Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco
I bet you have played cornhole at some point. If you haven’t, you have no idea what you’re missing out on. That’s because the game entails simple rules anyone can comprehend, but it can drain your energy to win just a few rounds.
Today, we’ll discuss some of the benefits and advantages that make cornhole one of the most popular social sports for people from all walks of life. Read on to learn more.
These are 17 benefits and advantages of playing cornhole:
1. Playing Cornhole Counts as an Exercise
Corhnole is a low-impact sport that uses several body parts. Players take turns throwing bean bags at the opposite board 27-feet (8.23 m), trying to make them go through the target hole. You’ll work your muscles by tossing and walking to the other side of the board, improving your physical fitness one step at a time.
When playing cornhole, you’ll mainly work out the following muscles:
- Arms
- Shoulders
- Back
- Legs
2. Cornhole Can Promote Cardiovascular Health
According to CDC research, participating in any physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
Aiming for at least 2 hours per week of playing cornhole can maintain your cholesterol levels and lower your blood pressure, promoting cardiovascular health. This makes cornhole a great physical activity for the elderly.
3. You Can Burn Some Calories Playing Cornhole
Tossing the bean bags across the board in cornhole demands some physical energy. You can burn a significant amount of calories in just one hour, which can help you maintain weight. Even though this game is not that demanding, it can help you stay healthy while having fun and enjoying it.
4. Playing Cornhole Boosts Cognitive Skills
By playing cornhole regularly, you can improve your cognitive abilities as you age. This includes thinking, memory retention, learning, and sound judgment.
The game is ideal for developing children as well as for the elderly—it requires little physical effort but involves a lot of thinking, boosting overall mental health.
5. Cornhole Supports Overall Balance and Hip Mobility
When playing cornhole, you must learn the proper technique for positioning yourself and throwing the bean bags. This can be the best practice for supporting overall balance and hip mobility. Every cornhole player must take a stride from one leg to another when tossing, bringing body balance and hip mobility into play.
6. Cornhole Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
Players need to accurately judge the distance of the cornhole board with their eyes to land the bean bags or pass them through the hole. Hand-eye coordination becomes increasingly important as you power your throws to ensure you hit your target.
Additionally, you’ll need quick reflexes to catch the bean bags when they are thrown back at you from the other end. All of these activities help with hand-eye coordination.
7. Cornhole Can Improve Your Confidence Levels
Cornhole is a social game that involves at least two or four players standing on each side as they toss bean bags across to the other side of the board.
Landing a bean bag on the board or through the hole can give you a sense of accomplishment, boosting your confidence levels in other aspects of life. The game also involves high fives, pats on the back, and handshakes with opponents, which can boost confidence regardless of whether you win or lose.
8. Cornhole Boosts Your Social Interaction Skills
Nowadays, most people are glued to their digital devices, making it difficult to connect with others. However, playing social sports like cornhole allows you to interact with many other players from all walks of life. In no time, you’ll meet new people and form friendships, boosting your social interaction skills.
9. It Helps Build Strong Bonds With Family or Friends
With its straightforward rules, cornhole is the perfect game to play while on vacation with friends and family. You can simply purchase a portable cornhole game set, which features classic designs and comes with everything you need. Alternatively, you can build one in your backyard, which can be a fun activity to do with your family.
10. Playing Cornhole Reduces Stress Levels
If you’re looking for a healthy distraction from stress or any other life issues, playing cornhole may be of great help.
As you throw the bean bags on the cornhole board or through the hole, you’ll distract your mind from whatever is troubling you and focus entirely on the game. You’ll also unwind mentally and lower your stress by socializing with others.
11. Playing Cornhole Can Help Improve Your Vision
When tossing the bean bags, accuracy and a sharp eye are required if you want to hit the target hole. Over time, playing cornhole can improve your vision, as you’ll be able to grasp movements by visualizing them first in your mind.
Cornhole connects the brain, the body, and the eyes, giving you the necessary exercise to improve your vision and overall health.
12. Playing Cornhole Teaches You To Value Teamwork
You must work with your partner and heed their advice to win a single round of cornhole. Communication and teamwork are part of the game, and youngsters can carry these skills into adulthood and their future occupations.
Players will learn to value teamwork as each one contributes to winning points.
13. You Can Learn Something New With Cornhole
Perhaps you’ve been participating in other physically demanding sports, like basketball or football, for years. It could be time to take up a new, less-demanding activity like cornhole, where you can compete with others while having more fun than ever.
You’ll win a new skill set by understanding the basic rules and teaming up with others, whether you’re playing cornhole for the first time or not.
14. You Can Acquire Problem-Solving Skills With Cornhole
Playing cornhole allows you to be around competitive people and other role models, and you can pick up problem-solving skills from them. Additionally, if you’re experienced, you can teach others how to play cornhole and share your knowledge. Over time, this will help you become a better leader and problem-solver.
15. Cornhole Is the Perfect Game To Beat Boredom
Cornhole is a fun game: you take long strides, aim, and throw the bean bags across to the board at the other side. The more you play, the more the game becomes exciting, releasing endorphins in your body and improving your mood. So, the next time you’re bored, I recommend asking your friends or family members to play a quick cornhole game.
16. Everybody Can Play Cornhole
The good thing about cornhole is that it’s a game for all ages. Everyone, from children to older people, can participate. Also, it includes simple rules that even a young child can understand quickly. You or your team must score at least 21 points or have the highest points above 21 to win the game.
17. You Can Earn Money Playing Cornhole Competitively
Not everyone might be aiming at playing cornhole seriously, but playing competitive cornhole may pay off handsomely besides being enjoyable. Professional cornhole players can make a living by competing in tournaments and events.
Here is a short YouTube video from the American Cornhole Association on how to master the cornhole board.
This article was co-authored by our team of in-house and freelance writers, and reviewed by our editors, who enjoy sharing their knowledge about their favorite games with others!
JC Franco
JC Franco serves as a New York-based editor for Gamesver. His interest for board games centers around chess, a pursuit he began in elementary school at the age of 9. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Mercyhurst University, JC brings a blend of business acumen and creative insight to his role. Beyond his editorial endeavors, he is a certified USPTA professional, imparting his knowledge in tennis to enthusiasts across the New York City Metropolitan area.