Looking for a fun and active way to burn calories? Then it’s time to grab your pickleball paddle and head to the court! Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of pickleball calories burned, including the factors that can impact your calorie burn and tips for maximizing your workout!
Get in Shape with Pickleball: How Many Calories Does Pickleball Game Burn?
According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), playing Pickleball can burn up to 500 calories per hour for an average person. It is equal to other forms of cardio exercise like cycling or running.
But, how long does a Pickleball match take? The length of a pickleball match can range from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with an average game time of up to 45-60 minutes.
In short, if you play Pickleball for 30 minutes, you can expect to burn around 200 calories. This increases to around 350 calories for a 45-minute session, and up to 500 calories for an hour-long game.
Factors That Affect Pickleball Calories Burned
Let’s explore the top factors that affect calorie burning, so you can step up your game and achieve your fitness goals.
Playing Time and Intensity
Playing time and intensity are two major factors that impact the number of calories you burn playing pickleball. For those playing at low intensity, the calorie burning can be around 3 to 6 calories per minute. While for high-intensity games, it can go up to 8 to 10 calories per minute.
Player Weight and Body Composition
The more a person weighs, and the higher their body composition (muscle mass or body fat), the more calories they burn playing pickleball.
It is important to note that muscle mass requires more energy to maintain than fat, resulting in higher calorie burning. Thus, focus on increasing your muscle mass to burn more calories while playing pickleball.
Age and Gender
Younger people tend to burn more calories than older people due to their faster metabolism. As we get older, we have to work harder during exercise to achieve the same calorie burning.
Gender also plays a role, as men have higher muscle mass and higher metabolic rates, leading to greater calorie burning during exercise. Women tend to burn fewer calories than men due to their lower muscle mass and smaller body size.
Skill Level and Technique
Experienced players may burn fewer calories as they have more efficient movement patterns and can conserve energy. However, players can still increase the intensity level to burn more calories regardless of skill level. Using more demanding techniques like dinks, drops, and lobs will burn more calories than simply hitting the ball back and forth.
Single vs Double
Playing singles pickleball can burn more calories than doubles pickleball due to increased movement and court coverage.
Calorie Count of Playing Pickleball
Let’s dive into the numbers and see how many calories you can burn playing pickleball.
Average Calories Burned Per Hour of Play
On average, a person can burn around 350-400 calories per hour of singles pickleball and 250-300 calories per hour of doubles pickleball. This number can increase to over 500 calories per hour for a more intense game or a heavier individual. Yet, keep in mind that this number can vary depending on several factors which we mentioned above.
Calorie Burning in Doubles Pickleball
Playing doubles pickleball can be a great workout, especially if you play for an extended period. On average, a person can burn around 400-500 calories per hour of play.
Calculate Your Calories Burned – How Many Calories Are Burned While Playing?
Use our Pickleball Calorie Calculator to get an estimated number of calories burned during your pickleball game.
Calories burned:
Which Sport Burns More Calories – Pickleball or Tennis?
Two popular racket sports, tennis, and pickleball, have become increasingly popular in recent years. But which one is better for burning calories and getting in shape?
Let’s compare the calorie-burning potential of tennis and pickleball to help you decide which one is the better choice for you. Tennis and pickleball are both great forms of exercise, but they have their differences.
Calorie Burning Potential of Tennis
Tennis is a high-intensity sport that requires a lot of running, jumping, and swinging. According to a study by Harvard Health, a person who weighs 155 pounds can burn up to 372 calories in just 30 minutes of playing tennis.
Calorie Burning Potential of Pickleball
Pickleball is a low-impact game that is gentler on the body than tennis. It played on a smaller court with a paddle and a plastic ball. A person who weighs 155 pounds can burn up to 272 calories in 30 minutes of playing.
Which Sport is Better for Weight Loss?
If you are looking to lose weight, tennis may be a better option for you, it burns more calories per hour than pickleball. But, if you are looking for a low-impact workout that is easier on your joints, pickleball may be a better choice. The choice between tennis and pickleball ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and fitness goals.
Comparison with Other Sports and Activities
Check out the table below for a comparison of the average calories burned per hour for various exercises and sports, based on a 155-pound person.
Health Benefits of Pickleball
Not only is pickleball a fun way to burn calories, but it also provides numerous health benefits.
Increases Strength
Pickleball is a dynamic game that engages your entire body. It provides a full-body workout that targets multiple muscle groups. The game involves various movements, including hitting the ball, running, jumping, and lunging, which works your arms, legs, core, and shoulders. It helps you develop lean muscle mass and improve your strength.
Cardiovascular Health and Fitness
In addition to building muscle strength, pickleball also offers a cardiovascular workout. It can help you improve your endurance and stamina, get your heart pumping, and provides a challenging aerobic workout.
Low-Impact Exercise and Joint Health
With its low-impact nature, pickleball is an excellent option for individuals recovering from injuries or those with joint issues. It’s also a perfect workout for older adults looking to improve their strength, balance, and coordination.
Improved Balance and Coordination
Pickleball is a fast-paced sport that requires quick reflexes, sharp movements, and precise shots. It can greatly benefit your balance and coordination, which tend to decline with age. Regular pickleball play can help improve agility and reduce the risk of falls, especially in older adults.
