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Although it may seem like padel has only recently entered the mainstream sporting world, its journey has been a long time coming. Padel originated back in 1969 and has since become one of the fastest-growing sports globally. Today, over 25 million people in more than 90 countries play padel, according to the International Padel Federation (FIP).
Physical Benefits
Padel is a fun and social sport that offers numerous physical benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, muscle tone, increased physical activity, and enhanced coordination and reflexes.
Cardiovascular health is crucial for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Padel involves constant movement to position yourself for each shot, which, over the course of a match, adds up to significant exercise, helping to build cardiovascular endurance and overall heart health.
To be a good padel player, you need to return a large number of shots to win points. With walls playing a major role in the game and the court being relatively small, lunging, bending, and running are essential. These movements, performed repeatedly, help build muscle strength and tone, much like other sports and forms of exercise.
As a racket sport, padel requires good coordination to execute well-planned shots and react to challenging plays from your opponents. The ball can bounce unpredictably off the side and back walls, requiring quick reflexes to respond effectively.
Mental Benefits
It’s widely recognised that exercise has a significant impact on mental well-being, boosting mood, and overall happiness. Padel is an excellent way to incorporate physical activity into your weekly routine to support mental health. Engaging in enjoyable sports and activities, where you can build a sense of community, ensures that the mental benefits of exercise are sustainable and long-lasting.
Playing padel regularly can also enhance concentration and focus throughout the day. Exercise increases heart rate, which boosts blood flow to the body and brain, aiding in focus and mental clarity. The release of endorphins during and after a padel match can reduce stress and anxiety, giving you the energy to tackle the day ahead or complete important tasks you’ve been postponing.
Social Benefits
Padel can be played in singles format, but is most widely known as a team sport, with 2 pairs playing against each other. Besides improving your game and getting exercise, padel offers significant social benefits. It provides ample opportunities for community building, meeting new people, and forming meaningful friendships with like-minded individuals.
Padel is also simply fun! If you come from another racket sport like tennis or squash, you’ll find that your skills transfer well to this exciting new environment. Padel is very beginner-friendly, making it easy for newcomers to pick up and quickly develop their skills.
FAQs
Can I lose weight playing padel?
As a physical activity that burns calories, padel can contribute to weight loss, especially when combined with other healthy lifestyle choices. Introducing padel into your routine can boost your metabolism and promote muscle development.
How many calories does 1 hour of padel burn?
Playing one hour of padel can burn between 400-1000 calories depending on a variety of personal factors
Does padel burn more calories than tennis?
Padel and tennis are quite similar in terms of calories burned. In padel, all players, whether beginners or advanced, engage in constant movement, whereas beginner tennis players might move less due to shorter rallies until they become more skilled.
Is padel physically demanding?
Padel is a physically demanding sport that requires many small, quick movements, along with sharp reflexes and reactions.
Why is padel so addictive?
Padel is easy to learn, socially engaging, and challenging, yet inclusive, making it a sport that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy with ease.
Padel is a rapidly growing sport, gaining popularity daily due to its numerous positive effects. Whether physical, mental, or social, padel can have a profoundly positive impact on your life. We highly recommend giving it a try to experience the benefits of padel first hand!