This is the healthiest sport in the world

Healthy, healthy, well, that’s of course debatable. Exercising is definitely super good for you. But if you add up all the aspects, one sport really stands out with both head and ball. It is… padel. And here’s why.

Padel is incredibly fun – and that’s really where it all starts. Besides being a great workout, it’s also the perfect social activity.

For a few years now, so many Dutch people have become fans of padel. Last year, over 350,000 people played a game every month. That’s an 18% growth in one year! And the courts are popping up just as fast. Worldwide, it’s even the fastest-growing sport at the moment.

But besides being wildly popular, padel is also extremely healthy. When you look at the mix of longer life, a fit body, a sharp brain, and social fun, no other sport scores this high.

1. Padel is insanely addictive fun (and very accessible)
Thanks to the smaller court, the glass walls, and the underhand stroke, you quickly get long rallies. And that’s so much fun. The technique is really simpler than tennis, and the game is much more dynamic. The best part: you are allowed to use the glass back wall. That makes padel feel like a perfect mix of tennis and squash. It’s fast, playful, and strategic. No wonder it seems like everyone is playing padel now.

2. Hard facts: racket sport players really live longer
Several studies show that people who play racket sports have a 47% lower chance of premature death compared to non-athletes. A Danish study even mentions an average gain of 9.7 years of life for those who regularly play tennis, squash, or padel.

3. A full-body workout without wrecking your joints
During matches, padel players reach about 40-50% of their maximum oxygen uptake and heart rate zones equivalent to a solid HIIT session, but with less impact than running. Also, playing on cushioned artificial turf greatly reduces injuries, and the smaller court means much less strain on your knees and ankles than many other ball sports.

4. Mega workout for your brain
Yes, I definitely needed this too. Every ball exchange demands split-second decisions, positioning (one player mostly stays back, the other near the net), and of course communication with your partner (“Will you take this ball or me?”). Research links racket sports to better memory, cognitive sharpness, and stress reduction. Padel is basically chess, sprinting, and social talk all in one.

5. Super social is super healthy
You play padel about 99% of the time in doubles, which automatically boosts your social circle (and maybe eventually your circle of friends). Because everyone brings more people for a padel game. Group chats grow rapidly. This social aspect, this connectedness, is a proven ‘blue zone factor’ for a happier, longer, more sociable, fitter, and more joyful life.

6. Comparison: padel vs. other sports
Compared to other sports, padel scores high in cardio, muscle training, cognitive benefits, and low injury risk. More than running, football, or cycling, for example. Hence the title ‘healthiest sport in the world.’

Bottom line
So. What are you waiting for? If I can do it, really anyone can. This sport is so fun, indoors or outdoors. The perfect outing for friends or couples. And for young and old alike, it’s really accessible.