Pickleball: Your New Favorite Physical Activity!Updated a few seconds ago

Activity Spotlight: Pickleball

The Sport That’s Taking Over Courts and Burning Calories—One Swing at a Time

If you’ve walked by a community rec center or local park recently, you’ve probably heard the pop-pop-pop of paddles and laughter echoing across the court. That’s pickleball—a sport that’s swept the nation and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

It’s fun.
It’s fast-paced.
It’s social.
And—it’s surprisingly great for your health.

Let’s dive into what makes pickleball the perfect mix of play and performance.

🏓 How Pickleball Came to Be

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three dads looking to entertain their bored children. They created something new with leftover equipment from other sports—badminton paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and a net. What started as a backyard pastime quickly grew into a nationwide phenomenon.

Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., with leagues, tournaments, and clubs popping up nationwide. Its appeal? People of all ages and skill levels can play—and enjoy it.

🎯 Basic Rules at a Glance

• Played on a 20x44 ft. court (same as badminton doubles)
• Can be played singles or doubles
• Uses a solid paddle and a wiffle-style ball
• Serve must be underhand and cross-court
• The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys begin
• Games are usually played to 11 points, and the winner is the one who wins by 2 points.

The rules are easy to learn, making it beginner-friendly while providing enough strategy and movement for experienced players to get a serious sweat in.

💪 Why Pickleball Is a Great Fitness Choice

1. Cardiovascular Conditioning

Short sprints, quick lateral movements, and constant footwork elevate your heart rate—perfect for fat burning and endurance building.

2. Muscle Engagement

You’ll use your legs, core, shoulders, and arms with every serve, volley, and sprint across the court. It tones without feeling like a workout.

3. Improved Agility and Reflexes

The smaller court size and fast-paced volleys sharpen reaction time and balance, especially beneficial for maintaining coordination as we age.

4. Social and Mental Health Benefits

Pickleball is just as much about fun and community as it is about fitness. You’ll laugh, make new friends, and get those feel-good endorphins flowing.

5. Low-Impact, High-Benefit

Unlike running or intense HIIT sessions, pickleball is gentler on joints, making it ideal for people looking for longevity in their fitness routine.

🔥 Calories Burned Playing Pickleball

Depending on intensity and gameplay, a 150-pound person can burn 300–500 calories per hour. That’s comparable to a moderate jog—but way more fun for most people.

🎾 Fit & Fun!

Grab a paddle, find a local court (there are thousands across the U.S.), and get in on the game that’s changing how we think about staying active.

Whether you’re looking to shed some pounds, improve cardiovascular health, or just find a reason to move your body more often, pickleball proves that fitness can be fun, social, and addictive in the best way.

Coming up next: Another activity spotlight that’ll get you sweating and smiling. Stay tuned!