Life Time Fitness is going all-in on pickleball—and we mean all in.

According to CNBC, they’ve dropped a casual $50 to $100 million into the sport, and now about 7% of their membership dues are coming from—yep, you guessed it—pickleball!

And they’re not stopping there. They’ve teamed up with tennis legend Andre Agassi and pickleball superstar Ben Johns to grow the sport even more.

So… should country clubs be shaking in their shoes?

Absolutely. Life Time is aiming for 1,000 pickleball courts by 2025, and with their all-inclusive “athletic country club” vibe, they’re giving traditional clubs a serious run for their money.

Life Time is creating the Ultimate Pickleball too…

Only available at Life Time clubs for now, their new patent pending ball is designed to improve consistency of bounce, speed, and durability. And if they’re dropping millions on innovative ball technology, you’ll eventually see this ball flying around the courts a lot more often.

What does this mean for pro tours like MLP and PPA?

Life Time’s goal is to be a premier event host for leagues like MLP and PPA. It should have a positive impact on the sport, but you can bet they’ll be nudging these tours to use their fancy new ball.

Bottom line: Life Time’s pickleball takeover is a win for all of us. More courts, bigger events, & better balls (hopefully).

Pickleball coach and host of the Why I Hate & Love Pickleball podcast, Bill Wong, sat down with Dr. Erik Korem to explore cutting edge sports science and mental performance on the pickleball court.

Key Takeaways:

• How athlete tracking technology revolutionized sports science.

• Feeling nervous before a big match? Even world champs feel fear and anxiety! It’s normal when the stakes are high and outcomes are uncertain.

• “Mental Fitness” is all about staying present and processing information without letting emotions or biases get in the way.

• Get practical tips on improving your mental fitness with breathwork and mindfulness techniques.

Did You Know?

You burn over 600 calories per hour playing a Pickleball match!

Yes, you read that right. That’s as many cal/min as you’d burn running a 10k, playing a basketball game, or surviving one of those brutal HIIT classes.

It’s can be a vigorous (and fun) workout, but it also means an intense match requires these three habits.

1. A pre and post match hydration and nutrition strategy to fuel your body and mind.

2. An off-court training plan to build strength and endurance

3. A good night’s sleep to promote a full mental and physical recovery

Most back injuries in Pickleball happen when reaching for a ball at your feet.

Without a proper warm up to activate your muscles and joints, the first ball you reach for could be your last…

Try these two warm-up exercises before you play to keep yourself off the injury list.

1. Cossack Squat

2. Knee Hug + Lunge + Lean Back