How Many Calories Do You Burn Playing Pickleball

Pickleball has been gaining popularity across the globe and for a good reason!

This exciting sport is not only fun and engaging but also offers numerous health benefits, including burning calories and helping with weight loss.

In this blog post, I’ll talk about how many calories you can burn while playing pickleball and what factors affect calorie expenditure during the game.

How Many Calories Do You Burn Playing Pickleball?

The number of calories burned while playing pickleball depends on several factors such as intensity, weight, and duration of the game.

According to estimates from the Racquet Sports Center, a 160-pound person can burn around 500 calories per hour, while a 200-pound person can burn approximately 700 calories per hour during a typical pickleball game.

Playing harder can increase calorie expenditure, with a 160-pound person potentially burning up to 700 calories and a 200-pound person up to 900 calories per hour.

Factors Affecting Calories Burned

1. Weight: The more you weigh, the more calories you’ll burn during a workout. This is because it takes more energy to move a heavier body compared to a lighter one.
2. Body Composition: People with a higher lean body mass (muscle, water, and minerals) have a higher resting metabolic rate, meaning they burn more calories during exercise.
3. Intensity: Playing with more intensity and pushing yourself harder during the game can help you burn more calories.
4. Duration: Longer games and more extended sessions can increase the number of calories burned during play.
5. Singles vs. Doubles: Playing singles matches burns approximately 25% more calories than playing doubles matches.

How to Calculate Calories Burned Playing Pickleball

The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) is a figure used to estimate calorie expenditure during physical activities.

While pickleball isn’t included in the 2011 Compendium of Activities, a study published in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology measured METs in pickleball players and found an average MET value of 4.1, ranging from 1.5 to 7.7. However, considering all age ranges, a more accurate MET value for pickleball is estimated to be around 6.5.

To calculate calories burned per minute using the MET value, use the following formula:

6.5 x 3.5 x (your body weight in kilograms) / 200 = calories burned per minute

Weight Loss and Other Health Benefits of Playing Pickleball

Pickleball can contribute to weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and a caloric deficit. A caloric deficit of 3,500 calories is required to lose one pound.

Consistently playing pickleball can help achieve this deficit while also providing additional health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart attack, as well as better mood and social connections.

Tips to Burn More Calories Playing Pickleball

1. Play longer games or increase the number of games per session.
2. Develop a regular pickleball routine and stick to it.
3. Play more intense matches and challenge yourself to improve.
4. Consider wearing a weighted vest to increase calorie burn.
5. Use a fitness tracker to monitor your calorie expenditure during play.

That’s it for today

The calories burned while playing pickleball vary depending on factors like intensity, weight, and duration of the game. Your pickleball sessions will become more effective in burning calories and providing overall health benefits.

So, grab your paddle and hit the court for some fun, calorie-burning action!