Why Pickleball Might Be the Perfect Midlife Sport

If you haven't tried pickleball yet, this is your sign.

I didn't exactly set out to become a pickleball person. But somewhere along the way, it went from "that funny little sport everyone over 50 seems to be playing" to one of my favorite ways to exercise, socialize, and have fun. And I think it might genuinely be one of the best sports for women in midlife. It's active without feeling like punishment, social without requiring a fancy dinner reservation, and competitive without having to be an elite athlete. Turns out your 50s aren't the time to slow down. They're the time to try something new. When I decided to "retire" (in quotes because I got sucked back into working part time), "LEARN PICKLEBALL" was at the top of my to-do list. I grew up as a tennis and squash player so it just seemed like a natural next step. That being said, I hadn't picked up any type of racquet in over 25 years so it was still a bit of a leap of faith!

So, Why Pickleball?

For starters, it's fun, which sounds almost too simple, but I think it's actually the biggest reason the sport has exploded. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, 24.3 million Americans played pickleball in 2025, up from just 4.2 million in 2020, and women now account for nearly 43% of players. So no, it's not just you seeing courts popping up everywhere. We're in the middle of a real pickleball moment, and I get why.

1. You Get a Workout Without Feeling Like You're Working Out

Pickleball gets you moving: walking, lunging, reaching, changing direction, reacting to the ball, and (if you're anything like me) occasionally diving for a shot that absolutely did not require a dive. It's cardio, coordination, balance, and agility, all rolled into one. But unlike a treadmill, where you're watching the clock wondering how only seven minutes have passed, pickleball has a built-in distraction: you're trying to win. Two hours disappear before you notice. That's my kind of workout.

2. It's Social

This might actually be my favorite part. You can play with friends, join an open-play group, take a clinic, sign up for a league, or meet completely new people, and because you're generally playing doubles, there's a social component built right into the game. It doesn't feel like going to the gym alone. It feels like meeting your friends. In midlife, when friendships take more effort to maintain because everyone's juggling busy lives, having something on the calendar that gets you moving and gets you together is a pretty great combination. I certainly did not start playing pickleball to make new friends, but more than once, I have commented that these are the new friends I never knew I needed. It's been a really fun mid life surprise!

3. You Don't Have to Be 25 to Start

You don't need a tennis background. You don't need to already be coordinated. You definitely don't need to know what a dink, a third-shot drop, or a kitchen violation is before you walk onto the court. You can learn all of that. There's something refreshing about being a beginner again. Adulthood mostly asks us to already be good at things; pickleball gives you permission to be bad at something for a while, and then to watch yourself get better. That little progression is surprisingly addictive. I would say that at least half of the women I play with had never touched a racquet before, and trust me, they are just as strong as the former college tennis players!

4. It Has Just Enough Competition

I'm competitive, not I-need-to-win-everything-or-I-will-cry competitive, but let's just say I'd prefer we win. 😂 Pickleball gives you just enough competition to make it exciting without taking itself too seriously. One minute you're chatting with your partner about dinner plans, and the next you're yelling "MINE!" while sprinting toward a tiny yellow ball. It's humbling, it's hilarious, and it's fun.

5. You Can Make It as Luxe (or as Casual) as You Want

Now we're getting into my favorite territory. You don't need a bunch of stuff to play pickleball, but there's something to be said for having gear you actually like: a cute bag, a good paddle, comfortable court shoes, a visor, a water bottle, maybe a cute outfit. Suddenly it's not just a sport. It's a lifestyle. And if you're going to spend several hours a week doing something, you might as well enjoy the equipment too.

My Pickleball Essentials

Here's what I think is actually worth investing in if you're going to become a regular player:

A good paddle. You don't need the most expensive paddle on the market when you're starting out. I'd recommend trying a few before spending a fortune. I started with a very cheap one my dad gifted me, until my Pickleball 101 teacher told me it was time to graduate to a "big girl paddle."

Court shoes. This is one place I wouldn't try to save money. Pickleball involves a lot of lateral movement and quick stops and starts, so you want a shoe built for court sports, not your favorite running shoes. I've tried two I really like, for different reasons: the Skechers, made with Goodyear rubber lasted forever (and I linked the hot pink ones that I had!), and the K-Swiss are lighter and airier.

