Who knew a paddle, a wiffle ball, and a dash of competitiveness could burn serious calories?
Pickleball is one fun game that can be your favorite cardio! This energetic, fast-paced sport gets your heart pumping. Irrespective of your reason for picking pickleball, this recreational workout allows you to chase competitors.
Pickleball is the best way to stay active. But did you know pickleball can help you burn calories, too? Yes, this fun game helps shed some extra pounds effortlessly!
But exactly how many calories does pickleball burn? And what makes it beneficial as compared to other sports?
Let’s dive in to find out.
How Does Pickleball Help Burn Calories?
Knowing how many calories you’ll burn by playing pickleball will help you track your fitness progress. You can plan a customize workout routine to meet your fitness goals.
Whether you love playing in a double match or planning to go solo, there are various factors that help burn calories.
- Weight matters: People with more weight burn more fat. It is because their bodies require more energy to move.
- Intensity Level: A fun game with friends burns less calories as compared to a competitive match like pickleball.
- Duration: Extend play time if you wish to burn more calories.
- Playing Style: Are you a baseline player, or do you rush the net? The more movement involved, the higher your calorie expenditure.
- Singles vs. Doubles: Singles games have more running, leading to a higher calorie burn than doubles matches.
How Many Calories Does Pickleball Burn Per Hour?
Just like every other competitive sport, pickleball demands agility, quick reflexes, and frequent movement. From pulling off shots across the court to poweburnstting shots, every move burn calories.
In general, an individual can burn from 250 to 700 calories per hour. However, not every individual gets the same results. There are a number of factors that influence the calorie count:
- A 125-pound person burns approximately 250-400 calories per hour.
- A 155-pound person burns around 350-500 calories per hour.
- An individual weighing 185 pounds is expected to burn 400-700 calories in an hour.
These numbers are most likely to vary as they depend on the intensity of your game. If you’re planning to play a single match, you’ll be able to burn more weight.
Sports To Consider For Fat Burning
Pickleball is not the only sport that helps burn fat. For healthy weight maintenance, you can consider the following sports:
- Walking (3.5 mph) – Help burn 200-300 calories per hour.
- Tennis (doubles) – Allows you to burn 350-500 calories per hour.
- Tennis (singles) – Help burn 500-700 calories per hour.
- Basketball – Burn 400-600 calories per hour.
- Running – Keeps you active throughout the day and burns 600-900 calories per hour.
The above mentioned calorie count shows that pickleball is a better choice for calorie burn.
Calories Burned Playing Pickleball: Single vs. Doubles
Playing singles means challenging yourself physically. You’re on your own when playing singles, while doubles eases the hitting process.
- Singles: help burn 500-700 calories per hour
- Doubles: help burn 250-400 calories per hour
Both types of matches can help you burn calories. If your goal is to burn more calories, go for a singles match for visible results. But you can only see visible results once you choose pickleball personal training and get familiar with all the dynamics of this game.
How to Burn More Calories While Playing Pickleball?
Burning calories while playing and being energetic is never a bad idea. Ditch boring workout routine and go for a game that excites you and puts you in beast mode.
- Play More Singles Matches: Engage in more energetic play with single matches.
- Increase the Intensity: Hit the ball with full power and reach promptly to dominate your opponents.
- Move Constantly: Keep moving and anticipate shots from the opponent’s end. Remember, it’s important to chase down every ball.
- Extend Your Playtime: Playing for long hours helps burn more calories.
- Include Strength Training: Stronger muscles help you move faster and improve endurance, allowing you to play longer.
How Can You Track Calories Burned in Pickleball?
Calorie tracking is becoming quick and accurate. You can pick a fitness tracker or a smart watch to track your progress. Tracking devices like Apple Watch, Fitbit can provide you with real time calorie tracking.
Moreover, you can use online calorie calculators to estimate your weight, activity level, and duration of play. But remember, these calculators might not be 100% accurate. But it can still provide you with quick insight into your weight loss journey.
The Role of Heart Rate in Calories Burned During Pickleball
When playing pickleball, you can not only track calorie burn but heart rate too. The higher your energy level is, the faster your heart will beat.
Here is how different heart rate zones affect calorie burn:
- Light Activity (50-60% of max heart rate) – Low-calorie burn, similar to a casual walk.
- Moderate Activity (60-70% of max heart rate) – Slow calorie burn, is best to shed some extra pounds without going for medicines or surgeries.
- High-Intensity Activity (70-85% of max heart rate) – Burn maximum number of calories with pickleball and improve your cardiovascular fitness.
Professional pickleball players can choose a moderate to high-intensity zone, which is best for both fat loss and improving endurance.
Additional Health Benefits of Playing Pickleball
Other than calorie burn, pickleball offers other health benefits too. Here are some most common ones.
- Improves Cardiovascular Fitness – Keeps your heart pumping at a normal rate.
- Enhances Coordination and Reflexes – Helps improve balance, agility, and reaction times.
- Strengthens Muscles and Joints – The movements in pickleball activate your whole body. From legs to upper body you can feel the energy like never before.
- Great for Social Interaction – Playing with others boosts mental health and reduces stress.
- Lowers Stress Levels – Engaging in physical activity like pickleball helps release endorphins. It means you’ll be able to deal with less anxiety and stress.
- Weight Management – Consistent play helps maintain a healthy weight and is easy to maintain.
Calories Burned in Pickleball Based on Different Playstyles
There are different ways to play pickleball, and each style impacts your calorie burn:
- Casual Play – Light movement, slower pace, typically doubles matches. Burns around 250-350 calories per hour.
- Recreational Play – More movement, longer rallies, occasional sprinting. Burns 350-500 calories per hour.
- Competitive Play – Fast-paced, intense gameplay, singles matches, frequent sprinting. Burns 500-700 calories per hour.
If your goal is to lose calories, choose a recreational workout for competitive play.
Pickleball: The Perfect Weight Loss Plan!
Your weight loss journey couldn’t get any loser. If you’re trying to lose weight, pickleball can be the right choice for your fitness routine. To lose one pound, you need to burn at least 3,500 calories.
Here’s how playing pickleball can help maintain a healthy weight:
- Playing 3 times a week for an hour – Burns approximately 1,500 calories.
- Playing 5 times a week for an hour – Burns around 2,500 calories.
If you’re looking for a sport that allows you to incorporate both a healthy diet and strength training, pickleball is the right choice. This sport allows you to shed extra weight while keeping it fun and engaging.
Final Thoughts
So, how many calories do you burn in pickleball? Well, the answer depends on several factors. You need to understand the intensity level of the game.
Whether you wish to play singles or doubles, pickleball is the best way to keep up with your fitness regime.
If you’re looking to add a fun and effective workout to your routine, pickleball might be the perfect sport for you. This competitive game allows you to channel a competitive side while burning calories.
So, when are you planning to play pickleball?
