Drew Pierce If you are wondering how many calories burned playing pickleball, you are not alone! As the paddle-based sport continues to grow rapidly, many folks are left wondering if they are sacrificing a workout for a good time.
With so many factors dictating calorie burn, it’s impossible to answer the query in a specific way. However, there are a few generalizations regarding pickleball and calorie burn.
Welcome to our weekly wrap-up of pickleball happenings around the globe.
Pickleball Gets Preppy
As the sport of pickleball continues its mainstream ascent, more retailers are jumping into the game. This past week J. Crew got in on the action by launching a collab with Recess, a pickleball paddle, and an accessory brand. At the time of this writing, many of the stylish paddles are sold out. Coming soon: Pickleball balls by Vineyard Vines? An indoor pickleball court while you wait at the DMV? (Hmmmm…I actually like the idea of the latter!)
Up Next: Selkirk Labs 003
Labeled as “the Ultimate Paddle for Power, Control, and Spin,” Selkirik is positioning its Labs 003 project as the dream paddle. Has the leading paddle manufacturer created a unicorn paddle? Only time will tell, but with the thickest core available (20mm) and promising more power/control than any previous Selkirk paddle, we’re excited to get our hands on one for a test drive. Expect to pay north of $300 when the paddle is released. But can you put a price on perfection?
Find of the Week
The find of the week goes to these yellow plastic paddles. I’ve seen some pretty cheap pickleball equipment with these might take the cake. While I am pleased to see equipment available at all price points, and recognize that everyone needs to start somewhere, I have no doubt that you would be better off with a $12 wood paddle. But hey, whatever gets the kids playing!
My Pickleball Journey
While only able to play once this week, I had a strong showing, winning most of my games–but more importantly, really enjoying myself. My goal was to play the game the “right” way, relying on deep shots, dinks and speed changes. Many of my shots were praised by other players. I walked away feeling validated that my game is improving, making me feel warm and fuzzy.
Some people play pickleball for exercise. Others enjoy the social nature of the sport. However, there are players solely seeking the thrill of victory and the coveted pickleball trophy!
In reality, many people play for all three reasons cited above. But you would be surprised how a simple trophy will motivate people to play.
Here are five reasons why you should get a pickleball trophy.
Are you wondering how to increase hand speed to level up your pickleball game and dominate your opponents? Or at least give yourself a fighting chance to win some points against higher-level players?
If so, you’re in luck! This blog post will explore some exercises and training advice that can help increase your hand speed. Hand speed is essential for playing well in pickleball – if you can’t hit the ball quickly, you’ll be at a disadvantage against more skilled players.
I am the proud owner of a Pickleball Central Mystery Box. And I splurged for the “Premium” edition. 🙂
Never one to gamble on mystery boxes since my skeptical side believes it will be nothing but a collection of merchandise that no one wants, I couldn’t resist the lure of getting a bunch of pickleball paddles. The rational me recognizes that mystery boxes are often filled with blemished items or products that a retailer cannot move otherwise. However, the emotional me, which is in love with everything pickleball, couldn’t resist the opportunity.
When I first embarked on my pickleball journey, one of the first questions I needed to answer was how to practice pickleball alone.
Even though I come from a recreational tennis background, the thought of showing up to the court never having held a pickleball paddle was a frightening proposition. My first step was to develop several pickleball drills to do by yourself. I started by hitting the ball against a wall in my house using nothing but some painter’s tape at the 3-foot mark to indicate the height of the net (a pickleball net is actually 34 inches high in the middle).
The pickleball lob is a strategic shot designed to push your opponents back to the baseline, opening up the court for an attack. It is most effective against players with limited mobility or when the sun is in their eyes. To execute it safely, you must disguise your motion and aim deep into the opponent’s backhand corner.
The pickleball lob shot can be the key to victory–or the reason why you aren’t invited back to play! The lob is one of the most frustrating pickleball shots for many players to defend against. This post will examine when to lob, when to avoid it, and how to execute it to perfection.
This post is about winning points and matches, not necessarily “playing nice.” While many players find the lob the “easy way out,” it can be a fantastic tactic if you pick and choose your moments.
When playing pickleball, it is essential to have the right pickleball sneakers or shoes. You need pickleball sneakers that will provide good traction and stability on the court. If not, you are putting yourself at risk for a sprained ankle, tendon strain–or worse.
In this post, we will discuss the different shoes that are best for playing pickleball, as well as some tips on choosing the right pair for you. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, read on to learn more about picking out the perfect pickleball sneakers!
Pickleball terms and terminology don’t differ all that much from tennis and other sports. Well, except for the occasional ‘dink’ or ‘Erne!’ 🙂
The sport known as “ping pong on steroids” brings a vernacular as unique as the game itself. Here is a running list of pickleball terms to help keep you in the know.
Please let us know if we missed one of your favorite pickleball vocabulary words.
Playing pickleball doubles can be a lot of fun, but it takes some practice to get good at it. To play well with a partner, you need to communicate effectively and work together as a team. Here are five tips for playing better pickleball doubles.