Step onto a padel court in Dubai and the first thing you notice is the energy. Glass walls, fast rallies, people cheering each other on. It feels like fun. And it is. But here’s the thing most new players figure out pretty quickly: you can’t just rely on technique. If your body isn’t fit enough, padel will expose it.
Fitness isn’t optional in padel
At first glance, padel looks like an easier cousin of tennis. Smaller court, less running, right? Not exactly. The game is full of sudden sprints, sharp turns, and quick reactions. One moment you’re relaxed, the next you’re racing across the court to dig out a ball off the glass. Without some level of fitness, the fun fades fast—you’re left panting, missing shots, and praying the rally ends soon.
That’s why most padel classes in Dubai don’t just hand you a racket and explain the rules. Coaches know you need the stamina to keep up, the agility to move in tight spaces, and the strength to swing without hurting yourself.
What coaches actually do
Fitness in coaching doesn’t mean endless push-ups or boring treadmill runs. It’s built into the way sessions are run. A few examples:
- Quick ladder drills to sharpen footwork.
- Cone exercises that mimic real court movement.
- Short sprints—again and again—because padel is all about bursts.
- Resistance band work to give your shots extra punch.
- Stretching and mobility to stop injuries before they happen.
It’s not about becoming the strongest person in the room. It’s about being able to move well, keep energy through the match, and feel in control.
Dubai makes it different
Here’s where Dubai stands out. The city has made padel a lifestyle sport. Clubs aren’t just offering padel courts in Dubai, they’re building whole setups with gyms, trainers, recovery areas—the works. You finish your class, and right there you can hop into a fitness session tailored for padel.
Then there’s the climate. Even indoor courts can feel heavy with heat. Coaches here take that seriously. Sessions often focus on endurance, hydration, and safe recovery, because no one enjoys burning out halfway through a game.
The payoff for players
You really feel the difference once fitness becomes part of your training. You move faster, you read the ball better, and you don’t lose steam by the second set. Your shots hit cleaner too—not because you’re trying harder, but because your body can actually handle the load.
Even beginners notice it. Someone who just wanted a fun hobby suddenly finds themselves more confident on court, less tired, and maybe even looking forward to the fitness part as much as the games.
Not just a sport here
Padel in Dubai is social. People play in order to be active, to meet friends, to relax. Competing is not always the case. Nevertheless, fitness is not meaningless, as it helps to stay injury-free and enjoy every match. You do not have to train like a professional, but some fitness exercises will go a long way.
Looking ahead
Padel is not fading away in Dubai. As the number of tournaments, number of clubs and number of international players in the tours continue to rise, the level goes on increasing. That is to say that coaching will just be more of a matter of fitness. And not as an adjunct, but as an element of the game.
But, in case you are serious about the improvement–or simply do not want to fear running out of breath–find clubs integrating both. Club padel is a good case in point, as it has smart coaching and some of the best padel courts of its kind in Dubai. It is that combination of fitness and skill that makes the players come back stronger and sharper every time.
