Are you a fan of pickleball and looking for ways to burn some extra calories while playing? If yes, then you’re in luck. Pickleball, a fast-paced game that combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, is an excellent sport for burning calories.
In this blog post, we will explore the number of calories burnt while playing pickleball, helping you stay fit while enjoying your favorite sport.
How Many Calories Is Burned While Playing Pickleball?
The number of calories burned while playing pickleball depends on several factors, such as age, weight, height, sex, and the intensity of the game.
According to studies, an average person can burn around 400 to 600 calories per hour while playing pickleball. However, the number of calories burned can be significantly higher if the game is more intense, and the player is putting in more effort.
To get a better idea of how many calories you’ll burn, consider your weight. A person who weighs around 150 pounds can burn 420 calories in an hour while playing pickleball. On the other hand, a person who weighs 200 pounds can burn around 560 calories in an hour.
This difference is due to the fact that the heavier the person, the more calories they burn while playing pickleball. Here’s a table showing estimated calories burned while playing pickleball based on body weight and duration:
| Body Weight | 30 mins | 60 mins | 90 mins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125 lbs | 150 | 300 | 450 |
| 150 lbs | 180 | 360 | 540 |
| 175 lbs | 210 | 420 | 630 |
| 200 lbs | 240 | 480 | 720 |
Please note that these values are approximate and can vary depending on factors like intensity, individual metabolism, and skill level.
Another factor that can affect the number of calories burnt while playing pickleball is the intensity of the game. A high-intensity game that involves a lot of running, jumping, and hitting can burn significantly more calories than a low-intensity game. Similarly, playing doubles can burn more calories than playing singles as it involves more movement across the court.
Additionally, the level of skill and experience can also impact the number of calories burned while playing pickleball. A skilled player who can maintain a high level of intensity and movement on the court will burn more calories than a beginner player who plays the game at a slower pace.
Can Playing Pickleball Help You Lose Weight?
Playing pickleball can certainly help you lose weight, as it is an engaging and fun way to burn calories and increase physical activity. This fast-paced sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, providing a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and agility.
When combined with a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine, regular pickleball sessions can contribute to weight loss by increasing your calorie expenditure. Additionally, pickleball is a social sport, which can provide motivation and accountability, making it easier to stick to your fitness goals and achieve sustainable weight loss.
Calorie Burning Sport: Pickleball is a fun and engaging way to burn calories, as it combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Regular sessions increase calorie expenditure, contributing to weight loss.
Full-Body Workout: This fast-paced sport provides a comprehensive workout that improves cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and agility, all essential components for shedding extra pounds.
Social and Motivating: The social nature of pickleball encourages motivation and accountability, making it easier to stick to your fitness goals and achieve sustainable weight loss when combined with a healthy diet.
Is Pickleball a High-Intensity Sport?
Pickleball’s intensity level varies depending on the players’ skill and fitness goals. While casual games can be more relaxed, competitive matches require quick reflexes and constant movement, making it an effective aerobic workout that elevates heart rate and improves cardiovascular health.
Additionally, pickleball emphasizes strategy and technique, offering a well-rounded experience that challenges both body and mind. So, pickleball can indeed be a high-intensity sport when played at advanced levels or with increased effort.
How to Burn More Calories with Pickleball?
To burn more calories while playing pickleball, you can incorporate the following tips and strategies:
- Increase intensity: Play at a faster pace, with quicker movements and more aggressive shots. This will elevate your heart rate and boost calorie burning.
- Longer play sessions: Extend the duration of your pickleball games or practice sessions to increase overall calorie expenditure.
- Focus on footwork: Improve your agility and footwork by incorporating lateral movements, sprints, and quick direction changes. This will engage more muscles and expend additional energy.
- Add interval training: Incorporate high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into your pickleball routine by alternating between periods of intense play and brief rest intervals. This can help increase your metabolic rate even after the game is over.
- Incorporate strength training: Strengthen your muscles through resistance training or bodyweight exercises. A stronger body will perform better on the court, leading to higher intensity games and more calories burned.
- Mix up your game: Challenge yourself by playing against different opponents or participating in doubles matches, which require more strategic play and teamwork, increasing overall exertion.
- Monitor your progress: Use a fitness tracker or smartwatch to keep track of your heart rate, steps, and calories burned during each session. This will help you gauge your efforts and adjust your play intensity accordingly.
Remember that consistency is key when it comes to burning calories and losing weight. Combine regular pickleball sessions with a balanced diet and a well-rounded fitness routine for optimal results.
Tennis vs Pickleball Which Burns More Calories?
Both tennis and pickleball are effective calorie-burning sports, but the number of calories burned depends on factors like intensity, duration, and individual fitness levels. Generally, tennis is considered a more intense sport due to its larger court size, faster-paced gameplay, and more powerful shots. As a result, tennis typically burns more calories compared to pickleball.
According to estimates from the Harvard Medical School, a 155-pound person will burn approximately 260 calories in 30 minutes of playing tennis, while the same person will burn around 150 calories during 30 minutes of playing pickleball. However, it’s essential to consider that individual experiences may vary, and both sports can be adjusted in intensity to meet personal fitness goals.
Ultimately, the best sport for burning calories is the one you enjoy most and can consistently participate in, as this will encourage long-term adherence to a fitness routine.
Conclusion:
Playing pickleball is a fun and effective way to stay fit and healthy. The number of calories burned while playing pickleball can vary based on various factors such as weight, intensity, skill, and experience.
However, on average, an individual can burn around 400 to 600 calories per hour while playing pickleball. So grab your paddle, head to the court, and start burning those calories!