A pickleball bag. Technically you can throw your paddle and balls into any old tote. But once you start carrying extra balls, sunscreen, water, a towel, and sunglasses, you'll appreciate having a dedicated bag. Here are a few that I really like: all very different styles

Tote: this is the style I use most often

Backpack: super easy to carry, and I like the light pink

Everything Bag!: you will look like a pro when you walk onto the court with this one. I do love that it has the thermal lined compartment…I live in TX and it gets hot out there on the courts and it's nice to have a place for your mid-game snack.

Plenty of balls. Because somehow you can never find the one you were just using. Make sure to grab a huge marker and write your name or initials on each ball so that you manage to go home with the same number of balls you arrived with! These are the balls that are approved for the league I play in.

A cute visor or hat. We're protecting our faces from the sun and trying to look cute while we do it. My hat collection has grown exponentially since I started playing. I LOVE these hats because they are stretchy and very lightweight, and I have them in every color of the rainbow. Pickleball can be about fashion also!!!

Eye protection, inside AND out. I don't play without eyewear anymore. Last summer a friend got hit in the eye at open play and almost detached her retina. I love pickleball, but that is not an injury I'm willing to risk! Outside, I wear goodr sunglasses, because when you're playing in the sun, you definitely need sunglasses. They're lightweight, and they don't slip even when I get super sweaty in the Texas heat. Inside, I switch to these clear anti-fog safety glasses, because that ball comes just as fast indoors. And the pink arms make them a little cuter than your average safety glasses!

Since I just mentioned that pickleball can also be about fashion. You definitely need a plethora of skirts: one in every color! These are my favorites. They have great built-in shorts that aren't too thin or too thick. They give a good amount of support and like the hats above, are available in any color your new team might be pondering as team colors!

Want something a little more luxe? Try this lululemon A-Line Side-Pleat Tennis Skirt. The side pleat gives it a little swing, and it comes in lots of colors. The Sapphire Sprint blue is so pretty!

Matching or just plain fun tops. Here are a few of my favorites.

Beyond the Court

If you have a friend who's suddenly started saying things like "I have open play at 9" and "I'm playing in a 3.5 league Thursday," you know what to get her: a cute pickleball bag, paddle accessories, a new visor, or a fun pickleball-themed gift. It'll probably be a bigger hit than another candle (unless it's a pickleball candle). Trust me. Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas.

Cooling towels, fun candle, insulated tumbler, pouches, custom name tags

And for the pickleball girl who has everything: pickleball pajamas! These bamboo pajamas from Kyte Living are unbelievably soft, and the pickleball print is just too cute. I may be dropping a few hints to my husband about these myself!

A Few Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started

Don't take it too seriously. There will be games where you feel like a pro, and games where you wonder if you've ever actually played this sport before. Both are normal.

Take a lesson. If you're new, a beginner clinic or a couple of private lessons can make a huge difference. Learning the basics correctly will save you a lot of frustration later.

Warm up. This matters more as we get older. Your body may not appreciate being asked to go from sitting in the car to sprinting across a court in about fourteen seconds. Ask me how I know.

Don't ignore little aches and pains. Pickleball is fun, but it's still a sport, and your shoulders, elbows, knees, and Achilles tendons will occasionally remind you of that. Listen to your body, and maybe don't play five days in a row just because you can. I have learned THAT lesson the hard way! But my aches and pains are TOTALLY worth it!

The Best Part of Pickleball Has Nothing to Do With Pickleball

For me, this is really the point. Midlife is a strange and wonderful stage of life. Our kids are older. Our careers may look different. We have more freedom in some ways and completely different responsibilities in others. It's easy to slide into thinking the exciting, active years are behind us. They aren't. We just have to go find the thing that makes us feel that way again.

For me, that's turned out to be pickleball: the exercise, the friendship, the laughter, the occasional completely unnecessary new paddle purchase because this one might really improve my game. And it's a good reminder that getting older doesn't mean getting boring.

So if you've been thinking about trying pickleball, grab a paddle and go. Find a beginner clinic. Call a friend. Rent a court. And prepare to become slightly obsessed.

I'll see you at (but not in!) the kitchen.

—Kim