of the word also implies being a member of a Verein or Club so that you can indulge in kayaking and canoeing, playing tennis, golf, gymnastics, or team sports like soccer, basketball, German "Handball," ice and field hockey, or even American football and baseball. These have caught on nicely in bigger towns.
Basically, one pays an annual fee and a one time initiation fee after being proposed by a member, and then seconded, and the next thing you know., you are a member. Many clubs and associations have intensive social schedules, regular and extraordinary meeting days and club events which also demand attention and active participation by the membership - and sometimes even family members!
Obviously this is not the case when you sign up for a fitness studio, gym, dance instruction, acting or singing lessons, or the like. "Fit im Verein" -- group activities are hailed nation-wide.
Given all the requirements active membership demands means that the plethora of games, sports, activities and associations many Expats enjoy back home is curtailed for sheer lack of time, energy and money. One or two favorites is all that any one can indulge in. It is simply not enough to attend practices and games or training sessions and an occasional group meeting, especially in smaller communities.
