By LivePadel, July 2025 – 5 min read (but you’ll burn 1000 calories faster than that if you’re playing right, OK, it might take longer than that)

So you want to lose weight but can’t face another Spinning class led by a man who calls himself “The Wolf.” You’re tired of treadmill nihilism. Enter: padel – the racket sport that feels more like a night out than a workout, and yet somehow leaves you soaked in sweat, smug with satisfaction, and 1000 calories lighter.

Yes, you read that right. 500–1000 calories an hour, depending on how hard you go. Padel isn't just a TikTok trend—it’s a cardio killer dressed up in social clothes. Let’s unpack why it might be the most enjoyable way to get fit without hating your life.

Why Padel Works Even If You’re Not a Fitness Freak

Here’s what makes padel dangerously effective as a stealthy workout:

• Constant motion. Long rallies mean no slacking.
• Low injury risk. Smaller courts and softer surfaces = your knees live to fight another day.
• Social energy. It’s cardio disguised as catching up with mates.
• Mental trickery. You forget you’re working out… until your shirt is drenched and you can’t feel your thighs.

The Numbers Game: Padel vs Boring Cardio

Running burns calories like crazy but also destroys your knees and your will to live.
Gym workouts? Fine, if you enjoy staring at yourself in a mirror while a stranger grunts beside you.

Padel?

• Less impact than running
• More fun than gym monotony
• You’re not just sweating — you’re laughing while doing it

So, How Many Calories Are We Really Talking?

Padel vs. Squash:
Squash is like trying to survive a racquetball fight in a phone booth—yes, it torches 600–900 calories, but your lungs might not forgive you. Padel is less oxygen-murdery. It keeps your heart rate in the fat-burning sweet spot (140–160 bpm) without making you question your life choices.

Padel vs. Tennis:
Playing padel for an hour burns around 500 calories. Singles tennis might burn a bit more, but padel wins for sustainability and fun. The rallies are longer, there’s less time spent chasing wild balls, and it’s way more forgiving on the joints (and the ego).

It’s Not Just About Calories — It’s About Actually Sticking With It

Let’s be honest: the real problem with fitness isn’t the exercise. It’s doing it again tomorrow.

That’s where padel crushes it:

💬 Built-in social motivation

Doubles = accountability. You’re not skipping if your partner’s already booked the court and bought post-match beers.

💪 Full-body workout disguised as fun

You’ll accidentally train your glutes, core, back, shoulders and abs — just trying to return that cheeky drop shot. Bonus: better posture, faster metabolism, tighter everything.

🧠 Brain break + hormone hack

Padel is a dopamine machine. You get endorphins, serotonin, stress relief, and improved sleep—all without staring at a treadmill timer like it owes you money.

TL/DR – Padel Is The Chillest Way to Shred Fat

It’s not just another sport. Padel is cardio crack:

🔥 Burns up to 1000 cals/hour
🧠 Clears your head
🏋️♀️ Builds strength
👯♀️ Doubles as therapy with your mates

You’ll be having too much fun to notice you’re exercising. And that’s exactly the point.

Beginner or Beast Mode — Padel Fits All Sizes

New?
Cool. Show up, rent a racket, sweat it out. You don’t need to “get fit” first. Walk to the club, play 30 minutes, chat for 15, win life. Start slow and build endurance like a champ.

Experienced?
Crank up the fire with:

• Fitness drills between sets
• Jump squats and explosive lunges for court dominance
• Sprints + recovery to mimic real match energy

Ready to Ditch the Gym and Get Lean the Sneaky Way?

Book your next match on playtomic – the first platform built entirely for discovering courts, tournaments, and other padel obsessives around the world.