Pickleball has become popular over the past few years — and for good reason. It’s easy to pick up, low-impact and a good sport for socializing. Whether you’re just starting or building up your skills for more competitive play, the right gear can make all the difference.
To help cut through the noise, I spoke with Robert Dunn, pickleball leader at Life Time in Rochester Hills, Michigan, about what beginners should know, the health benefits of the game and essentials that are actually worth investing in.
Here’s everything you need to get started.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of several other sports, such as tennis, ping-pong and badminton. It’s played on a similar but smaller court as tennis. You can play in singles or doubles (though it’s typically played in doubles) and use a lightweight plastic ball with holes.
Pickleball games are quick and relatively low-impact, but they still offer plenty of cardio benefits and can also help boost balance and coordination.
Read more: Best Pickleball Paddles, According to Our Resident Pickleball Player
5 things every beginner should know, according to a pro
According to Dunn, these are the top five things every pickleball beginner should know before they start.
1. Prepare to fall in love. Pickleball is easy enough for everyone to have some level of success and to play competitive games within minutes. There is a sense of accomplishment in that first session, along with fun and a surprising amount of physical exertion. You will want more.
2. Don’t sweat the rules, but enjoy the sweat. Pickleball has some rules that seem odd at first and a system of scoring that seems like a puzzle. First-time players should just rally back and forth across the net and get used to the flight and bounce of the pickleball and making contact with the paddle. Tracking the ball, contacting the ball and sending the ball are fundamental skills that quickly develop. The challenge of keeping a rally going can be enjoyable and exerting and will prepare players for the next step.
3. A little help from your friends can go a long way. Pickleball rules can be confusing, so starting with friends is a great way to learn. No one gets it right the first time, so share the humor of the situation with others. Many people know someone who plays pickleball. And most pickleball lovers enjoy sharing their addiction with new players.
4. Pickleball starts as tennis and turns into ping-pong. Tennis players have a natural advantage in pickleball, but ping-pong players have a secret advantage. The first several shots in a point are typically groundstrokes, which seem like a tennis match, but the goal is to gain control of the net, where the shots are more similar to high-level table tennis. These two zones dictate the way pickleball is played.
5. Tap Paddles. The first and most important rule in pickleball — have fun. “If you can’t be nice and congratulate an opponent on a game, please find a different sport,” says Dunn. Pickleball is, above all else, social and fun. Pickleball is special because it has “open play” where strangers can just show up at a court, wait their turn and play in a game with others.
Potential health benefits of playing pickleball
Besides being a fun sport to play, pickleball can offer many health benefits, including:
Staying active
“I have dozens of players each year telling me that pickleball has saved their lives,” Dunn told me. He added that, for him, the most significant health benefit of pickleball is having a reason for being active. Dunn said that some players would not be getting any exercise had they not discovered pickleball.
Getting some cardio in
Pickleball is, surprisingly, a good cardio workout. “Fitness trackers are proof of the number of calories players burn playing pickleball,” says Dunn. “New players are constantly amazed when they see their step count and caloric burn at the end of a session.” When playing, you’re having too much fun to even consider that you’re working out. A 2022 study found that for adults over 50, more than 70% of their time playing pickleball was in moderate to vigorous heart rate zones.
Connecting with people in real life
Perhaps the least-discussed health benefit of pickleball is the social connection. Dunn told CNET that “particularly after COVID, so many people felt isolated.” He added that pickleball has become the “third place” for many who only had home, work or school. “A standing joke in the pickleball community is ‘How many contacts in your phone have the word pickleball in the name?’ This is why we do what we do at our club. Pickleball is our community,” said Dunn.
Working on your balance
There isn’t as much running in pickleball as with other sports, but there is constant repositioning, shifting of balance and sudden reactions to a ball hit from up close. According to Dunn, “This is particularly beneficial in developing youths and aging seniors.” These movements help build strength while working on stability.
Pickleball essentials to get started
I learned early on that the right gear doesn’t just make you look the part, it can actually help you play better and stay safe. To help you navigate the oceans of information about what you need to start playing, I’ve broken it down into two sections: what you need and what gear is just nice to have.
What you actually need to get started
- A quality beginner paddle: You can’t play pickleball without a paddle, and the wrong one can throw off your entire game. According to Dunn, pickleball paddle technology is advancing at an astonishing pace. “But most newer players should not invest in the latest technology until they have developed consistent enough ball contact to appreciate the difference between paddles and how they affect their game.”
- Supportive court shoes: Regular training or running shoes don’t offer enough side support. Shoes designed for pickleball typically have a wider toe box, which provides more support for side movements. Dunn said, “It is dangerous to play in running shoes, which are designed primarily for straight line motion and have elevated areas in the sole that reduce lateral stability. I wear Wilson Barricade and K-Swiss Hypercourt shoes.”
- Durable outdoor and indoor pickleballs: Not all pickleballs are created equal. Some are best for indoor play, while others are designed to withstand outdoor elements. If you play outside, you need balls that hold up on hard surfaces.
- Eye protection: While pickleball is not an aggressive sport, accidents can happen, and you want to stay safe. Dunn said, “Sure, it is just a whiffle ball, but it can travel 40mph. The greatest danger is the ‘friendly fire’ of ricochets off a player’s own paddle or a partner’s paddle. On outdoor courts, eye protection is second nature, as most players wear sunglasses. The trick is getting used to wearing eye protection indoors or outdoors.”
- Athletic apparel that allows you to move: You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe to play pickleball. Just ensure your clothes are comfortable, moisture-wicking and breathable, especially if you live in a warm area or like to play long games.
Pickleball gear that’s nice to have
The following items aren’t necessary to start playing, but may make things a bit smoother or are just fun. I’ve found some “fun to have” items that keep me enjoying my game and give me something to look forward to.
- Dedicated pickleball bag: When you start playing more often or carry multiple paddles, water bottles, towels or even a change of clothes, a good bag will help keep things organized.
- Portable pickleball net: Having your own net is a game-changer if you want a pickleball court anywhere you go. I like playing outdoors, but when the weather is nice, reserving courts where I live is difficult, as they book up quickly. Having my net allows me to set up in a playground, a driveway, a backyard or any open space.
- Prince x The Botanist “Dink-Tini” set: This pickleball set is just a favorite of mine. If you enjoy pickleball and martinis, you’ll love this set too. The set includes two paddles, a sleeve with three balls and a tote to carry everything. It also consists of a martini set with two martini glasses, a bottle of The Botanist and bar tools (one mixing glass, one bar spoon, one jigger and one strainer).
