Pickleball, created in the US in 1965, boasts an impressive history of 59 years. Fast forward to last year, 2023, pickleball has become one of the rapidly growing sports in the United States and according to the Pickleball Participation Report by the 2023 APP Tour, it is estimated that there are total 36.5 million pickleball players nationwide! If you are a newbie of pickelball or even haven’t tried this sport before, here are 6 main reasons for why you need to give pickleball a shot and join this fast-developing community right away!

Pickleball is a sport suitable for all ages

Pickleball offers exciting opportunities for players of all ages. As a game played on a court that is one-third the size of a tennis court, pickleball requires less physical exertion and stamina. This makes it an ideal sport for senior players who can remain competitive and enjoy the thrill of the game without overexerting themselves. Moreover, pickleball's lower force requirement compared to some other explosive power sports like tennis or football gives children a perfect chance to engage in this sport alongside their family members and experience the joy of play together.

Despite the smaller court size and the low force need in giving shots, the light equipment is also a key element for making pickleball an accessible sport for everyone. The pickleball paddle, weighing typically from 6-14 ounces, is easy for people to hold and carry, so kids or seniors who have less grip and arm strength can effortlessly hold the paddles even in a long time play.

Pickleball is a remarkable sport that minimize the disparities caused by age differences and providing equal opportunities for all players to compete on the court.

Pickleball is easy to learn and play

From the perspective of rules and techniques, pickleball requires players to serve underhand, that said, pickleball is easier to learn and handle since making a good underhand serve needs more control rather than power when compared to overhead serve in many other racquet sports. Moreover, the smaller court size in pickleball offers a distinct advantage for beginners, allowing them to easily get a comprehensive view of the court without feeling overwhelmed from the get-go. This unique aspect enables newcomers to focus on honing the accuracy and speed of their hand, wrist, and forearm motions more right from the early stages of learning pickleball.

Playing pickleball is good for your health

Focusing on practicing agility and control, pickleball is great for daily workouts. From the constant footwork, frequent hand and arm moves in the game, pickleball can fulfill your daily exercise needs and even significantly strengthen your reflexes, body coordination and body balance from the day-to-day practices. In the meantime, playing pickleball can release a large amount of dopamine. This release not only enhances your mood during gameplay but also leaves you with a sense of long-term satisfaction and contentment off the court. So there is no doubt that this is a sport that can help you stay healthy both physically and mentally.

Pickleball is a fun and social sport

With pickleball becoming more and more popular, a wide variety of pickleball communities have emerged to bring people together and enjoy the fun of play. Many of the players meet new folks and find their pickleball partners in those communities, which encourages them to get out of their homes more often and be active in connecting with others. People anticipate each opportunity to engage with fellow players, forming meaningful connections that extend beyond the confines of the pickleball court. While building those positive connections, people are saved from a life of boredom and idleness especially in the post-COVID era, and fill themselves with joy and energy again.

Pickleball has substantial potential in development

Even though pickleball is not an Olympic sport at the moment, as it gains more and more popularity and attention worldwide these years, we believe it will be formally recognized by the Olympics in the near future. In 2023, pickleball has spread across 90 countries, and tons of players were attracted to this incredible sport. So there is a huge possibility that we can see pickleball standing on the Olympics stage one day, especially in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, US, in the country where this sport was first founded.

Pickleball is an affordable sport for everyone

When considering the cost, compared to other sports such as pickleball stands out as an incredibly affordable sport. A pickleball paddle is much cheaper than a tennis racquet and typically the cost will not exceed $200. Not only is it inexpensive feature, but pickleball is also easy to start playing, especially for beginners. All you need are two paddles, a few balls, and a court to play on. The pickleball gear for beginners is also budget-friendly. Take, for example, you can only pay $39.99 to get a beginner pickleball set which includes 2 paddles, 2 balls, and 1 pickleball bag from A11N. Furthermore, the ongoing costs of sustaining this sport are low. If you play pickleball purely for recreational purposes and you don’t have the need to upgrade your gear from time to time, then your monthly expense will be only the court rental fee.

Feeling inspired after reading all of this? It's time to break free from your routine and embrace the exhilarating world of pickleball! Take that first step out of your room and jump right into a game. This is a sport worth investing and it’s never too late to get into it. A11N aims at providing high-quality affordable pickleball gear for all pickleballers, so everyone can have an equal chance to enter the pickleball space, improve their skills and show their excellence on the courts. Join the A11N pickleball community and we hope to see your name on the list this year!