5 Reasons Why Seniors Love Pickleball

When we were kids, we didn’t know we were working out when jumping rope or playing tag. Pickleball is one of the most popular activities for seniors because it feels like a return to those days. You’re having so much fun you hardly realize you’re working both your heart and your muscles. 

Let’s take a closer look at why pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America — and such a popular senior activity.

1. Pickleball Is Easy to Pick Up

Much like a wiffle ball, pickleballs are light and lose speed quickly. Most people — even those who have never played sports before — can hit a pickleball the first time they play. 

The official rules are fairly simple. You can read them here but, honestly, it’s often better to just jump in and learn as you play, especially if someone is willing to show you the ropes, which brings us to the second reason why active seniors love pickleball.

2. Pickleball Is a Friendly Sport

Most pickleball courts have designated times for what’s called open social play, meaning players of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Show up to play, even if you’ve never picked up a paddle before, and see for yourself why pickleballers are known for being welcoming and friendly. Let people know you’re new to the game, and more experienced players will offer tips and explain how the game is scored. 

Because the court is so small (one-quarter the size of a tennis court), it’s easy to banter with your partner and opponents between points. Typically, you’ll have a short wait between matches, which is when the real chatting and socializing is done.

All of this makes pickleball an ideal senior activity for those looking to make friends while having fun.  

3. Pickleball Offers a Good Workout

In 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. Pickleball also requires bending down, squatting, and reaching overhead — all of which work the muscles we need to function with ease in our daily lives.

You’ll also get your heart rate up which, of course, is good for your 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 both their blood pressure and their cholesterol, as well as their fitness level. 

The study concluded that pickleball for seniors is a “feasible alternative to traditional exercise modalities,” which is good news for those of us who would rather be outside swinging a paddle than inside working out on machines.

4. Pickleball Puts You in a Good Mood

All physical activity boosts the feel-good hormones that we think of as a “runner’s high.” Combined with the well-established mood boosts of socializing, the game packs quite a mood-improving punch. 

Take a look at this 2023 review of 13 research papers addressing the over-50 population, which showed significant improvement in “personal well being, life satisfaction, depression, stress, happiness, etc.” Sports Illustrated also credits pickleball with promoting mindfulness (you have to focus on the point), raising confidence (you get better fast), and improving cognitive function (you have to react quickly).

5. Pickleball Is Everywhere!

There are now more than 50,000 pickleball courts in the United States. Find one near you by putting your zip code into this search bar on Pickleheads.com.

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. Once you get a grip on the game, consider entering a tournament that’s at your skill level. You can find one in your area at USAPickleball.com.

A Word of Caution

Because pickleball is so easy to pick up, it’s also easy to overdo it, which is likely why pickleball injuries are on the rise. Just like any physical activity or sport, it’s important to wear the right shoes (court shoes), warm up properly, and know your limits. 

So start slow, grab a paddle, have fun, and experience the many mental and physical health benefits of pickleball.

Other Activities for Seniors at Stonebridge of Montgomery

Stonebridge at Montgomery is an active Life Plan Community located in Skillman, New Jersey. Through our award-winning LivWell program, we embrace the seven dimensions of wellness, including physical, intellectual, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, and vocational. You’ll find one-on-one training sessions in our, classes in the art studio, faith discussion groups, book clubs, cornhole tournaments, happy hours with friends, and outings to the many amenities offered at nearby Princeton. See it all in action for yourself by scheduling a visit.