Pickleball Singles vs Doubles: Calorie Comparison
Compare calories burned playing pickleball singles vs doubles. Learn which format burns more calories and why based on MET values and court coverage.
Singles pickleball burns 18 to 36 percent more calories than doubles because you must cover the entire court alone. A 70 kg player burns approximately 478 to 551 calories per hour playing singles compared to 331 to 404 calories playing doubles.
The difference comes down to movement patterns, court coverage, and rest periods.
Direct Comparison (60 Minutes, 70 kg Player)
| Format | MET Value | Calories Burned | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light doubles | 4.5 | 331 kcal | Baseline |
| Moderate doubles | 5.5 | 404 kcal | +22% |
| Vigorous doubles | 6.5 | 478 kcal | +44% |
| Vigorous singles | 6.5 | 478 kcal | +44% |
| Very vigorous singles | 7.5 | 551 kcal | +66% |
Why Singles Burns More Calories
Full Court Coverage
In singles, you are responsible for the entire court. Every shot requires you to recover position, leading to more running and lateral movement than when court duties are shared.
Higher Heart Rate
Singles maintains a higher average heart rate because there are fewer natural rest periods. Your cardiovascular system works harder throughout the session.
Fewer Rest Opportunities
In doubles, you can briefly recover while your partner handles shots on their side. Singles offers no such respite.
Greater Sprint Demands
Singles requires more explosive movements to reach wide balls that a doubles partner would normally cover.
MET Value Breakdown
Research-based MET values for each format:
Doubles Play:
- Casual social: 4.5 MET
- Recreational: 5.5 MET
- Competitive: 6.5 MET
Singles Play:
- Recreational: 6.5 MET
- Competitive: 7.5 MET
Singles typically starts at 6.5 MET because even casual singles requires substantial court coverage.
Calorie Comparison by Weight
60 Minutes of Play
| Body Weight | Moderate Doubles | Vigorous Singles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 347 kcal | 473 kcal | +126 kcal |
| 70 kg | 404 kcal | 551 kcal | +147 kcal |
| 80 kg | 462 kcal | 630 kcal | +168 kcal |
| 90 kg | 520 kcal | 709 kcal | +189 kcal |
Heavier players see even greater absolute calorie differences between formats.
Which Format Should You Choose?
Choose Singles If:
- Maximum calorie burn is your goal
- You want intense cardiovascular training
- You prefer individual competition
- You have good endurance and mobility
Choose Doubles If:
- You prefer social play
- You are recovering from injury
- You want sustainable exercise for longer sessions
- You enjoy teamwork and strategy
Combining Both Formats
Many players benefit from mixing singles and doubles:
| Weekly Schedule | Estimated Calories |
|---|---|
| 2x doubles (60 min) | 808 kcal |
| 1x singles (60 min) | 551 kcal |
| Weekly Total | 1,359 kcal |
This approach provides variety, social interaction, and higher-intensity training.
Movement Patterns Compared
Doubles Movement:
- Lateral shuffles within your zone
- Forward movement to the net
- Strategic positioning
- Communication and coordination
Singles Movement:
- Full court sprints
- Diagonal recovery runs
- Constant repositioning
- Higher volume of steps per game
Related Calculators
- Pickleball Singles Calories Calculator - Singles-specific calculation
- Pickleball Doubles Calories Calculator - Doubles-specific calculation
- Pickleball Calorie Calculator - Compare all formats