Padel: The Hottest Sport Among Gen Z and Expats

In recent months, padel has been taking over social feeds among Gen Z and expatriates. Even top Indonesian celebrities have started making padel one of their favorite activities. This popularity certainly does not come without reason. Besides being fun and easy to play, padel also offers numerous health benefits for the body.

What’s interesting is that padel can be played by anyone, whether beginners or those with more experience, because the basic techniques of this sport are relatively easy to master. So, would you like to learn more about padel, its history, and the reasons behind its rising popularity? Let’s take a closer look at this article!

Getting to Know Padel

Padel mixes the excitement of squash with the thrill of tennis. However, unlike tennis, padel is way easier to play, which is why it’s perfect for beginners and pros, from young to adults.

According to Detik, padel is usually played in doubles, two versus two players, on a cozy enclosed court. Generally, when playing padel, you will need several pieces of equipment such as a net, balls, and rackets. As for the gameplay, the match is played in three sets, with the scoring system of 15, 30, 40, and deuce (if the score is tied), just like in tennis, making it super simple!

Also Read: Running Exercise: Benefits and Routes You Can Try

The History of Padel

According to the International Padel Federation (FIP), as quoted by Detik, padel has actually existed since the 1960s. At that time, padel was first introduced by Enrique Corcuera, a tennis enthusiast who wanted to build a tennis court in his own home.

However, because his house was too small to accommodate a full-sized tennis court, Enrique decided to build a mini version of it, enclosed by three-meter-high walls. Over time, Enrique’s wife created a set of rules for playing padel. From there, padel began to spread to different parts of the world, and eventually, the International Padel Federation (FIP) was established in 1991.

The Benefits of Playing Padel

Just like any other sport, padel offers a wide range of health benefits, including:

• Get energized and fit: The body feels more energized and fit because padel involves various movements such as hitting the ball, jumping, and changing direction very quickly.

• Better balance: It helps train body balance and motor coordination skills, which in turn reduces the risk of injury and improves control over body movements during daily activities. 

•  Burn calories while having fun: It is effective in burning calories and boosting metabolism, making it easier to lose weight. This sport is particularly suitable for those who are overweight. 

• Stress relief: It helps reduce stress because when playing padel, the body releases endorphins, natural chemicals that help relieve stress and improve mood.

• Boost your immunity: When the body stays active, immune cells function more effectively to fight diseases and improve blood circulation. Therefore, playing padel can help strengthen your immune system.

Also Read: Want a Healthier Life Start with These 4 Exercises!

Tips for Playing Padel

Even though padel looks easy to play, there are still a few things you should pay attention to, such as:

• Always warm up before exercising.

• Wear comfortable, sweat-absorbing clothing.

• Proper shoes are a must and apply sunscreen if playing outdoors.

• Stay hydrated to prevent dehydration and maintain stamina.

Although this sport is beginner-friendly, it still requires good physical condition to play safely. If you are currently experiencing an injury, such as in your knees, shoulders, elbows, or hands, it’s best to postpone playing padel for a while, as it may worsen your condition.

That was a brief overview of padel, its history, benefits, and more. So, what do you think? Are you interested in trying out padel? To make your sports activities even safer and more at ease Sport Accident Insurance protects you from injuries, so you can focus on the fun. 

This insurance provides coverage against bodily injuries that may occur while you’re exercising, including injuries that require physiotherapy or treatment from a sports doctor. However, this insurance does not cover official national or international competitions. 

Let's start playing padel today and protect yourself with Sport Insurance from MSIG Indonesia!