Lose Weight Playing Pickleball
If you’re looking to lose weight, pickleball can be a game-changer! With its fast-paced nature and dynamic footwork, pickleball can turn your workouts into a fat-burning frenzy. Plus, the thrill of the rally and the versatility of the game provides endless opportunities for variety and challenge.
Social and Mental Health Benefits
Pickleball is a great way to connect with others and make new friends. You can play pickleball with your family, and friends, or join a local pickleball league to meet like-minded individuals who share the same passion for the game. The social aspect of pickleball adds an element of enjoyment and motivation to your workout routine, making it easier to stick to your fitness goals and stay consistent.
Tips for Burning More Calories Playing Pickleball
Let’s dive into some tips to help you burn more calories during gameplay:
- Vary Your Shots and Techniques Mixing up your shots and techniques can engage different muscles and help you burn more calories. Try hitting the ball with different spins, using drop shots, changing up your footwork, and playing on different surfaces. Play with different partners of varying skill levels to push yourself to adapt to different game styles.
- Increase Playing Intensity. By pushing yourself to move faster, hit harder, and cover more court, you’ll not only improve your game but also increase your calorie burning. Engage in singles play, which requires more physical effort compared to doubles, to push yourself and burn more calories.
- Put Your Feet in Motion: Footwork is key in pickleball, and it’s also a superb way to amplify your calorie burning. Stay nimble on your feet, constantly moving and positioning yourself for the perfect shot.
- Incorporate Cross-Training and Strength Training. Incorporating cross-training and strength training into your workout routine can help improve your pickleball game and burn more calories. Focus on exercises that target your legs, core, and upper body.
- Increase Gameplay Time: The more you play, the more calories you’ll burn!
Conclusion
Pickleball is a fun and exciting game that offers a great workout and numerous health benefits. Whether you’re looking to improve your joint health, balance, coordination, or mental health, pickleball has something to offer. So why not grab a paddle and give it a try?
FAQ
Does playing doubles or singles pickleball burn more calories?
Yes, there are noticeable differences in the calorie burn between singles and doubles pickleball play. Singles require players to cover the entire court themselves, leading to more movement, a faster pace, and therefore a higher calorie burn. On the other hand, doubles pickleball play divides the court between two players which results in less movement and a slightly reduced pace, resulting in a lower calorie burn. However, the exact amount of calories burned can also depend on various other factors such as the intensity of the game, individual player’s effort level, body weight, and metabolism.
What factors affect the number of calories burned playing pickleball?
The number of calories burned can be influenced by various factors such as body weight, age, fitness level, playing intensity, duration of the game, and playing surface.
Is pickleball good for weight loss?
Yes, playing pickleball can be an effective way to lose weight as it helps burn calories and provides a challenging cardiovascular workout. However, it’s important to remember that weight loss also involves healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices.
Can beginners still burn a lot of calories playing pickleball?
Yes, beginners can still burn a lot of calories during gameplay, especially if they are playing at a higher intensity level. It’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity level to avoid injury.
Can playing pickleball in hot weather affect the number of calories burned?
Yes, playing pickleball in hot weather can increase the number of calories burned as the body works harder to regulate body temperature. It’s important to stay hydrated and take breaks as needed to prevent overheating and dehydration.
How can I maximize my calorie burn while playing pickleball?
Pickleball players can increase the number of calories burned during a game by increasing the intensity level. This can be achieved by playing singles instead of doubles, challenging yourself with more competitive opponents, engaging more in sprints or rapid movements, and spending more time in active play. Adding more sessions or extending the duration of your pickleball play would also help you burn as many calories as possible.
Is Pickleball a good workout?
Absolutely! Pickleball is a fantastic workout that offers a variety of health benefits, including helping you lose weight. It provides a full-body workout that engages multiple muscle groups, improves cardiovascular fitness, promotes flexibility, agility, and coordination, and helps with weight management.
Why is Pickleball best for older adults or seniors?
Playing pickleball good exercise option for older adults or seniors because of its low-impact nature. Additionally, pickleball can help improve balance, coordination, and cognitive function, which are important aspects of healthy aging.
How many calories can you burn playing pickleball?
Playing pickleball is an excellent way to burn calories. On average, you can expect to burn around 350 to 500 calories per hour. This value can vary depending on numerous factors, such as the intensity of the pickleball game, your weight, the doubles pickleball or singles play style, and the duration of the game. It’s important to note that these numbers are approximations and individual calorie burn may vary.
Do you burn more calories playing pickleball or playing tennis?
In general, people tend to burn more calories playing tennis. However, playing pickleball can also result in a significant calorie burn, making it a great alternative. Each game offers different benefits and challenges, and your total calories burned will largely depend on the intensity of play. However, for those looking for a less strenuous, social, and fun way to burn calories, pickleball is a great choice.
How many calories per minute do you burn playing pickleball?
On average, you can expect to burn approximately 7 to 8 calories per minute playing pickleball. This gives pickleball a slight edge over other sports such as walking or light jogging in terms of the number of calories burned. Remember, these are general estimations and the amount of calories you burn can vary based on factors such as your weight, the intensity level of the game, and your individual metabolism.