Pickleball was only developed in 1965, but it has since become the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. But why has pickleball become so popular?
In this guide, we will discuss the top reasons why people love this game. We’ll also show you why it’s expected to grow in popularity even more in the upcoming years.
Why Is Pickleball So Popular?
Pickleball is basically a combination of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. These sports are well-loved in their own right, so it’s no surprise that people enjoy playing pickleball as well.
Here are the top reasons why pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports today, and why so many enjoy playing this game.
Pickleball Is Suitable for All Ages
A lot of popular sports can only be played professionally by a younger demographic. In fact, the average retirement age for basketball and soccer players is around 35-years-old because these sports are fast-paced and physically demanding.
But that is not the case with pickleball at all. Pickleball can be played by people of all ages. There are three official age categories for this sport:
- The junior category for children under the age of 18.
- The adult age category includes adults aged 19 – 49.
- The senior age category is for people over the age of 50.
Everyone from children to seniors can have fun enjoying pickleball. This makes it an ideal sport for families and friends to enjoy at their own leisure.
Pickleball Is Ideal for All Skill Levels
This is a game that people of all skill levels can enjoy. You can play pickleball even if you’re a novice looking to learn a new sport, or a seasoned player looking for more competitive play.
The rules for pickleball are pretty simple and are actually very similar to the rules for ping pong or table tennis. You don’t even have to stick to the rules too strictly if you’re only playing casually. There are pickleball variations suitable for any skill level and court type.
Pickleball Is a Social Activity
Pickleball is usually played by two or four players. The matches are quite short, so a large group of people can definitely take turns playing within the same afternoon.
You also don’t need too much space to play pickleball, as the court is much smaller than that of tennis and badminton. In fact, parks, recreation centers, and even fields can serve as pickleball courts.
All of these characteristics make it a social activity that can be enjoyed during family gatherings or group outings.
Pickleball Is a Healthy Activity
Playing pickleball is a great way to exercise since it offers many health benefits. This fun activity can improve your hand-eye coordination, balance, and reflexes. Plus, all the running or sprinting involved to hit the ball is a good cardiovascular workout.
Overall, it’s a fun way to get you moving so you can burn calories, keep your muscles flexible, and stay active.
Playing Pickleball Can Assist With Weight Loss or Weight Management
Some sports like tennis can be too aggressive and intense for casual gameplay. Pickleball is a much easier option to play since it doesn’t leave you feeling too exhausted. It’s a perfect recreational activity for everyday playing.
Estimates say that you burn roughly 500 to 700 calories when you play pickleball for one hour. Playing regularly will allow you to lose weight, or at the very least prevent you from gaining more. And because it’s so fun to play, you’ll look forward to your workouts instead of dreading them. Losing weight will no longer be a chore.
Different Courts Can Be Used for Playing the Game of Pickleball
The USA Pickleball Association aims to create as many pickleball courts as it can by repurposing tennis courts and other recreational departments. Since it was inspired by a lot of games, pickleball can be played on other courts like badminton and tennis, with only minor adjustments done to the court size and height of the net.
Don’t feel like leaving the house to play? Play in your backyard! Since pickleball courts are smaller than other racquet sports, it is easier to set up and create a playing area in the confines of your home.
Strictly speaking, it’s better to play on a paved surface since grass won’t allow the ball to bounce very well. But if a grass court is all you have to play on, you can always play a modified version of the game called no-bounce pickleball.
Pickleball Is an Affordable Sport
Anyone who has not yet played pickleball can start right away even without any of the high end paddles or special pickleball equipment. All you need is a paddle to play with, and a pickleball or whiffle ball. You can temporarily use table tennis paddles and ping pong balls if you have them.
There Are Lots of Players
You can easily find a partner to play pickleball with. In 2020, about 4.2 million pickleball players actively played the game. And even if you find yourself around just a few players, this great sport is easy to learn. It’s very easy to create your own group of pickleball enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
So, why is pickleball so popular? There are many reasons to love America’s fastest-growing sport, and we’re certain that the popularity of pickleball is only going to keep growing as more people learn of and become acquainted with the game.
For more information on why pickleball is so popular, and how it came to be, feel free to check out our other guides on The Volley. You’ll easily find all there is to know about pickleball like its basic rules, best gear for playing, and what pickleball has to offer to casual and professional players.
