The Surprising Popularity of Pickleball for Seniors

If you’ve never played pickleball, chances are you’re getting a few things wrong about one of the most popular activities for seniors today. Do any of the following thoughts sound familiar?

I’ve never been good at sports, so I can’t play pickleball.

Pickleball isn’t a real workout.

I’m intimidated to join in on the fun.

I don’t know how to get started. 

If so, it’s time to look at the truth behind the fastest-growing sport in America — and the many ways this senior activity can add to your life. 

All Active Seniors Can Play Pickleball

Maybe you never played sports. Perhaps you tried tennis and gave up out of frustration. Maybe you’ve never run a mile in your whole life. But, if you can walk at a brisk pace and swing your arm, you can play pickleball.

That’s part of the reason Pickleball is so popular. People who never felt successful at other sports can, with a bit of practice, rally a pickleball. Much like a wiffle ball, a pickleball is so light that it quickly loses speed, making it relatively easy to connect the paddle to the ball.

What’s more, a pickleball court is only a quarter the size of a tennis court, so there’s not a whole lot of movement involved when playing doubles, which is what most social picklers play.

2. It’s a Fun Senior Activity That Can Help You Stay Fit

Pickleball is easy to pick up — and also an easy way to get a good workout in.

In just an hour of pickleball, a 160-pound person can burn between 500 and 700 calories, according to the Racquet Sports Center. That’s about double the calories burned in an hour of moderate walking.

In a game of pickleball, you’ll find yourself bending down, squatting, and reaching overhead — all of which work the muscles that propel us through daily life. You’ll also get your heart rate up, which is good for cardiovascular health.

A study in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology found that older adults who played one hour of pickleball three days per week for six weeks improved their blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall fitness level. The best part is, you’ll have so much fun playing pickleball that you may not even notice you got 4,000 steps in a session, the equivalent of about two miles.

Worried that you’re not up to all that? Most of us have something that’s bothering us, whether it’s a bad back, hip, or knee. Listen to your body and play within your limits. Unlike many other sports, you’ll still be able to hit the ball back and forth, work your muscles, and get your heart rate up. You don’t need to jump, sprint, or dive to have fun and compete playing pickleball.

Pickleball Is a Welcoming and Social Senior Activity

In addition to pickleball being an easy sport to pick up and a good workout, pickleball is widely known as being a friendly sport. 

“Anyone can pick up a paddle,” Hope Tolley of the USA Pickleball Association, remarked in an article for The Christian Science Monitor. “Plus, she adds, “it’s a welcoming culture that sets itself apart from other sports.” 

More experienced players are generally delighted to see newcomers show up. They’ll explain the rules, show you how to play, and make sure you’re joining in on the fun.

Pickleball is Everywhere!

You’ve likely noticed many of the tennis courts at your local parks and racquet clubs being converted into pickleball courts. In fact, there are now more than 50,000 courts in the United States.

Want to know where to play near you? Input your zip code into this search bar on Pickleheads.com, the official court and game finder of USA Pickleball. Often, equipment is provided, but you’ll find that, as players become more engaged in the game, they usually want their own gear. Check out this guide for choosing a paddle when the time is right for you. 

So what should you do before you show up? Take a look at the official rules, which you can read here. While they may seem confusing at first, you’ll pick them up quickly by just jumping in and playing, especially since other players will be happy to show you the ropes.  

Once you get started, you’ll see that the culture of pickleball is highly social. You’ll likely play a match, then perhaps wait 15 minutes before rotating in again. It’s during that time that bonds begin to form as you watch others play and have a nice chat with other people waiting to play. 

Activities for Seniors at The Atrium at Navesink Harbor

Wellness is a way of life at The Atrium at Navesink Harbor thanks to our award-winning LivWell program. In fact, we recently won the International Council on Active Aging’s NuStep Beacon Award, which recognized The Atrium at Navesink Harbor as one of the top 25 “Best in Wellness” senior living communities in North America. Use this quick form to schedule a visit and see firsthand what life on the water is like in Red Bank, New Jersey.