What Is Padel and Why Is It So Popular?
A look at the UK’s fastest-growing sport — and how to get started
If you’ve driven past a leisure centre or park lately and spotted glass-walled courts packed with people laughing, swinging, and sliding across the floor — you’ve probably just seen padel.
Once a little-known racket sport from Mexico, padel has become one of the world’s fastest-growing outdoor sports — mixing the precision of tennis, the pace of squash, and the energy of doubles play. And in the UK, it’s taken off like nowhere else in Europe.
It’s fun, social, and accessible to nearly everyone — whether you’re new to racket sports or looking for a reason to get active, feel good, and stay consistent.
What Exactly Is Padel?
Padel is a racket sport for two or four players, played on a smaller court than tennis (20 × 10 metres) and surrounded by glass or wire walls. Those walls aren’t just for show — they’re part of the game, much like squash.
Players use solid rackets (no strings) and a pressurised ball slightly smaller than a tennis ball. Scoring is the same as tennis, but rallies last longer because the ball stays in play after hitting the walls.
You serve underarm, communicate constantly with your partner, and rely on quick reactions rather than power. The sport’s inclusive design means that almost anyone can pick up a racket and start rallying within minutes.
A Quick History of Padel
Padel was invented in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico, by Enrique and Viviana Corcuera, who built the first enclosed court at their home. From there it spread to Spain and Argentina, where it became a national obsession.
By the 1990s, padel had gone professional, with tournaments across Latin America and Europe. The World Padel Tournow broadcasts matches to millions, and celebrities like David Beckham, Andy Murray, Serena Williams, and Zlatan Ibrahimović all play regularly.
In the UK, the sport’s popularity has skyrocketed since 2020 — helped by social media, indoor facilities, and the post-pandemic drive to get active for life through more social, less intimidating forms of exercise.
Why Is Padel So Popular?
There are plenty of reasons padel has become the go-to sport for everyone from casual players to elite athletes:
1. It’s easy to learn
The learning curve is gentle. Beginners can rally within ten minutes, and progress feels immediate. You don’t need years of technique like tennis — just timing, teamwork, and enthusiasm.
2. It’s naturally social
Padel is almost always played as doubles. That means teamwork, constant communication, and plenty of laughter. It’s perfect for outdoor sports for two people or small groups who want a quick, engaging workout.
3. It’s low-impact but high-intensity
Because the ball speed is slower than tennis and the court is smaller, padel is easier on the joints — but still gets your heart rate up. It’s ideal for those who want to get active strategy style training: consistent, moderate-to-vigorous activity that builds endurance over time.
4. It’s addictive
Rallies are fast and satisfying. Each shot demands quick reflexes, smart angles, and light movement. There’s even a “45-degree rule” — a coaching principle that helps players master angled shots off the glass for surprise returns.
5. It looks and feels modern
From the transparent glass walls to the bright padel clothing and premium courts popping up in city centres, padel just looks like the future of racket sports. It’s become the game of choice for those who love outdoor sports clothing brands and active streetwear culture.
The Fitness and Mental Health Benefits
Beyond the fun, padel is a powerful workout. Studies published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine show that racket sports can increase life expectancy by improving heart health, balance, and coordination.
Padel, in particular, combines aerobic and anaerobic movement — meaning it challenges both endurance and power.
You’ll improve:
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Cardiovascular fitness (especially when playing multiple games a week)
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Leg and core strength through constant lunges and directional changes
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Reflexes and coordination from wall rebounds
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Mental wellbeing, since exercise boosts dopamine and endorphins — that natural post-game high
Many players compare it to mindfulness in motion: for an hour, you forget everything else and focus purely on rhythm, reactions, and teamwork.
What You Need to Play Padel
Getting started doesn’t require much. Here’s the basic gear list:
Essential equipment
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Padel racket – solid surface, perforated for control
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Padel balls – slightly less pressurised than tennis balls
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Appropriate clothing – breathable outdoor sports jogging pants or men’s shorts for movement; padel T-shirts or lightweight training tops
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Court shoes – with good grip for indoor or outdoor surfaces
Optional extras
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Padel outfit for women – moisture-wicking tops and flexible skirts or leggings
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Sweatbands and caps for summer games
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Wrist supports if you’re new to racket sports
Fittux’s collection of outdoor sports gear and activewear pairs perfectly with padel — blending comfort and style for sessions that run from social games to serious training.
How to Play: The Basics
The rules are simple — making padel easy to pick up in one session:
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Teams of two: Padel is designed for doubles. You can play singles, but doubles brings out the strategy and movement the sport is known for.
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Underarm serve: The ball must bounce once before it’s hit below waist height into the diagonal service box.
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The walls are in play: You can use the glass or wire fence for rebounds, both when serving and returning.
