Pick up a padel and find out why pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the US and is set to make waves over here
WORDS | Stacey Carter
If you love tennis, badminton or ping pong, then chances are you’ll like pickleball. The sport has become hugely popular all around the globe, but particularly in the US, where it’s become ‘America’s fastest growing sport’, according to The New York Times. It’s particularly popular with people in midlife. In fact, half of all serious pickleball players (those who play eight or more times a year) are 55 and older, according to the USA Pickleball Association. The sport has a huge range of physical and mental benefits, so to find out why it’s worth getting started, we spoke to the sporting experts.
OFF THE BAT
“Pickleball is both an indoor and outdoor racket and padel sport, combining elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton,” says James Brady, a PT at OriGym (origympersonaltrainercourses.co.uk). “It involves two to four players hitting a plastic ball over a net using padels. Labelled as one of the fastest-growing sports in America, pickleball is relatively new to the UK. However, there are an estimated 4,000 players in the country, and this number is continuing to grow.” Just like other padel sports, such as badminton and ping-pong, pickleball is a full-body workout that engages your whole body, as James explains. “As this is played using quick movements with your padel, it can tone the muscles and improve your balance,” says James. “And let’s not forget, the exercise of moderate intensity such as pickleball can lower blood pressure, and improve blood sugar regulation and cholesterol levels. It can also burn calories to help you maintain a healthy weight.” Playing pickleball can also be a great way to improve your heart health, as similar to other racket sports, pickleball can boost the cardiovascular system, helping to prevent many problems associated with old age such as strokes, heart attacks, and hypertension. “It also aids coordination and general mobility,” adds James.
BALL’S IN YOUR COURT
One of the factors behind pickleball’s growing popularity is that it’s a great low-impact alternative to other, more strenuous forms of exercise. “Pickleball is similar to tennis but is played on a smaller court with a lower net and a plastic ball with holes in it,” says PT, coach and co-founder of Team HH, Ryan Hodgson (teamhh.co). “However, unlike tennis for example, pickleball can be played both indoors and outdoors and is suitable for all ages and capabilities. In fact, one of the great things about
