Is Pickleball Good Exercise? Benefits for Body & Mind

Pickleball has taken the world by storm. From its humble beginnings of three dads inventing it to entertain their bored kids, to being so popular that you can’t go anywhere without bumping into a court.​

With all the hype about pickleball, you have to wonder if it is truly all that it is cracked up to be. No doubt people are having fun, but is it really good for the body? And mind?

The Paseo Club of Santa Clarita is a full-service social and fitness club with exercise classes, a Pilates studio, pool, and tennis and pickleball courts. The club is staffed by several pro pickleball instructors, and we can help answer your important questions about the sport.

In this article, you will learn more about the benefits of pickleball for your body and your mind.​

Does Pickleball Benefit My Body? Is it Good Exercise?

Any movement is better than no movement. Simply put, pickleball is good for your body.

However, let’s take a more in-depth look at pickleball as a form of exercise.​

Pickleball is a form of cardiovascular exercise. One study of singles and doubles players in their 60s revealed that over 70% were in a moderate to vigorous heart rate zone. This not only helps people build strength and endurance, it also improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, reduces the chance of stroke, and boosts insulin resistance, protecting people from type two diabetes.

Pickleball is an interval workout. Interval training refers to any exercise that alternates bursts of exercise with rest. This form of exercise has also been shown to boost heart health, burn calories, and increase stamina and strength.

Pickleball helps to build and strengthen bones. Bone loss starts at the age of 35. The pivots, swings, and quick sprints required in pickleball put healthy stress on your bones, spurring the growth of new cells.

Pickleball improves agility and coordination. Players use hand-eye-foot coordination to travel the court and return volleys. Much of the game requires quick thinking and quick action. This engages balance and fast reflexes, requiring the body to work in unison.

Can you Burn Calories Playing Pickleball?

YES!

The amount of calories each person burns while playing pickleball varies, depending on their weight and how intensely they play. On average, a 125-pound person burns 390 calories per hour, a 150-pound person burns 494 calories, and a 200-pound person burns 620.

Often, matches last one hour, so this is a good unit of measurement. If you play a more casual game of pickleball, your caloric loss will be less. If you play fast and intensely, you can burn even more.​

Does Pickleball Benefit Mental Health?

Wellness does not mean your physical health exclusively. Being well or healthy also includes your mental health — your mood, self-confidence, and sense of calm.​

It is now known that all exercise benefits the mind. However, pickleball offers some “special ingredients” that really boost mental health.

Pickleball is social. Most group or team sports have a social element, but pickleball players are famous for how friendly they are. Pickleball players are master networkers, connecting players with one another, organizing events, and hanging out courtside, cheering each other on.

Pickleball is inclusive. One of the major reasons pickleball has become so popular is that it is quick to learn, and almost anyone can play. If you are young and want a fast and furious game, you can do that. If you are sixty-five and just learning, and need to go slow, that’s ok too. There is even adaptive pickleball for players with different abilities. Inclusive spaces help people feel a sense of belonging, manage stress, and create resilience.

Pickleball can help you feel a sense of accomplishment. Since pickleball is easier to learn than most other sports, it can help you feel a sense of accomplishment in a rather short amount of time. The more you practice, the better you get, giving you even more positive feedback. This process releases dopamine in the body and boosts self-confidence.

Pickleball improves a player's mental well-being. In a review of thirteen papers, 90.74 % showed “significant improvements… in personal wellbeing, life satisfaction, depression, stress, and happiness.”

Is Pickleball Good for All Ages? Seniors too?

Pickleball is a sport that almost everyone could — and should - play. Kids are learning pickleball in PE class, seniors are learning it at the club, and people of all ages are forming leagues and tournaments across the globe.

Unlike most sports, pickleball is not just for young people. Seniors, even those with little to no experience with fitness, are learning the game. It is easy to pick up and gentle on the joints since it is a low-impact sport. Many seniors are finding pickleball a “gateway” to greater fitness and increased physical activity. Something that most other fitness trends have not captured and is desperately needed.

However, pickleball is not only exercise — it is fun and good for your mental health. This is why scientists were not shocked to learn that pickleball actually increases people’s lifespans.

Getting started with Pickleball at The Paseo Club

If you are in the Santa Clarita Valley, come to The Paseo Club to play pickleball! Whether you are a beginner or a pro, or somewhere in between, you will find everything you need.

The club has the most comprehensive pickleball department in the SCV, with eleven courts with lights, drop-in and reserved play, drills, private lessons, leagues, and tournaments.​

Come to The Paseo Club and be our guest for a day. You can meet with pro instructors, check out the courts, and explore the club amenities, such as the cafe and clubhouse, executive locker rooms, and spa.​

Become a member today and enjoy all eight acres of the grounds — fitness and Pilates classes, tennis, swimming, social events, and more! There is even a Kids Club for our youngest members. The Paseo Club is your home away from home. Join today!