What do Lebron James, Tom Brady, and Leonardo DiCaprio all have in common? Sure – they’re elite at what they do with unparalleled longevity in their fields, but they also all love pickleball. It’s hard to say pickleball is sweeping the nation, because sometimes it feels like the sport’s growth is being propelled by a tidal wave rather than a household object. And frankly if you haven’t heard of it, it’s only a short matter of time before you do.
Earlier this month Yahoo estimated around 36.5 million American adults played the sport in 2022 – that’s up from 2.5 million in 2017, according to NPR. With such astronomic growth, it’s no wonder the rich and famous are getting in on the action – and not just as investors (just ask Leo).
The most beautiful thing about the pickleball revolution is how it brings people together. Unlike tennis, you can play against people with varying levels of athletic ability – which has made it one of the most fun exercise options for everyone headed into 2023. The child of tennis and ping pong, it’s a great way to get your body moving no matter how old you are!
It’s why former professional tennis player Mary Corillo likened pickleball to a “religious movement” on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel recently for a reason. It’s a game that brings people together regardless of age, athletic ability, class, gender, or any qualifying noun you can think of. Here are a few reasons why we here at Qranc feel pickleball is the best workout for all ages:
Unlike Tennis, Pickleball is Easier on Your Joints
While it’s always important to stretch and prepare for exercise with a good warmup, pickleball doesn’t take the same toll on your joints as its counterpart tennis. This is due to a lot of factors, like the size of the court, pace of the ball and general play, and pickleball is very often played as a doubles sport, not singles.
While it’s easier for folks who have played tennis to transition over, racket sport experience is not required to get up and going! Simply head over to Qranc to get all your pickleball needs, like the only pickleball subscription on the market!
Pickleball Keeps You Active Daily
It goes without saying but staying active is the biggest key to leading a healthy life – hence this blog! The CDC recommends staying active for at least 60 minutes per day, and pickleball is a great way to get this time in.
Pickleball games typically last around 15 minutes, meaning in just the course of a few games, you’re already nearly done with your daily dose of activities. For those on the older side of things, these shorter matches can help you be at your best throughout the course of an exercise session whereas a sport like tennis is much more demanding from a time commitment perspective.
For those in a rush, popping down to the courts for a few quick matches can really change your outlook on the day! It’s all about staying active and social within your community.
Good Cardio for the Injured
For people with overuse injuries, something that can pop up from running and other highly mechanic-focused, repetitive sports, pickleball can be a great alternative. While it might impact the crowd that skews older more, this can still greatly benefit anyone who is struggling from lingering injuries.
Pickleball isn’t always highly strenuous, though it can be as your skill level increases (see Qranc’s Top Tips for improving your game). Which means that if you’re rehabbing other ailments or restricted by what kind of exercise you can do moving forward, pickleball is a fantastic option to keep your cardio up!
Equipment is Affordable
Potentially the best part about pickleball is how low the barrier to entry has become. There are public courts nationwide, making the start up cost for pickleball is just a paddle, a pack of balls, and a good attitude. The pickler community is very welcoming, spreading our gospel to anyone who shows interest!
But when it comes to your equipment, Qranc has you covered on both of these fronts, with gear that will help you look good while getting the exercise you need to feel good. Balls do wear out over time, losing their bounce and control, so be sure to subscribe to Qranc’s pickleball subscription to ensure you’re always playing with the best USAPA approved gear.
Pickleball is Also Social
While you’re getting in a good workout, one of the biggest draws for so many Picklers worldwide has become the social aspect of the game. Communities have popped up everywhere with pickleball at the center, giving people friends across age barriers that they never anticipated.
Pickleball has been described as player friendly, meaning just about anyone can get out there and play! There are countless stories from around the country of how pickleball has helped them grow closer to people in their community. It’s actually one of the reasons Major League Pickleball founder, Steve Kuhn, first started playing the game in the first place.
So, while it’s a great way to get out and be active, it’s also a great way to exercise your social skills and maybe even gleam some wisdom from an elder. Comradery has long been cited as one of pickleballs top traits – with many, particularly older players, citing the social benefits as much as the physical ones when it comes to how the game increased their quality of life.
While things aren’t usually fun for the whole family, pickleball is truly the outlier here. No matter who you are, you can enjoy the game. Try it out with your aunt, uncle, parents, or even grandparents! Pickleball is a great game no matter your age or fitness level. Check out the Qranc shop to hop in the game today!