Never Too Old to Start Playing Pickleball

It’s never too old to start playing pickleball as a health and fitness routine. Many studies show the benefits to seniors that were sedentary most of their lives and how, at an advanced age, they managed to improve on their health and fitness.

Al at age 79 started to play pickleball at ARC a year ago and he is now an excellent player. Bill started to play pickleball at age 80 four months ago and he is now a very good player. Jim is also 80 years old and he started to play pickleball last week and he is really enjoying it. He joked "Bill is a youngster, he is two days younger than me." Bill said “Exercise makes me feel great. It makes me feel young and energetic." Bill can jump up to hit a ball like a young man.

Research suggests that exercise and physical activity can help maintain or partly restore strength, flexibility, balance and endurance.

In fact, the benefits of physical activity - at any age - are so compelling that "Inactivity is life-limiting", it could be argued that a bigger threat to health and longevity is not exercising. I remember a friend and neighbour Mr. Blane who was 100 year old (unfortunately he passed away last year from a car accident), he was swimming 30 laps in ARC pool three times a week, he said "If you want to live a long time, keep exercising." At ARC's senior centre, a pool table's plaque is marked "In honor of Don Blane on his 100th birthday."