{"id":847329,"date":"2025-05-10T21:12:28","date_gmt":"2025-05-11T02:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/10\/racquet-sports-101\/"},"modified":"2025-05-10T21:12:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T02:12:28","slug":"racquet-sports-101","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/10\/racquet-sports-101\/","title":{"rendered":"Racquet Sports 101"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

This article is part of Racquet Sport Nation\u2014a series of stories that explores the life-enhancing power of racquet sports, from tennis to pickleball to padel, today. Read the rest of the stories here<\/a>. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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TENNIS! PICKLEBALL! PADEL!<\/strong> Badminton! Racquetball Ping pong! Squash! There are so many racquet sports with varying levels of difficulty, benefits, and #vibes. Whether you\u2019re a newbie who’s ready to start playing a racquet sport or a seasoned player who’s considering adding a new one to the mix, use this expert-backed* guide to help you decide which sport is right for you. <\/p>\n

\n

\"tennis\"<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

TENNIS<\/h2>\n

THE BASICS:<\/strong> Played on a large rectangular court with a stringed racquet and a pressurized felt ball.<\/p>\n

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY<\/strong>:<\/strong> Physically difficult, mentally difficult<\/p>\n

WORKOUT TYPE:<\/strong> High intensity, high impact<\/p>\n

ACCESSIBILITY RATING*: <\/strong> A: Free or cheap courts are everywhere.<\/p>\n

BENEFITS:<\/strong> Improved cardiovascular health, agility, balance, and coordination.<\/p>\n

THE VIBE:<\/strong> A full-body workout disguised as play. Serious inquiries only. <\/p>\n

\n
\n

Best Tennis Racket for Beginners<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Hyper<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Tennis Shoes<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Gel-Resolution<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Asics Gel-Resolution X<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Tennis Racket for Beginners<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Babolat<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Babolat Babolat Boost S<\/h6>\n

Now 29% Off<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For more tennis gear, find our favorite tennis shoes here<\/a> and racquets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

\"breaker\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"badminton\"<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

BADMINTON<\/h2>\n

THE BASICS: <\/strong>Played on a small court using a racquet with an oval-shaped head, a high net, and a shuttlecock: a cone-shaped projectile.<\/p>\n

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: <\/strong>Physically moderate, mentally moderate<\/p>\n

WORKOUT TYPE: <\/strong>Moderate intensity, moderate impact <\/p>\n

ACCESSIBILITY RATING: <\/strong>A: Yard space + cheap net kit = success. <\/p>\n

BENEFITS: <\/strong>Birdie drops mean you need to change level positions quickly\u2014providing a stealthy cardio workout.<\/p>\n

THE VIBE:<\/strong> Backyard Olympics meets\u2026the actual Olympics!<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Best Badminton Racquet<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"AstroX<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Yonex AstroX 88D<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Practice Shuttlecock<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Mavis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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Yonex Mavis 300 Yellow Nylon Shuttlecocks (6)<\/h6>\n

Now 31% Off<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Best Portable Badminton Net<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\"Portable<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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Boulder Portable Badminton Net<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"breaker\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"ping<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

PING-PONG<\/h2>\n

THE BASICS: <\/strong>Also known as table tennis and played with a mini paddle and a small plastic ball on top of a stationary table.<\/p>\n

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY<\/strong>: <\/strong>Physically easy, mentally easy<\/strong> <\/p>\n

WORKOUT TYPE:<\/strong> Low intensity, low impact <\/p>\n

ACCESSIBILITY RATING: <\/strong>C: If you can\u2019t find a table, it will cost you a few hundred bucks to buy one.<\/p>\n

BENEFITS: <\/strong>Improved coordination without the higher physical demands of other racquet sports.<\/p>\n

THE VIBE:<\/strong> Your go-to cruise ship activity.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Best Ping Pong Paddle<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"JET<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Killerspin JET 200 Paddle<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Ping Pong Balls<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tournament<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Stiga Tournament Quality 3-Star Balls (24 Pack)<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Ping Pong Table<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Inside<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Joola Inside Professional MDF Indoor Table<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For more ping-pong gear, find our favorite ping-pong tables here<\/a> and paddles here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\n

\"breaker\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"pickleball\"<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

PICKLEBALL<\/h2>\n

THE BASICS: <\/strong>Played with a paddle and a hollow plastic ball with holes on a small court that\u2019s about a quarter the size of a tennis court.<\/p>\n

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY<\/strong>: <\/strong>Physically moderate, mentally moderate<\/strong> <\/p>\n

WORKOUT TYPE: <\/strong>Moderate intensity, moderate impact <\/p>\n

ACCESSIBILITY RATING: <\/strong>B: Courts are popping up everywhere, but you\u2019ll likely wait in line for them. <\/p>\n

BENEFITS: <\/strong>The social benefits reign supreme while still giving you a great workout.<\/p>\n

THE VIBE:<\/strong> \u201cIn da clurb<\/del> court, we all fam.\u201d (It\u2019s a meme. Contact your local teen.)<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Best Pickleball Paddle<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Selkirk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
SELKIRK SPORT Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air – Epic<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Best Pickleball Shoes<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Jet<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Babolat Jet Mach 3<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Pickleball Ball<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Franklin<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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Franklin Sports Franklin Sports X-40 Pickleball Balls, Bucket of 36 USAPA Approved Balls<\/h6>\n

