It’s the sport that’s sweeping the nation: pickleball!
A mix of badminton, ping-pong, and table tennis, pickleball was created in 1965 and has gradually gained popularity since then, in recent years becoming an all-out viral sensation.
Now pickleball is a household name, with millions playing world-wide. But why has pickleball become such a staple at recreation centers like the Monon Community Center (MCC), and what keeps players coming back day after day? I sat down with MCC pickleball instructor, John Young, to discuss the many benefits of pickleball.
Mental and Physical Exercise for Older Adults
Pickleball is fun for all ages, but it’s especially popular amongst older adults who can no longer enjoy more physically demanding sports. “You play pickleball with a partner, meaning you don’t have to cover as much ground during a match,” says Young. “Pickleball matches are also shorter than most sports, usually only lasting about 10-15 minutes, providing ample time for rest and water breaks.”
Pickleball is considered a low-impact exercise, putting less pressure on your joints and muscles while still providing a moderate aerobic workout. Plus, it’s a great workout for your brain, too. Keeping track of your score (it’s more complicated than you’d think) helps keep your mind active, while hitting and receiving the ball helps improve your hand-eye coordination.
Think you’re still too old to play? Well, you’d be wrong! The MCC’s oldest pickleball player is 90 years old, and he can still dominate on the court!
A Social Sport
Are you looking to meet new people? Well lucky for you, the MCC is known for its tight knit pickleball community! In fact, you literally can’t play pickleball alone – it’s a social sport! “When a lot of folks retire and they’re no longer going into the office each day, it becomes harder to form friendships,” says Young. “Pickleball gets people out of the house and talking to each other.”
Pickleball also won’t wear you out. Less physical exertion and smaller courts means it’s easy to strike up a conversation and get to know each other while you play. Friendly banter and inside jokes don’t just stop outside the court, though. Many players have met lifelong friends through pickleball, and some have even been coming to the MCC to play together for years.
Less Equipment = Less Hassle
Some sports require an insane amount of equipment to play, but pickleball only requires a paddle! Not ready to commit to purchasing your own? Don’t worry, we have loaner paddles and balls available at the front desk. (Psst, sometimes we give away pickleball paddles as prizes for our My Monon Rewards program! Learn more about this month’s challenges and prizes here.)
Every Kind of Class at Every Time of Day!
Interested in learning to play pickleball, or just playing more of it? Try one of our recreation programs taught by John Young – we have every type of class at every time of day.
Since pickleball is such a popular amenity at the MCC, classes fill up fast, so we recommend you sign up for the class you want as soon as registration opens. Click here to see when registration opens each season.
Pickleball is a fun, engaging sport for any age and skill set to enjoy. We hope to see you on the court soon!
