Padel is the fastest growing racket sport in the country and everyone seems to have an opinion. Some people play three times a week and cannot stop talking about it. Others try it once and never go back. So is it actually worth it? Here is a balanced look at what you pay, what you get, and who should bother.
The money side
The honest starting point is cost per session. In Manchester a court usually runs from about 24 to 44 pounds an hour depending on the venue and time. Split between four players, that is roughly 6 to 11 pounds each for a full hour of exercise. Compared with a gym class or a round of golf, that is reasonable. Compared with a run in the park, it is obviously not free. We break the numbers down properly in How Much Does Padel Cost in Manchester.
Gear is where people worry, and mostly they should not. You can borrow a racket at most clubs for your first few goes, or buy a solid beginner frame for 40 to 90 pounds. Add a pair of court shoes and a tube of balls and you are set. You do not need the 300 pound racket a friend told you about. Our shop keeps sensible starter options if you want to check.
So the real cost of getting into padel is one racket, one pair of shoes and a handful of sessions. Call it 100 to 150 pounds all in for your first month, less if you share courts and borrow kit.
How quickly you enjoy it
This is padel's trump card. Most sports punish beginners for weeks before they feel any good. Padel does the opposite. The court is small, the walls keep the ball in play, and rallies happen in your very first session. You will lose points, you will mishit, and you will still have long, laughing exchanges within twenty minutes. That instant payoff is a big part of why people come back. If you are nervous about the learning curve, Is Padel Hard to Learn covers what to expect.
Fitness and social value
An hour of padel is a genuine workout without feeling like one. You are moving constantly, changing direction, reaching and reacting, but the doubles format means you are never flat out for long. It suits people who find the gym boring and would rather get fit by accident.
The social side is where padel quietly wins. It is always four players, so it is built around company. It works across ages and abilities, so a mixed group can play together without it falling apart. Plenty of people have made friends, filled evenings and built a weekly ritual around it. If your main goal is exercise plus a social life in one go, few hobbies do both this well.
Padel versus other hobbies
Against the gym, padel is more fun and more social but less flexible, since you need a court and three other people. Against golf, it is cheaper, quicker and easier to arrange, though golf gives you more time outdoors. Against five-a-side football, padel is kinder on the knees and easier to get a game going with mixed abilities. Against running, padel costs money and running does not, but running will never give you the same buzz of a close match.
Who it is worth it for
Padel is worth it if you want exercise that does not feel like a chore, if you like a social element, if you have a couple of friends who will play, and if a tenner a session sits fine with your budget. It is especially worth it for people who bounced off other sports because the learning curve was brutal.
Who it is not worth it for
It is a harder sell if you struggle to gather three other players regularly, since turning up alone is trickier than at a gym. It is less appealing if you want to train completely on your own schedule, or if your budget genuinely cannot stretch to court fees. And if you already have a sport you love and enough time is tight, padel might just be another thing competing for the same evenings.
The verdict
For most people who give it a fair three or four goes, padel is worth it. The low skill barrier, the instant rallies and the built-in social side make it stick where other hobbies fade. The best way to decide is simply to book a court and try it. Have a look at getting started and pick a nearby court from our venues list.
FAQ
How much does it cost to try padel once?
Often under 15 pounds. Split a court four ways for 6 to 11 pounds each and borrow a racket, and one session costs about the same as a coffee and a sandwich.
Do I need to be fit to enjoy padel?
No. The doubles format means you share the court and rest between rallies. It suits all fitness levels, and you get fitter by playing rather than needing to be fit first.
Is padel worth it if I can only play now and then?
Yes, as an occasional social game it works well. You improve faster playing weekly, but even monthly it is an enjoyable way to catch up with friends and move about.
What is the cheapest way to get started?
Borrow a club racket, split an off-peak court with three friends, and wear any non-marking trainers. That keeps your first session well under the price of a night out.