As of 2024, it was estimated that there were roughly 19.8 million pickleball players in the USA. This sport has increased in popularity in recent years, with celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Drew Barrymore even picking up racquets to play. With so much chatter about this sport, it is no wonder that you might be thinking about getting into it yourself.
Before you make this decision, though, you might be wondering if pickleball is the correct sport for you. There are numerous factors to consider when you are questioning this, and this post outlines three of the key aspects that supports choosing pickleball as your new hobby.
Firstly, before looking at why you should play pickleball, you must understand what this sport is.
What is Pickleball?
Combining elements of badminton, table tennis, and tennis, pickleball is a fun sport that requires two or four players. It can be played indoors or outdoors, using hard paddles that are slightly bigger than those used in ping-pong and a light, plastic ball called a wiffle ball.
The aim of pickleball is to get the wiffle ball over the net and stop the other player from hitting back to your side of the net.
Most pickleball courts are 20 feet wide and 44 feet long’; this is regulation size. This is one difference between squash and pickleball, as squash is played on a walled court, but the equipment and gameplay also differs.
Three Reasons Why You Should Choose Pickleball
The three reasons below will allow you to understand why you should play pickleball.
Easy to Get Into
No matter your age, pickleball is believed to be an easy sport to begin playing. With simple rules to follow, smaller courts to play in, and slower-paced gameplay compared to other racquet sports, it is considered very straightforward to learn. This might be why it has become so popular recently.
As time goes by and you keep playing the game, you will find that your techniques become more refined. This sport is all about gradual progression, with players taking their skills to the next level again and again as time goes on.
Opportunity to Socialize
Pickleball is considered to be a social sport, allowing players to interact with each other in an easy manner. This sport has a familiar setup with either two or four players; this enables you to play as singles or doubles. You can gather your friends to play or interact with other people nearby, branching out to form new acquaintances.
Although this sport can become incredibly competitive, the social aspect of pickleball is a critical consideration. You might make friends while playing that go further than the court, connecting you with others who will enhance your life in many ways.
Improves Health
As with many other sports, there are a range of health benefits that go hand-in-hand with pickleball. It has been proven to impact cardiovascular health, coordination, stress reduction, and weight loss. This is due to the amount of movement that is required to play pickleball successfully. In fact, it is thought that a game could burn up to 600 calories per hour, which can keep your body healthy and make weight loss more effective.
These benefits are not exclusive to adults. All ages can play this game and take advantage of the health improvements, even children and teenagers.
To conclude, many people can benefit from playing pickleball. If you are unsure if this sport is the best choice for you, the three reasons listed in this post will help you make a decision.