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Scoring: Same as tennis — love, 15, 30, 40, deuce. First to six games wins a set.
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The 45-degree rule: In coaching terms, many pros teach players to angle their racket at roughly 45° on rebounds for optimal control and unpredictable returns.
It’s fast, strategic, and incredibly fun. And once you learn to use the walls, every match feels like solving a puzzle under pressure.
Where to Play Padel in the UK
Padel courts are now appearing across the UK — from purpose-built indoor arenas to community leisure centres.
The easiest way to find your nearest court is through TrustPadel’s UK padel club directory and map, which lists hundreds of venues nationwide. You can filter by location, surface, and court type — whether you’re looking for padel Finchley, padel Kettering, padel Doncaster, padel Wakefield, or padel North East.
Most clubs also offer coaching, social sessions, and equipment rental — so you can just show up, book a slot, and start playing.
How to Get Better Fast
Padel rewards those who show up consistently rather than those who rely on power. A few tips from coaches and pro players:
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Play twice a week – you’ll improve positioning, fitness, and teamwork much faster.
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Watch the walls – good players learn to predict rebounds, not chase them.
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Communicate constantly – talk between points; doubles is 50% conversation.
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Focus on placement – control beats power in padel.
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Get lessons early – a single session with a coach can fix habits that would take months to correct alone.
If you love progress, set a get active strategy goal like “10 sessions in 30 days” — you’ll feel sharper, stronger, and more confident.
The UK’s Padel Boom
Padel’s rise in the UK isn’t slowing down. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) reports that more than 400,000 people in Britain played padel in 2024, with Sport England data showing participation doubled from 23,000 to 51,000 adults in just one year — proof that the sport’s momentum is real. You can read the full update on the LTA’s official news page.
New outdoor and indoor clubs are appearing everywhere — from Finchley to Manchester, Cardiff, and Glasgow — while major fitness chains like David Lloyd, Virgin Active, and Better are installing courts in their clubs.
Even footballers are joining the movement. Stars from Manchester United and Arsenal are often spotted swapping the pitch for the padel court as part of their off-season training.
Padel Fashion and Culture
Padel has quickly developed its own style identity — a mix of functional outdoor sports clothing and street-ready design.
You’ll see players wearing slim padel T-shirts, outdoor sports men’s shorts, and bright compression layers designed for agility. Women often opt for padel outfits that combine stretch fabrics with performance skirts or leggings.
The look blends tennis elegance with gym practicality — clean lines, breathable fabrics, and confidence without fuss.
At Fittux, we see that as the essence of modern activewear: gear that performs outdoors, looks sharp indoors, and lasts through seasons of sport.
Why Padel Fits the “Get Active for Life” Movement
Public health experts often emphasise the need to get active and stay active — not through intense bursts, but through sustainable, enjoyable movement.
Padel ticks every box.
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It’s accessible for beginners.
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It’s sociable, keeping you motivated.
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It’s low impact, reducing injury risk.
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It’s scalable, from casual play to competitive leagues.
In a world of screen fatigue and solo gym routines, padel offers real connection — and a reason to move again.
The “Get Active Feel Good” message promoted by UK health campaigns could almost have been written for padel: stay consistent, have fun, and enjoy the process.
Outdoor Sports Gear for Padel Players
Whether you’re playing indoors or outside, wearing the right clothing helps you move freely and stay dry.
Fittux recommends:
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Lightweight outdoor sports clothing with moisture-control technology
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Stretch-fit jogging pants or shorts for warm-ups
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Breathable T-shirts or tank tops
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Compact hoodies for outdoor sessions
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Durable training shoes with stable soles
The goal is comfort, mobility, and confidence — so you can focus on your game, not your outfit.
The Fittux Take: Discipline, Discomfort, and Dopamine
At Fittux, we believe in doing the hard things that make you stronger — mentally and physically. Padel captures that perfectly.
You step onto the court unsure, miss a few shots, then slowly start to find your rhythm. Every rally builds confidence; every mistake teaches patience. You leave drenched, focused, and just a little addicted to that post-game dopamine rush.
That’s what it means to be unapologetically you — not chasing perfection, but showing up consistently and loving the process.
Final Thoughts
Padel isn’t just a passing trend — it’s a social sport that combines fun, fitness, and focus. Whether you’re in Finchley, Doncaster, Wakefield, or Cardiff, there’s a court waiting for you and a community ready to welcome you.
So grab a racket, bring a friend, and dive into the game that’s changing how Britain moves.
Because the best way to get active for life isn’t by overthinking it — it’s by starting.
If you find yourself making excuses or often feel too tired to try new sports, check out this article: Too Tired to Train? No Excuses. For some tips and methods to get back on track.
Free UK Delivery on all Fittux outdoor home gym clothing and nutrition — built for those who train, play, and live without compromise.