Pickleball's Role in Long-Term Weight Loss Success
You may hear people refer to weight loss efforts as a "journey." That's an accurate description, as sustainable weight loss often takes time, effort and commitment. Trying to reach and sustain a healthy weight through fad diets and intense workouts is not a recipe for long-term success. That approach may help a person shed some pounds, but when they can no longer tolerate the calorie restrictions or exercise that's hard on their body and mind, they put the weight back on.
People striving to lose weight tend to achieve better results when they eat a sensible diet and engage in enjoyable physical activity. Enter pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.
Combining aspects of tennis, table tennis and badminton, pickleball is played on a smaller court and with a lighter ball. Consequently, while the action can still be fast-paced, it's less taxing on the body, making it a game that is accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
This article explains how pickleball can play a pivotal role in a fitness program, helping people lose weight and keep it off.
Pickleball: A Great Way To Burn Some Calories
While pickleball may be less physically demanding than other sports, like tennis, it still provides a good cardiovascular workout. The number of calories burned in an hour will vary based on your weight, your style of play and other factors. However, here are some estimates of calories burned based on the intensity of play:
- 250 to 350 calories (light intensity)
- 400 to 600 calories (moderate intensity)
- 700+ calories (high intensity)
These numbers compare favorably to many other activities and sports, such as walking, biking at a leisurely pace, aerobics and golfing (carrying your clubs), which often burn between 200 and 375 calories per hour.
Pickleball and the Fun Factor
Many people have been led to believe that to lose weight, you have to subscribe to the "no pain, no gain" philosophy. Pickleball is showing that you can have fun while burning calories and moving toward your weight loss goals.
The sport is known as much for its welcoming community as it is for its dynamic play. Picklers tend to be friendly people who might be competitive and enjoy winning, but never at the expense of offending their opponents or damaging relationships.
That sense of camaraderie is more than just an interesting characteristic of pickleball communities. It can be a powerful motivator for people trying to lose weight. "You can burn a significant amount of calories and have some fun with friendly people?" they think. "I'm in!" Unsurprisingly, many who take up pickleball to support their weight loss goals continue playing the sport long after they've hit their target. The social side of the game can also support mental health.
An Affordable and Accessible Sport
Another reason so many people incorporate pickleball into their weight loss plans is its affordability and accessibility. Courts are popping up all over the U.S., so it's typically easy to find a place to play, often for free, including at local parks, community centers and clubs. The cost of equipment is also minimal. All you need is a paddle, a ball and a pair of supportive court shoes.
The game's skyrocketing popularity means it's not hard to find opponents or, importantly, informal "coaches" who can help you learn the game. Pickleball isn't complicated, but getting a little insight from an experienced player can help you get up to speed quickly and make the sport more enjoyable.
Get the Green Light and Get Started!
Pickleball can be an excellent addition to your weight loss toolkit and help you achieve long-term success. It's also a great way to meet people and make friends, which benefits your mental and emotional health.
As with any sport, you should talk with your orthopedic provider before getting started, especially if you don't currently exercise regularly or if you've recently had a bariatric procedure (weight loss surgery).
Don't have a Baptist Health provider? You can use our provider directory to find one.