Now 17% Off<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For more pickeball gear, find our favorite pickleball shoes here<\/a>, paddles here<\/a>, balls here<\/a>, shirts here<\/a>, and accessories here<\/a>. Then download our Ultimate Pickleball Workout Plan<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\n

\"breaker\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"racquetball\"<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

RACQUETBALL<\/h2>\n

THE BASICS: <\/strong>Instead of using a net, players bounce a rubber ball off the court\u2019s walls and ceiling using a narrow stringed racquet. <\/p>\n

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY<\/strong>: <\/strong>Physically difficult, mentally difficult<\/strong> <\/p>\n

WORKOUT TYPE: <\/strong>High intensity, high impact <\/p>\n

ACCESSIBILITY RATING: <\/strong>C: Declining popularity means new courts are hard to find. <\/p>\n

BENEFITS: <\/strong>With no wall off-limits, you\u2019ll develop keen spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.<\/p>\n

THE VIBE:<\/strong> Your dad\u2019s dad\u2019s favorite pastime.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Best Racquetball Racquet<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Intelligence<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Head Intelligence G.165<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Racquetball Ball<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Ultra-Blue<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Penn Ultra-Blue Racquetball (3 Ball Can)<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Shoe for Indoor Courts<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Motion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Head Motion Pro Pickleball Sneaker<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"breaker\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"squash\"<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

SQUASH<\/h2>\n

THE BASICS: <\/strong>Think racquetball but no ceiling play, and with a narrower racquet face, a longer racquet stem, a smaller rubber ball, and a smaller court. <\/p>\n

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY<\/strong>:<\/strong> Physically difficult, mentally difficult<\/strong><\/p>\n

WORKOUT TYPE: <\/strong>High intensity, high impact <\/p>\n

ACCESSIBILITY RATING: <\/strong>B: You might struggle to reserve the few courts in your area.<\/p>\n

BENEFITS: <\/strong>Focusing on \u201cdeception\u201d in your shots provides mental stimulation while you work up a sweat.<\/p>\n

THE VIBE:<\/strong> Nobody puts squash in the corner. It\u2019s coming for the LA28 Games.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Best Squash Racket<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Head Nano Ti 110 Squash Racket<\/h6>\n

Now 15% Off<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Best Squash Ball<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Progress<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Dunlop Progress Pack of 3 Balls<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Squash Shoes<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Gel-Rocket<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Asics Gel-Rocket 11<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"breaker\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"padel\"<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

PADEL<\/h2>\n

THE BASICS: <\/strong>Played on a small court enclosed by four glass walls, with a net and a rubber ball that\u2019s less bouncy than a tennis ball. <\/p>\n

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY<\/strong>:<\/strong> Physically moderate, mentally moderate <\/p>\n

WORKOUT TYPE: <\/strong>High intensity, high impact <\/p>\n

ACCESSIBILITY RATING: <\/strong>C: The sport is rapidly growing, but courts are available only in select locations.<\/p>\n

BENEFITS: <\/strong>The combo of net and wall will put your speed and agility to the test.<\/p>\n

THE VIBE:<\/strong> Pickleball\u2019s posh Gen Z cousin. <\/p>\n

\n
\n

Best Padel Racket<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Padel<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
WLSRW Padel Racket Carbon Fiber<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Best Padel Balls<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Pro<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Dunlop Pro Padel, 3-Ball can<\/h6>\n

Now 11% Off<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Best Court Shoes for Lateral Movement<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Zoom<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Nike Zoom GP Challenge 1<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

For more padel gear, find our favorite padel shoes here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

*A to F, with A = great and F = terrible. Equipment and court reservation fees will vary depending on the brands\/models purchased and the location. <\/p>\n

*We built this guide with the help of Alex Rebeiz, racquet sport expert and owner of Cascades Tennis<\/a> in Aspen, Colorado, and Dan Gottlieb, padel instructor and avid racquet sport player.<\/em><\/p>\n

This article originally appeared in the March\/April 2025 issue of <\/em>Men’s Health.<\/em><\/p>\n

Subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Want to learn more about how racquet sports can increase your healthspan and lifespan?<\/p>\n

READ MORE<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n

\"preview<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"Headshot<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cori Ritchey, C.S.C.S., is an Associate Health & Fitness Editor at Men’s Health, <\/em>a certified strength and condition coach, and group fitness instructor. She reports on topics regarding health, nutrition, mental health, fitness, sex, and relationships. You can find more of her work in HealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Elida Schroeder
Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This article is part of Racquet Sport Nation\u2014a series of stories that explores the life-enhancing power of racquet sports, from tennis to pickleball to padel, today. Read the rest of the stories here. TENNIS! PICKLEBALL! PADEL! Badminton! Racquetball Ping pong! Squash! There are so many racquet sports with varying levels of difficulty, benefits, and #vibes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":847330,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[143834,192],"tags":[143833,6810],"class_list":["post-847329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-racquet","category-sports","tag-racquet","tag-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=847329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/847329\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/847330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=847329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=847329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=847329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}