No matter what our ability, sporting events on television seem to convince the inner child in us that it's time to head back out on to the course, range, field, arena or track. Besides, it looks so easy on TV.
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And Australia's success at some of the lesser-known sports at this year's Olympics seems to have spurred many on to try something new.
Rowing and judo are two such sports that seem to be having a resurgence after the Games.
Illawarra International Judo Club president Alan Broadhead says the number of participants in the sport in his club has risen at least 10 per cent this year.
And Shellharbour City Rowing Club captain Susan Smith is overwhelmed by the number of phone calls she has had from people wanting to learn to row.
"We've had at least 30 to 40 calls," Smith says. "The Olympics have really boosted the interest.
"One lady phoned up today, she's 55 and she said she's been thinking about learning for a while and when she saw it on the Olympics she thought to give it a go."
Inquiries have come from all age groups, and Smith says the club may have to increase its learning program, which is limited to 24, to cater for the demand.
"People see it on TV and think that they can do it, but it's very technical. It's a very healthy sport - it works all the parts of your body."
Judo is also a very challenging sport, but it seems many are willing to take it on.
"It's total fitness and it's quite a challenging sport to master," Broadhead says.
"It's skills development and emotional development."
People from six to 60 attend the club and Broadhead says interest in the sport was also boosted when the Australian Judo Championships were held in Wollongong in June.
However, other lesser-known sports, such as table tennis and badminton, are still struggling to draw members.
Illawarra District Table Tennis Association president John Ryan says most of its members are university students.
"We're a bit surprised that we can't get younger members," Ryan laments. "It's an ideal sport - it's a game that involves the mental as well as the physical."
Local badminton faces a similar situation, according to Illawarra Badminton Association secretary Eric Bradley. Badminton was at its prime in the 1960s, Bradley says, but he's not holding hope of a revival any time soon, and doesn't expect interest in the Olympics to boost membership.
