In recent years, especially since the pandemic, the game of pickleball has been on the rise. In fact, in 2020, 4.2 million Americans played pickleball at least once; however, since then, the number of Americans that have played pickleball at least once has reached 13.6 million, more than triple, according to Statista. Pickleball can appeal to a variety of players, from retirees to young teens looking for a way to keep busy. But, why has pickleball grown so quickly since the pandemic, especially with all of the other racket sports out there? What is the big draw?

The Appeal of Pickleball

Pickleball can be seen as a cross between three different sports: tennis with its net being the same height, badminton with the same court size and ping pong with the same ping pong paddles. The pickleball is also thought to be similar to a wiffle ball. 

Overall, pickleball is easy enough for all ages to learn, especially considering the pickleball court is small enough without involving too much physical activity. Pickleball is low-impact on the knees and joints, making it a great choice for the older generations. The mix of strategy, quick movement and teamwork can make the game extra excitable. The rules are also easy to grasp – with the main one being the two-bounce rule where the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before hitting, and then the serving team must let it bounce before hitting, then allowing volleys for the rest of the round. 

Pickleball is also relatively cost-effective – another bonus compared to the other sports out there. You just need a few rackets and some balls, and you can often play at your local gym, public court, community center or park for free. 

As someone who recently started doing pickleball weekly since January, the game has been fairly easy to pick up and allows me to enjoy some social time with family and wind down before another busy week. Whether you’re playing at your local gym or competing in a local pickleball league, pickleball allows for a sense of community to form, especially when playing doubles. Pickleball’s community is truly not like any other sport out there. 

Longevity 

It’s no surprise that a mix of physical activity and a sense of community can be positive for your health – but by how much exactly? A study by the Mayo Clinic found that racket sports like tennis can increase your life expectancy by 9.7 years, with badminton about 6.2 years, according to Psychology Today. Pickleball can’t be too far behind. 

Besides life expectancy, playing a racket sport can also drastically improve your heart health, including reducing the risk of dying from heart disease like a heart attack or stroke by 56%, Psychology Today found.

Racket sports can engage the entire body – increasing flexibility, coordination, speed and agility. Hand-eye coordination is important in pickleball, such as anticipating where your opponent’s ball will land on your court. 

Research has also shown that pickleball can help in preventing cancer. About one in five cancers are linked to excess body weight and not enough physical activity, according to the American Cancer Society. Pickleball can help people get the recommended 150-300 minutes of moderate activity or the 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity a week, making it a fun, light-intensity and social activity.

What may have started as a simple activity meant to pass time in the 1960s has turned into a social movement across all generations. Whether doing pickleball to improve your overall health, make new friends or try a sport you saw through TV or social media, pickleball has a place for everyone, no matter their age or health. Specifically, there are about 48.3 pickleball players in the US, according to Pickleheads. Pick up a pickleball racket today, grab a group of friends and head to your local gym or recreation center to try a round of pickleball!