HEALTH WISE
Get Moving and Build Community with Pickleball
Pickleball might be one of the most inviting ways to add more movement, fresh air, and community to your life. With summer around the corner, meeting at a local court for a friendly game of pickleball is a great way to spend time with loved ones or build new friendships. This sport welcomes everyone, regardless of age or fitness level, and you don’ t need much equipment to get started. The court is smaller, the rules are simple, and most people can learn the basics in just a game or two.
What You Need to Get Started One of pickleball’ s biggest strengths is that it doesn’ t require a long or expensive gear list. To play, you need a pickleball paddle, a few plastic pickleball balls, access to a court, and a pair of supportive athletic shoes. Beginner paddles are often lightweight and have a large“ sweet spot,” which makes it easier to hit the ball and keep it in play. Many parks and community centers offer open-play times, and BetterLife members can organize casual games in their neighborhood to welcome new players.
A Sport on the Rise Pickleball has grown from a quiet backyard game to a popular sport across the US. Recent reports based on Sports & Fitness Industry Association data show that about 19.8 million Americans played pickleball in 2024, and mid-2025 estimates suggest that number has already climbed to around 22.7 million players. 1 That means millions of people are picking up a paddle, and pickleball continues to be recognized as one of America’ s fastest-growing sports.
Communities are keeping up with this growth by adding more play spaces. Cities and park
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