Want to know if Pickleball is good exercise?
Read on to get your heart racing and find out all the good benefits this fun game gives you.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sport today, and it is becoming as popular as badminton and tennis. If you like racquet and court games, pickleball is a great sport you’ll love.
Is playing pickleball worth the time and effort?
Here are some of the great benefits your body will get by playing this fun game that is suitable for everyone at any age.
Pickleball is good exercise for any age and level of fitness. Firstly, it’s a social game usually played at a community facility. That in itself has to be a good thing. Getting out and about with people of different ages and socializing is so good for your soul.
This game is also played on a smaller court unlike tennis. While many enjoy playing tennis until their mature years, Pickleball has the same benefits but on a smaller court. This reduces your running considerably. So you can still be active but without all the pounding that can go during a match in a tennis court.
Mind you, Pickleball can be played at a very fast pace and can be very strategic. You just need to find what is comfortable for you.
Here is a list of other health benefits you can get from pickleball as your exercise. Always consult your doctor before starting any new exercise. This article is my opinion and does not constitute medical advice.
Enables weight loss**
Much like tennis, even pickleball involves a moderate level of exercise and movement around the court, which reflects on active weight management. If you have been trying to lose weight and want to switch to an active lifestyle, this sport could be a game-changer.
Playing more pickleball is fun and can help shed some of those extra pounds from your entire body. A great way to have fun, be social and lose weight at the same time.
Boosts mental health**
Exercise releases endorphins and this is known to boost mental health. So, when you are playing around on the court trying to score a point, the release of endorphins will make you feel good.
Pickleball is a sport that can provide amazing benefits, such as less stress and better self-esteem.
Improves cardiovascular health**
The range of body motions and physical activity that is involved in pickleball ensures you will be active throughout your body. Much like tennis, this game involves a lot of moving around the court that facilitates improved heart health because it lowers blood pressure and keeps your heart muscles healthy.
The regular moderate exercise this game gives enables you to keep fit without having to do those boring exercise routines.
Ideal for osteoporosis**
Although many people would be shocked to hear this, playing pickleball is often a suggested remedy for patients struggling with osteoporosis. If you have been diagnosed with this condition and you are struggling with the constant rubbing and degradation of the bones, we’d recommend that you try out pickleball.
The constant moderate-level activity is quite beneficial in keeping your bones strong.
Always seek the advice of your physician first before playing.
Improves muscle flexibility
Another proven benefit of playing pickleball is that it improves flexibility of various muscle groups.
In this current time where most of us are sitting in front of our desks trying to earn money, our lives have become sedentary. The biggest impact of a sedentary lifestyle is on muscle flexibility.
Pickleball is a great workout as it involves a lot of movement around the pickleball court.
This has proven benefits in improving muscle flexibility in the long run. Inducing muscle and joint flexibility also reduces the risks of stiffness and arthritis in the future.
Benefits mature aged players**
You will often find older adults, especially above the age of 60, playing Pickleball. The main reason why it is such a popular one among the older generation is because of the benefits it reaps.
One of the most notable health benefits of this game is that it is social and helps with hand-eye coordination and balance, which can reduce the risk of falls.
Benefits for kids
Pickleball is an amazing sport for kids, offering a variety of physical and mental health benefits.
Kids who play pickleball get to enjoy the fun and energetic atmosphere of the game while honing skills like hand-eye coordination and agility.
Pickleball also helps children build strong muscles and improve their cardiovascular fitness.
As well as developing physical skills, pickleball encourages positive social interaction, helping kids build relationships with their peers and coaches.
Pickleball is a great way to get active and have fun at the same time! It’s an all-round activity that can help your child establish lifelong healthy habits.
Improves muscle strength
Not just muscle flexibility but playing pickleball has direct benefits in enhancing and improving overall muscle strength.
Regular exercise stimulates the muscle’s tenacity, making it more resilient and stronger. So, this is one of the fun games that help with muscle strength.
FAQs
Can I play pickleball with heart disease?**
Although pickleball involves moderate-level activity, we’d always recommend that you contact your doctor about playing. If your heart condition is okay to sustain this level of exercise, it is a good game to indulge in.
How much weight can I lose by playing pickleball?**
You can indeed lose weight to a certain extent with pickleball.
However, you need to realize that only relying on 30 minutes of a pickleball game every day won’t help you with drastic weight loss and transformation.
You need to actively invest your time and efforts and follow a healthy diet too.
How many calories can you burn by playing pickleball?**
This depends on how long you are playing the game and the intensity of each shot that you are serving. You can easily lose 250 calories with a 30 minutes game.
However, it will depend on the game’s intensity.
Conclusion
If you have tried other exercises, only to find them boring and monotonous, Pickleball is a game that you aren’t going to regret indulging in.
I have listed the reasons pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports today. Just ensure that you keep a check on the right techniques and always warm up before a game.
If you get on the pickleball court without a proper warm-up, you could get muscle pain and strain. Also, if you struggle with chronic diseases or haven’t played in a while, always consult with your doctor.
Pickleball is good exercise for all ages and levels of fitness.
**Please note, these articles and comments are general in nature and my own opinion and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor or physician before starting any exercise.
