Pickleball is more popular than ever: Here's why it's so good for your health
Does it seem like pickleball — the tennis-badminton-Ping-Pong hybrid — is suddenly everywhere?
The fastest growing sport in America boasts more than 4.8 million players (including TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager and Leonardo DiCaprio). While the game with a silly name (it has nothing to do with pickles) has been especially popular with adults 55 and older, it is beginning to appeal to a younger crowd. The average age for all players dropped to 38.1 years old in 2021, according to USA Pickleball, the National Governing Body for the sport in the U.S. And the fastest growth of participants from 2020 to 2021 was among players under 24 years of age.
There are many reasons that pickleball appeals to people of all ages. For starters, it's a fun and social way to stay in shape. Matches are also played on a court considerably smaller than a tennis court, which makes for less running and a more accessible workout. But with games typically lasting an hour, you’ll work up a good sweat and burn up to 11 calories per minute. (As always, check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.)
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