The sport of paintball is becoming more and more popular every day. It is a great form of exercise that can be loads of fun. It involves endurance, tactical strategy, shooting accuracy, and many other skills but can be played by contestants of all skill levels. While it can become an expensive hobby, it does not cost much money to get started if you know what you need and where to get it. One word of advice would be to either rent or borrow some equipment and play before investing any significant amount of money.

First thing to know would be the equipment needed to start. The only things that are really needed are a gun or marker, as it is sometimes referred, a mask, and some paintballs. The mask is just for safety for obvious reasons and most fields will not let you play without one. Now of course you can battle it out in a non sanctioned area but it is still a great idea to wear a mask anytime you may be shot at. The gun however has some attachments that are needed for it to work. You need a hopper, which is the container that attaches to the gun and holds the paintballs. You also need CO2 or other form of pressurized air to propel the paintballs. I also recommend that you purchase a barrel cleaner and some lubricant if it does not come with the paintball gun. Most guns can be taken apart with allen keys so you may need a set if you don’t already have some and it can be a very good idea to get some extra O-rings. And like I already mentioned don’t forget the paintballs themselves. One very inexpensive way to get all of these is to purchase a paintball package. The one I recommend is by Tippman and comes with everything I mentioned above except the paintballs and can be purchased for under $150.

I like the Tippman as a starter gun because it is very durable, easy to operate, and is very versatile. The versatility and price of this gun are the main things that make it so attractive. There are numerous different types of kits that can be purchased to upgrade this weapon. You can turn it into an assault close quarters combat gun or even a sniper gun. This makes it easy and less expensive when you get good at playing and are ready to upgrade your weapon. In addition to the extra kits, apparel (like camouflage or a ghillie suit) a vest to hold to hold a pistol and extra ammo, barrels, and scopes, among other things can also be added.

Paintball can be enjoyed with very little investment but can reap so many rewards for you if you enjoy. From the friendships created, to the comradery of a being on a team, and even the health benefits, it is no wonder why paintball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country.