Caregiver stress is a constant refrain in conversations by and about caregivers. One of the highly recommended helps for it is often exercise. Finding time to squeeze in exercise can sometimes be difficult, and even if you can manage it, what do you do?
My favorite exercise is walking and I’m finding it easier to do now that I’ve started making phone calls to family and friends as I walk. But what if you hate walking? There’s always the treadmill or an exercise class or tennis. What’s that? Tennis is too hard on your arthritic knees? How about Pickleball?
Pickleball? You read that right. There is a hot not-so-new game out now called Pickleball. I, for one, had never heard about it until I noticed the article, Valley Seniors Bounce to New Type of Mini-tennis, in the Fresno Bee.
Apparently, it was created by U.S. Representative Joel Pritchard and some of his friends, and named after the Congressman’s family dog, Pickles, in 1965. Now there are thousands of senior citizens along with many in the Baby Boomer Generation who are enjoying this game’s competitive action, which is similar to tennis but much easier on the knees.
According to the article, you play on a smaller court, so “there is less running than in tennis and a premium is put on quick reactions, strategy and ball placement. Volleys sometimes last for minutes.”
Here’s a video of some seniors having fun in a tournament:
It sounds like it might be a bit more complicated than tennis, and it is not cheap. Amazon carries the pickleball paddles through their associates with prices ranging from $20-$35 along with 12 balls for $20, which looks like one of the best prices even with the shipping. I didn’t see them at Walmart or Target online. Amazon also carries the book, The Art of Pickleball
Other sites with information about this fun-looking game include:
I must admit, it really looks like fun. I love to play tennis, but it is getting harder and harder for me to keep up. I am going to have to keep my eyes open and see if I can find anyone in my area who is playing this. How about you? Have you already started? We’d love to hear about it. This definitely looks like a great way for some of us Sandwich Generation caregivers and grandparents to have fun, get healthy exercise, and burn off some of that caregiver stress. I bet our grandkids would have fun playing it with us as well!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
RT @SandwichINK Pickleball great for Sandwich Generation caregivers/grandparents to hv fun, exercise, burn off stress. http://cli.gs/NWEZm
You bet pickleball is a fun sport for all generations. I have so many people contact me so excited about having just played the game for the first time and becoming hooked. They want their own equipment right away.
It is now an official sport in many of the state Senior Olympic Games and the first National Tournament will be held later this year.
David
http://www.pickleballcentral.com
Hi David. VERY INTERESTING extra info! Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to try it, though will have to for a few months at least. 
Slowly but surely though… 
I’m a part of a large and loving four generation family. And FIVE new babies are due between now and next spring. Five FANTASTIC new reasons to exercise and make healthy lifestyle choices. Pickleball is a wonderful addition to my physical fitness routine. It’s a great stress-buster. The smaller court and shorter games make it a wonderful social fitness activity too. Most of us laugh a lot, have a great time and go home refreshed and ready for ‘what’s next’…USAPA sidebar lists the “PLACES TO PLAY”. Look for a place to play pickleball in your area and treat yourself to a game…”just for the FUN of it!”
How FUN! Congratulations, Janet! And thank you so much for sharing all this info about Pickleball. I was just talking about it to my senior mom yesterday. Thanks for letting us know about the Place To Play. I’m going to head over there right now!