6 min read

Never played padel? Then you’re in good company. But that won’t last long. The sport from Spain has built more indoor courts in Germany in three years than squash did in three decades. Padel is tennis for people who don’t want to spend three years perfecting their forehand before they start having fun. After just 20 minutes you’re already rallying like a pro. And after an hour you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.

What sets padel apart from tennis

Padel is always played in doubles—2 vs. 2 on a court just 20 by 10 metres. That’s one-third the size of a tennis court. Glass and metal-mesh walls form part of the playing area; the ball may rebound off them and stay in play. This makes padel more tactical than tennis: you’re not only playing against your opponents, but also with the space. The paddle has no strings; instead, it features a perforated carbon or fibreglass face. Shorter and lighter than a tennis racket, it comes with a wrist strap. The ball resembles a tennis ball but is slightly less pressurised. Serves are underhand, never overhead, slashing the entry barrier: you don’t need a powerful serve to get started. Scoring is identical to tennis—15, 30, 40, game, advantage, tie-break. If you know tennis, you know the rules instantly. If you don’t, you’ll learn them in five minutes.  

Why padel is exploding in Germany

In Spain, anywhere from 3.5 to 6 million people play padel, making it the country’s second-most popular sport after football. Sweden has seen padel surge since the late 2010s as the fastest-growing sport. Now Germany is catching up. Infrastructure is expanding at breakneck speed. Operators like Padelbox, Padel City and We Are Padel open new indoor courts every month. Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt—every major city now hosts multiple locations. Many tennis clubs are converting courts or adding padel facilities because demand outstrips tennis growth.

The boom’s secret: padel has the lowest entry barrier of any racket sport. Tennis can take months to produce decent rallies. Squash’s tiny court is intimidating and the ball is lightning-fast. Badminton demands pinpoint precision. Padel works from the very first hour. The underhand serve, short sprints and the option to play off the walls let absolute beginners feel like they’re in a real match right away.  

Your first visit: what you need to know

Rent, don’t buy. Every padel hall lends paddles for €3–5. Try round, teardrop and diamond shapes before you commit. Round paddles forgive mistakes and are perfect for newcomers. Footwear matters more than the paddle. Wear indoor court shoes with a herringbone sole for grip on artificial turf. Running shoes skid; tennis shoes are too stiff. Dedicated padel shoes start at €50, or use indoor tennis shoes. Book a taster session. Most halls offer 60-minute beginner courses for €15–25 per person. A coach covers groundstrokes, volleys and wall play. After one hour you’re match-ready. Bring three friends. Padel is always doubles. Four players, one court, one hour: that’s €5–10 a head when courts rent for €20–40. Cheaper than almost any other indoor sport.

“Padel is the only sport where after your first hour you think: that was a real match—not a warm-up for some future day.”

Fitness Impact: What an Hour of Padel Delivers

One hour of padel burns between 400 and 700 calories, depending on intensity and body weight. For comparison: an hour of moderate jogging clocks in at 500 to 600 calories. The difference: with padel you barely notice the exertion because you’re immersed in the game. The workout is functional. Short sprints train your anaerobic endurance. Side-to-side movement strengthens abductors and knees. The stroke engages shoulders, core, and wrists. And the constant changes of direction sharpen your reaction time and balance. If you also work on your mobility, you’ll reap double the benefits on the court. For tennis players, padel is an ideal supplementary workout. The shorter running distances spare your joints while reflexes and volley technique get a serious upgrade. For non-athletes, it’s an entry point that actually sticks because the social angle—four players, team play—lowers the psychological barrier. Anyone just getting back into sports will find a gentle on-ramp here.  

Choosing the Right Racket: What Matters Most

Round shape (Control): The sweet spot sits dead centre, forgiving off-centre hits. Perfect for beginners and players who prioritise placement over power. Price: from €50.
Tear-drop shape (Versatile): A balanced compromise between control and power. The sweet spot shifts slightly upward. Ideal for players after 3–6 months looking for more oomph.
Diamond shape (Power): Head-heavy, high sweet spot, maximum striking force. Reserved for advanced players only—beginners quickly lose control and motivation.
Material: Carbon is lighter and stiffer; fibreglass is more flexible and budget-friendly. For starters, fibreglass is plenty. Carbon becomes worthwhile from the mid-range (€100–€200).
Weight: Entry-level rackets weigh 340–370 g. Lighter rackets feel nippier; heavier ones pack more punch. Always test before you buy. If you come from bouldering, you’ll likely have the grip strength for the heavier models.

Featured image source: Pexels / Oliver Sjöström