Why Pickleball Is the Perfect Sport for Busy Professionals

Part 1 – Why You Should Be Playing the Fastest Growing Sport in America

Do you play pickleball yet?
I’ll admit, I was NOT on the pickleball bandwagon until earlier this year. We checked out a new facility that had just opened (Mile Hi Pickleball) and have been playing ever since. We play with our friends, co-workers, families and whoever else is at the courts when we show up…AND WE’RE NOT EVEN THE COMPETITIVE TYPES when we play! We always take our paddles when we travel and make sure we have a court dialed in before we head out of town. It’s also one of our go-to Friday date nights…pickleball and eats afterwards. It never disappoints. There’s something about the energy, ease, and social vibe that just keeps pulling us back in.

And we’re not alone.
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, nearly 20 million people play regularly, and over 48 million have picked up a paddle in the last year. It’s not just a fad; it’s a full-on movement.

But why should you, a busy professional, care?

✅ 1. Quick Wins for Your Fitness

Pickleball packs a punch when it comes to physical benefits:

• Cardiovascular conditioning
• Joint-friendly movement
• Agility, balance, and coordination
• Light strength and endurance training
• Calorie burn and weight management

And here's the best part: most of that comes without you even realizing it. You're just…playing.

🧠 2. Mental Break You Actually Enjoy

In a 2022 study published in Science and Sports, people reported enjoying 30 minutes of pickleball 150% more than walking for the same amount of time. That’s a massive return on your investment.

More enjoyment = more consistency. More consistency = better physical and mental results.

You’re not just exercising. You’re disconnecting from stress, sharpening your focus, lifting your mood, and hitting the reset button. All in less time than your next Zoom meeting.

👥 3. Social Connection Without the Small Talk

Networking, laughter, competition, camaraderie - you’ll get it all. And the real bonus? You’ll interact with people across different age groups, professions, and experience levels. It’s social wellness in action.

The CDC reports that loneliness increases risk of depression, dementia, heart disease, and stroke. Pickleball flips the script, helping you stay healthy and connected.

🧩 4. It Fits Into Your Life, Not the Other Way Around

Pickleball thrives on flexibility:

• Show up when you can
• Play as casual or competitive as you like
• Learn the rules in 5 minutes
• Be part of a community that welcomes all fitness levels

There’s a reason so many professionals are making this a weekly ritual. It’s low-pressure, high-enjoyment, and adaptable to your schedule. When you choose something that feels like play, not work, your body and mind thank you for it.

🎯 Why Now’s the Time to Get in the Game

One of the biggest benefits of playing pickleball is autonomy. It is something people are choosing to participate in. You are more likely to stick with something and make it a habit if you choose it (versus something you feel you have to do – like "go on a diet"). That means that when you enjoy an activity, or it aligns with your sense of self, you will experience more wellness, well-being, and positive emotion. You are more likely to be consistent, which will improve your health and build lasting benefits. Self-directed actions, those which you decide on your own to do, will have a greater positive influence than those someone might recommend to you. That’s why pickleball works.

This is your sign to pick up a paddle.
Whether it’s to move your body, unwind after work, or simply reconnect with fun, you’ll walk away better than you arrived.

🔜 Coming This Fall: The Fit4Success Pickleball Training Program

We’re launching a 12-week “Pickleball for Busy Professionals” program to help you:

• Prevent injuries before they start
• Improve your movement and court performance
• Get fitter, stronger, and more agile (in just 30–45 minutes/day)

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll share practical ways to train for the sport and bulletproof your body.

Your Fit4Success Coach,

Eric Evans BS, CSCS, ACSM (Professional Member)