Workplace Trends: The Unstoppable Rise of ‘Padel’

Padel, a racket sport blending elements of tennis and squash, continues to skyrocket in popularity across the UK. This has been clearly visible in the spread of padel courts in Manchester and beyond, with state-of-the-art facilities opening across the country. 

Bruntwood prides itself on being a leader in helping businesses offer their employees amenities and facilities that emphasise employee wellbeing, which is why we’ve opened modern padel courts for campus residents at Alderley Park. 

The Emergence of Padel in the UK

The popularity of padel took off around the pandemic, with the no-contact sport providing people with a fast-paced yet exciting means of socialising. As a result, 2020 saw 900,000 padel rackets sold, compared to 500,000 tennis rackets - demonstrating just how popular the sport became. 

Since this time, it continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with the new Pure Padel at Alderley Park a flagship site for those wishing to play padel in Cheshire. Pure Padel features three enclosed, separate courts on-site at Alderley Park’s health and fitness hub. Further lockers, vending machines, products and padel-related merchandise are available from a bespoke padel kiosk, with visitors also able to take advantage of the 400 acres of parkland on-site. 

For those looking to learn more about the sport, or how to play, there will be several advanced training coaches available to ensure individuals receive the best tutelage possible.

Conveniently located just an hour from Manchester city centre, Alderley Park's accessibility means workers across Greater Manchester can work near home, providing the flexibility to thrive in a remote-working role. 

What is Padel? How Does it Work?

So, what is padel? The sport was invented in Mexico in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera, who modified his squash court. Played in doubles on courts a third the size of a standard tennis court, the game includes traditional serves and bouncing the ball off of the walls, similar to squash, while in play. The game requires you to consistently stay on your feet and be ready to move, meaning it’s extremely fast-paced, social, and fun, in addition to being a sport all ages can play - contributing to its popularity.  

The rules of the game are simple: the ball must bounce before you hit it, and you must serve underarm below waist level. Players take it in turns to serve throughout a match, aiming to get the ball to land in their opponents’ service box before hitting the side or back wall, which is then considered a ‘valid serve’.

The Benefits of Padel

There are many physical and mental wellbeing benefits of padel, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or it's your first time playing. The first of these is the physical benefits, starting with improving your heart health. With a player constantly required to be on their feet, their heart rate and cardiovascular endurance is improved.

The quick reflexes required by a padel player, in addition to mastering hand-eye coordination, means you’re constantly assessing your next move. This in turn leads to better coordination and agility, which can be replicated in other activities. 

Finally, padel works several muscle groups in your arms and legs, meaning the sport (if played regularly in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle) can help you to tone your muscles, increase flexibility and improve your overall fitness. With Alderley Park’s on-site showers also available, individuals can finish their workday, play the sport and then freshen up to take a gentle walk across one of our on-site walking, running and cycling trails, with the campus encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle.

There are also several mental health benefits attached to padel - it’s a great way to lower your stress levels. From those who simply want to socialise with like-minded individuals, through to the endorphins released by participating in sport, this is a fantastic distraction from any daily stressors. 

Regularly playing padel could also help to lower your anxiety levels, promoting relaxation and encouraging individuals to push their social boundaries and enjoy feeling part of a team/community. You could also benefit from networking with other individuals in your business, or mingle with other like-minded employees, meaning padel is a great way to take care of your overall wellbeing. 

The Upside of Having Fitness Facilities in The Workplace

Incorporating innovative sport and fitness amenities into your workplace is a great means of investing in your staff and making workspaces more attractive. Studies have shown that an increase in physical activity can actually leave workers feeling more satisfied and as much as 15% more productive. This means the inclusion of sports areas, such as the new padel courts in Alderley Park, may provide physical benefits to employees, while improving job satisfaction  and output at the same time. 

Similarly, exercise is renowned for its positive impacts on mental health, namely by reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. Researchers have even discovered that those who regularly exercise have 40% less ‘poor’ mental health days than those who are sedentary, indicating that employers should consistently encourage their staff to stay fit and active if possible. With Alderley Park offering padel in addition to an on-site gym and 400 acres of idyllic parkland, the campus’ residents have immediate access to a plethora of fitness-focused facilities.

As a bonus, sports such as padel foster social connections, especially amongst employees. Playing in pairs requires players to have excellent communication skills, making it the perfect team-building exercise. Nearly 70% of employees state they would be happier with deeper connections and relationships at work. These connections, in turn, can improve your quality of life and job satisfaction, meaning work is more enjoyable. 

By investing into high-quality, innovative and accessible fitness facilities, alongside encouraging employees to participate in active pursuits, employers can help to cultivate a cohesive workforce. The direct impact is a more positive and productive workplace culture.

Join A Padel Club Today

Signing up to play padel is easier than ever at Alderley Park - just download the Playtomic app and make your booking. To explore other top-tier Bruntwood locations with amenities that range from on-site gyms through to cafés and padel courts, explore our office spaces today.