Am I too old to play pickleball?

Pickleball players average age is about 38 years old and approximately 21% are over the age of 55.

So if it’s the age you’re concerned about then, yes, pickleball can be played by anyone at any age. It is great exercise and has many health benefits and not all of them a physical ones.

Here’s a shocker:

As we get older we become more prone to illness, injuries and (most certainly) some type of chronic pain. This is the main reason why people either do not start playing pickleball or quit. And even if you enter the sport healthy, there are still a core set of common pickleball injuries.

It’s silly to say “see a doctor” or “get a complete physical before playing pickleball” – that’s just foolish! There are many reasons to just get out there and start playing – don’t be hesitant to start playing pickleball.

You know your body and what you can and cannot do. And this is at any age.

A 22 year old can have bad ankles and a torn meniscus. Should he/she start playing pickleball? We don’t think so… but only the individual knows best.

Certainly, if you have some of these “conditions” start off playing pickleball slowly.

You won’t just jump off the couch and start playing pickleball.

Chances are you keep hearing about it: friends bring it up casually, you see signs for court time at your gym, celebrities are investing in pickleball teams, tennis courts now have added lines for pickleball, you see ads online as you search for somethings, etc.

The point is… you will start slowing and show up with a friend one day at a pickleball court with your brand new beginner’s paddle. You’ll learn some of the unique rules and get into it a bit.

See also: Pickleball 2023 rule changes: what’s in store?

Your age will not slow you down one bit… you may be sore the next day from using muscles you haven’t used in a bit but chances are you, too, will ride the pickleball wave.