The
popularity of
adult leagues proves that after-work sports have become just as vital as the after-school variety, while the success of
Meetup shows that like-minded strangers enjoy networking in the flesh. These two trends converge with the arrival of new location-based apps that connect
recreational athletes and ensure that they may never again have to mount an elliptical or treadmill, solo, to get in their cardio work.
Sportaneous: This
website and free iPhone app collects information about public recreation areas, providing real-time information about games
being organized in users’ vicinity. With competitive activities ranging from baseball and basketball to boot camp and yoga, it’s easy to find social sports gatherings that range in location, schedule, skill level, and players’ preferred competitive intensity. As the name suggests, anyone can use the app to spontaneously initiate a game, for which the app will help find available players. It could prove to be a fitting training tool among those looking for companions with whom to prepare for
a certain upcoming marathon.
NextGame: The aptly nicknamed
“Foursquare for Pickup Games” aims to create a sporting community by uniting people for a little friendly competition. A location-based social app that connects individuals and groups in order to organize pickup games, NextGame synchs with Facebook and Twitter so that users can find new play pals and connect with their existing social networks to check in for practice or to promote games. There’s also an option for making games public or private so that poker nights at your house can remain invite-only, while the search for a tennis partner can be open to your entire neighborhood.
