Although it’s said that the game of pickleball was invented in 1965, it’s only in the last few years that the sport has gained widespread adoption. In 2023, the Sports and Fitness Industry Association named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America for the third consecutive year, with a study by the Association of Pickleball Professionals estimating that 48.3 million adults have played pickleball at least once in the past 12 months.
The rise in players certainly alludes to the fun of the game, but it’s also the sport’s health advantages that many find appealing.
“There’s a reason pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country,” says Kris Miner, Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) certified pro who teaches at Life Time Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. “It’s not common for an activity to offer so many health benefits for so many participants, given the physical, mental, and social components, plus the all-ages and all-levels nature of the sport.”
If you’re considering giving this growing sport a try, these five potential health benefits may just convince you to grab a paddle and hit the court.
1. It can strengthen heart health.
Pickleball is an excellent cardiovascular workout, requiring players to move quickly to make shots. This results in an elevated heart rate, which can boost cardiovascular and lung function as well as burn calories.
Getting regular aerobic activity via a weekly or biweekly pickleball league, for example, is one way to support heart health in a social setting. Plus, because the playing area is smaller than a tennis court, it provides an approachable opportunity for players who may not have the athleticism to participate in a more demanding sport. It will rev your cardiovascular system from the first day of playing.
2. It can improve athletic skills.
This paddle sport requires hand-eye coordination, balance, and agility. You have to react quickly between seeing a hit of the ball and making your own and remain stable and agile while you stop, start, and change directions quickly throughout play.
3. It can sharpen mental focus.
Although pickleball is famously easy to learn, it requires focus to play well. You need to keep track of the score and court positioning during the game, while also staying mentally alert.
As you play more and become more confident in your skills, you’ll employ increasingly advanced strategies, which can strengthen your critical and tactical thinking skills.
4. It can relieve stress.
Exercise in general is widely praised for its stress-relief and mood-improvement benefits. In addition to the naturally occurring endorphin boost that comes from moving your body, pickleball requires being in the moment: Where should you serve? Where will the return likely come? How do you win the point? Being present allows your brain to take a break from other distractions or stressors.
The small court size also allows players at all levels to string together multiple consecutive hits, which can provide a sense of accomplishment.
5. It can build community.
For many players, it’s the social element of pickleball that keeps them coming back for more. Pickleball is a communal sport that can be played as singles or doubles. During the game, you communicate with your partner, opponents, and/or teammates.
Pickleball is known for being an opportunity to meet new friends and stay socially engaged, whether you’re playing a single game, participating in open play, mixers, or leagues, or engaging in other methods of play.
