Why Pickleball Should Be A New Year’s Resolution
Everyone’s failed a new year’s resolution. Promises to exercise more just don’t have enough time, assurances to lose weight don’t seem to work no matter what diet, and plans to save money almost always go over-budget. But what if there was a way to knock all three of these common new year resolution aims off your list? This one simple, popular, and fun sport can help you achieve all your goals for the coming year and more.
According to Statista, some of the most popular new year resolutions for 2025 are to save more money, lose weight, and exercise more. While many mainstream sports can help with the latter two; a lot of them are often expensive, and can’t be played at a high level by all ages.
Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport for the third year in a row, and is a great way to exercise and lose weight. This growing sport can burn up to 600 calories an hour in a competitive singles match, and over 500 calories in competitive doubles, making both formats equivalent to a light jog for the average person. However, unlike other mainstream sports, pickleball is unique in that it’s a sport for all ages. Families can play together without the steep learning curve of many other sports like tennis, and children can play with their grandparents without worrying about any health risks.
In fact, like many other aerobic sports, pickleball has many physical and mental health benefits. Aside from improving lung function and cardiovascular conditioning, research has shown the sport can also improve cognitive function and relieve stress, as aerobic activities cause the release of endorphins, a stress-reducing neurotransmitter.
Pickleball is also a very social sport; it’s very hard to play without meeting others who are also interested and share a similar age. It’s popular amongst virtually every age group, with 18 - 24 year olds playing the most followed by seniors 65+ years in age. For those thinking they won’t find a group to play with, in 2023 there were 36.5 million active pickleball players in the US, with that number growing every day, so there should be plenty of players in any local community.
Pickleball is also one of the most cost-effective sports out there, so for those looking for a more budget friendly way to lose calories than expensive gym memberships or weight loss programs, pickleball can be a great alternative. A good pickleball paddle can cost anywhere from $20 for beginner players to $100 for professionals. Many courts are free and a simple starter kit costs only $75 to play pickleball right outside in your driveway!
Next time when you are scrolling through sports or any activity that would make a good new year’s resolution, pickleball clearly stands atop the rest for its wide array of players in all ages and skill levels, cost-effectiveness, and physical activity. So get out there and try this fascinating sport, possibly keeping that new year’s resolution that always manages to slip awaw.
Works Cited:
https://www.statista.com/chart/29019/most-common-new-years-resolutions-us/
