By: Tiffany Thor

Pickleball. It may be silly sounding, but don’t be fooled – it’s some pretty serious stuff. That is, if you take having fun seriously. Tennis players, former tennis players, injured tennis players, kids of tennis players, parents of tennis players, grandparents of tennis players, and even people who’ve never played tennis (yes, they exist!) may want to give pickleball a shot. That is to say, you don’t have to be in tip top shape to start playing pickleball – it’s a one-size-fits-all kind of sport!

Facts About Pickleball

So what is this “pickleball” that I speak of anyway? It’s not something only seen on TV being played by The Real Housewives on Bravo. It’s sweeping the nation and chances are is even being offered at your local YMCA or other nearby sports facility. Fun facts: pickleball was invented by a bored Congressman; he called it pickleball because his dog Pickles would always chase out-of-bound balls; the Guinness record for longest game of pickleball is 24 hours; it has been played worldwide for over three decades! Some practical facts: Pickleball is a combination of tennis, ping pong/table tennis, and badminton; it’s played on a court the same size as a badminton court (20 ft x 44 ft); it’s played with a composite graphite paddle and a baseball-sized wiffle ball; the net is 2 inches shorter than the net on tennis courts.

Why Play Pickleball

That said, what's the big deal? Why play what at first may seem like some sort of mid-size version of tennis, between tennis and ping pong? A number of reasons, actually, one of the topmost being that having less ground to cover on the smaller court translates into less stress on your joints than playing on a standard size tennis court. Many players have discovered pickleball while recovering from tennis-related injuries. As with any physical activity, playing pickleball stimulates your brain as much as your muscles. It increases the amount of oxygen going to the ol’ thinkbox and keeps you on your toes both literally and figuratively. It also provides social stimulation, which studies show improves overall health even in people who are self-declared curmudgeons.

Don’t forget that you can use a lot of your tennis gear for this game as well! As a matter of fact, take a look at what reviews have to say about using their tennis shoes to play. And of course your tennis apparel is wholly appropriate for play. But you should still treat yourself to some new threads for your first match! Shop for all your pickleball needs here at Tennis Express.

You can find out more about pickleball and check for local places to play by visiting the USA Pickleball Association.

Head over to our blog to learn more about the latest Pickleball and Tennis Equipment.