Pickleball isn't just a fun and addictive activity to play with friends or family -- it's also a great workout and even offers several mental health benefits.
 

These are the areas where the sport has the greatest impact:
 

HEART HEALTH: Older adults would need to play pickleball for 4½ hours per week to meet the standard physical activity recommendation of exercising at least 150 minutes at moderate intensity per week. Hitting that physical activity threshold is easier for pickleball players because the sport is so engaging, making it a great activity for improving the strength of the heart and respiratory system.
 

MUSCLE BUILDING: There is a ton of squatting, lunging and running involved in pickleball. That hits all of the major muscle groups in the legs -- calves, hamstrings, quads and glutes -- while swinging the paddle also activates the core and arms.
 

BONE HEALTH: Studies have shown that activities that involve jumping and changing direction are good for bone health because of the weight-bearing impact that occurs.