Forget nightclub workouts. Forget 26.2 miles. Forget laps around a convention center.
The very best workout of all time, according to tennis champ Andy Murray's former coach, is the one done on a rectangular court with nothing but a bat, a ball and a net.
"I promise you this: if you're a health fanatic, go play pickleball singles and tell me afterwards if that's not one of the best workouts you've ever had."
That's what Mark Petchey, himself a former British No. 1 tennis player, told me on a recent active-vacation in Sicily, Italy, with Neilson Holidays.
"It's the ultimate social sport," he explained.
"I've played against my wife's aunt and uncle, who are 75, and we've had a great hour-and-a-half. That's what sport should be. Not just about winning and losing."
For Petchey, the combination of social interaction, exercise and accessibility make pickleball the ultimate workout at any age.
"As a family of four, when we play games together, that's when we connect the best. We're in the moment. We're having a good time and interacting as you should be."
Unlike tennis, it's also very easy to learn.
"You can pick up pickleball in 15 minutes and it can be so complementary for your health," he said, adding that the short, sharp movements required to maintain a rally will challenge—and improve—your agility, mobility, cardio and mental dexterity.
"I promise you'll have one of the best workouts of all time."
An expert warm-up drill to prep for a game of pickleball
To make the most of this rapidly growing sport, Petchey recommends first taking a couple of minutes once on court to "improve your touch"—your hand-eye coordination and feel for the stroke—so you can sustain rallies and keep your body moving.
This warm-up drill is suitable for all levels and can even be used for other sports that require agility, dexterity and hand-eye coordination, he adds.
- Start in the rectangular box close to the pickleball net.
- Lightly tap the ball to your opponent on the other side of the net.
- They tap the ball up in the air before lightly hitting it back.
- You both continue repeating this sequence with every shot.
- Stay light on your feet, shuffling side to side while holding the racket in both hands in front of you to react to the ball.
- Build a rally for as long as you can, challenging both your forehand and backhand sides, and mental arithmetic to keep counting.
- Once this feels easy, both of you take a step back from the net and repeat the drill.
- Continue until you’re thoroughly warmed up and ready for a match.
