Get Moving In April: Pickleball

IT’S ALL THE RAGE

As the weather is turning warmer, we look forward to outdoor activities to stay active. One of the fastest growing sports in the USA is Pickleball. If you already play, you already know the benefits of this fun activity. If you are “pickle-curious” we have some thoughts which may encourage you to try this sport.

The benefits of pickleball include aerobic exercise without putting AS MUCH stress and strain on joints and muscles as tennis or running. It is considered a moderate intensity exercise. As such, you can expect lower blood pressure and blood sugar, improved cholesterol numbers and caloric burn. Endorphins are released and this lowers anxiety, elevates self-esteem and can help combat depression. It is similar to tennis or ping pong is and usually played with a group of 2 or 4 players.

From a beginner perspective we recommend starting out playing 1-2x a week and build up your cardio tolerance. Be sure to take care of your joint health with supportive shoes and/or orthotics, take your supplements to support bone and soft tissues for knees, hips and spine, and wear supportive knee/elbow/wrist braces if necessary.

We recommend checking out the website pickleheads.com for great information and tips about rules and scoring, necessary equipment, and even where to find a court near you. Many community centers and gyms have courts in place and local parks are including pickleball courts in their expansion plans for this year.

This is a fun way to get some moderate intensity exercise and learn something new. It is relatively inexpensive for the equipment and many courts are free to use and in your local neighborhood. Be sure to stay in your best form with regular chiropractic adjustments and massage to live your best (pickle) life!