The Workout Value of Pickleball Compared to Other Racquet Sports
Pickleball has been gaining traction as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, often touted for its health benefits and potential as a solid workout. To understand how pickleball stacks up against other racquet sports, a comprehensive analysis by measuring physical activity across various sports, including pickleball singles and doubles, tennis singles and doubles, squash singles, and racquetball singles. Using an Apple Watch to track metrics such as calories burned and heart rate, data from 70 different sessions to draw meaningful comparisons.
The findings revealed that pickleball singles provide the most intense workout, surpassing even competitive tennis singles. However, pickleball doubles, particularly in open play, ranked as the least taxing among the sports tested. Here's a breakdown of the sports in order of exercise intensity, from highest to lowest: Pickleball Singles (tournament), Tennis Singles (tournament), Tennis Doubles (tournament), Squash Singles, Pickleball Doubles (tournament), Racquetball Singles (tournament), and Pickleball Doubles (open play). The data highlights the variance in exertion levels based on the format of play and competition level.
Detailed Analysis of Caloric Burn and Heart Rate
Pickleball Singles - Competitive/Tournament: Averaging 451 active calories burned per hour with a heart rate of 116 BPM, pickleball singles emerged as the most strenuous, driven by constant movement and high-intensity rallies.
Tennis Singles - Competitive: Coming close with 437 active calories burned per hour and a heart rate of 115 BPM, tennis singles also demanded significant exertion, particularly due to serving and long rallies.
Tennis Doubles - Competitive: Despite involving less movement, tennis doubles still managed 405 active calories per hour, indicating that competitive play keeps the activity level high.
Squash Singles - Competitive: Known for its intense pace, squash singles recorded 402 active calories per hour with a heart rate of 103 BPM, though the readings might have been skewed by my limited cardio endurance.
Pickleball Doubles - Competitive/Tournament: With 401 active calories burned per hour and a heart rate of 112 BPM, competitive pickleball doubles require substantial activity, though less than singles due to shared court coverage.
Racquetball Singles - Competitive/Tournament: At 399 active calories per hour, racquetball singles are demanding, though perhaps less so than the sport claims, likely affected by downtime between matches.
Pickleball Doubles - Open Play: Averaging 370 active calories burned per hour and a heart rate of 101 BPM, open play pickleball doubles proved the least intense, often involving significant downtime and less vigorous play.
For those seeking a rigorous workout from pickleball, singles play or competitive doubles with skilled partners is recommended. Casual or open play doubles may not provide the same level of exercise, particularly if the level of competition varies. Ultimately, the key to maximizing the health benefits of any racquet sport lies in the intensity and consistency of play. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a recreational player, understanding these dynamics can help tailor your approach to achieve better fitness outcomes.
