Ways Pickleball Benefits Weight Management

Pickleball is more than just a fun activity to play with friends. It’s a game similar to tennis, making it a great exercise in addition to fun. It’s not quite as aggressive as tennis because it involves a small paddle with a plastic ball rather than a heavy tennis ball. While individuals might not run as vigorously around a pickleball court as they do a tennis court, the concept is very similar and the exercise is great. The body benefits significantly from the kind of physical activity individuals get when playing this sport, which makes it one of the best exercises for individuals looking to lose excess weight and maintain a healthy weight. Learn precisely how pickleball benefits weight management now.

Exercises All Major Muscles

Pickleball exercises all major muscles in the body from the legs to the arms. It may not as intense as the kind of exercise individuals can get when playing football or soccer, but it’s just as physical in terms of exercise. Players can still injure their body, so there are a few precautions individuals should take when playing pickleball as a way of losing weight. Since this type of game involves using all major muscles, it is imperative for individuals to spend some time stretching before they begin playing. A solid five minutes spent stretching the arms, legs, back, and other muscles can help individuals loosen their body, warm their muscles, and reduce their risk of injury as a result. After all, individuals can’t play pickleball to lose weight if they injure their body during the game.

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Acts As A Great Cardio Workout

Cardio, which is incredibly effective at burning calories and fat, is any type of exercise that increases an individual's heart rate and causes them to sweat. So while technically some forms of strength training can also classify as cardio, individuals are typically referring to things like running, boxing, jumping jacks, soccer, and, yes, pickleball, when they talk about cardio exercise. One of the biggest benefits of pickleball as cardio is on the lungs. An individual's lung capacity increases the more they play, which means they will find it’s much easier to breathe. This helps individuals reduce their risk of serious health problems too, such as heart attacks and diabetes.

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Works As Interval Training

In addition to cardio, pickleball also works as interval training. It’s a well-rounded sport that allows players to work at different speeds. There are times when players are working harder than ever, and there are times when they are not working nearly as hard. The mixture of high-intensity and low-intensity during a game is great for the body. Why interval training works so well in weight loss is because it blasts fat and burns calories in a very short amount of time. It works the muscles as well as burns calories, which is one of the most effective ways to lose weight. High-intensity interval training workouts are very popular at the moment, and playing pickleball is one way for individuals to make sure they are involving some interval training in their everyday workout. Not everyone is able to go to the gym and work out using weights, equipment, and traditional exercise. It’s hard, boring, and sometimes painful. Pickleball is a great alternative because playing a sport is enjoyable enough that it rarely ever feels like exercise, even though it is. It removes some of the monotony of working out by making it more fun, which is incredibly crucial for weight loss, since exercise being enjoyable makes individuals keep going back for more.

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Improves Mobility And Agility

Playing pickleball improves mobility and agility. This is great for individuals who have some mobility or agility issues in the first place. For example, someone who is a little bit older might find it’s more difficult to move as well as they once did. Practicing pickleball is fun, so they might not notice they are moving more, using more energy, or even becoming more agile as they go. When mobility and agility improve, it benefits individuals across all walks of life. The body becomes stronger physically in terms of both strength and health. Individuals are less likely to become ill and experience trouble sleeping. There are also mental benefits, including increased mood and reduced stress and anxiety. This all works together to create a stronger, healthier body that can burn more calories.

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Builds Lean Muscle

Playing pickleball builds lean muscle, which is important for not only weight loss, but also an individual's overall health. When the body builds lean muscle, it’s able to burn more calories because the individual's metabolism speeds up. This also helps the body process food faster without making the individual gain weight. One of the biggest issues with dieting is it relies on restricting calories. When individuals do this, they are not always doing their body a favor. In fact, calorie restriction alone can actually slow down an individual's metabolism and cause their body to burn fewer calories. When building lean muscle playing sports, however, individuals do the exact opposite, which is why pickleball is quite helpful in this manner.