Calories Burned Playing Racquetball

The key to a good workout in racquetball is well-matched competition. Compatible players force each other to work hard and a rally can last a long time. As with any exercise, the harder you work, the more calories you burn.

  1. Identification

    • Racquetball is played in an enclosed room. Games can be between two, three or four players. A racket and ball are the only requirements, although safety glasses and gloves to help hold onto the racket are common.

    Game Play

    • Players serve and volley, much like in tennis. The ball is served off the front wall and must be returned off the front wall before it hits the ground more than once. While a serve can hit one side wall after hitting the front wall, all volleys afterward can hit any number of walls or the ceiling, as long as the ball hits the front wall before bouncing.
      A racquetball match typically takes about an hour for evenly matched players. Matches are best two out of three games to 15 points. The winner must outscore his opponent by at least two points every game.

    Casual Play

    • In a one-hour game between two recreational or novice players: A 30-year-old, 5-foot-5 woman who weighs 130 pounds will burn 346 calories; a 50-year-old woman of the same height and weight will burn 323 calories; a 30-year-old, 6-foot man who weighs 165 pounds will burn 452 calories; and a 50-year-old man of the same height and weight will burn 419 calories.

    Competive Play

    • In a one-hour game between two skilled players: A 30-year-old, 5-foot-5 woman who weighs 130 pounds will burn 519 calories; a 50-year-old woman of the same height and weight will burn 484 calories; a 30-year-old, 6-foot man who weighs 165 pounds will burn 678 calories; and a 50-year-old man of the same height and weight will burn 628 calories.

    Comparisons

    • Compared to its closest relatives: Competitive racquetball burns about 100 calories fewer per hour than competitive squash for women, and about 150 calories fewer for men. For women, racquetball burns a little more than 100 calories per hour more than a competitive game of tennis singles and more than 200 more calories per hour more than competitive doubles. For men, it burns about 150 calories more per hour than tennis singles and about twice as much as doubles.