Pickleball Perfected at Activate Body
Thinking about trying pickleball? Melanie Rosettenstein finds out how to start the right way with a workout and recovery program designed to boost your game while reducing the risk of injury.
Adopted by the rich and famous, sporty and non-sporty, young and young at heart, Pickleball is not just a sport, it’s a movement that has taken the world by storm. Quick to grasp and fun to play, it’s surprisingly demanding on the body, which is why Activate Body has introduced the Ultimate Pickleball Workouts and Recovery Program.
Performance coach and co-owner of Activate Body, Tom Molloy loves Pickleball and plays regularly with family and friends.
“It’s an incredible sport that blends reaction, movement, social connection, and competitive spirit. It’s fun, yet challenging, and that’s what hooks people in,” he said. “Anyone can pick up a paddle – whether it’s a family playing together or retirees honing their skills.”
While you don’t need to be super fit to play, Tom explains that Pickleball can be demanding on the body which is why he and wife Viktoria, a physiotherapist, have introduced their Ultimate Pickleball Workouts and Recovery Program to help players of all levels to improve their performance, prevent injuries and maximise longevity on the court. Activate Body is a leader in sports performance and injury management offering evidence-based training and rehabilitation methods tailored to the needs of athletes and active individuals.
Their SMART training method focussing on strength, movement, training and resistance training, helps people to regain strength and confidence in their bodies so they can continue doing the activities they love. This method is the cornerstone of their Pickleball program says Tom.
“As a performance coach, my mindset is always about getting better, stronger, and enjoying the journey of improvement,” he said. “Even if you don’t consider yourself competitive, once you start getting good at something, you’ll love the process.”
Tom works with people overcoming injuries or chronic conditions and even cites his own experience with arthritis as an example of what is possible with the right training.
“The right interventions can completely open up your world and Pickleball is a perfect example,” he explained. “It’s a sport that so many of our clients love, and with proper conditioning, it allows people to stay active, move in a pain-free way, and truly embrace their physical potential.”
Activate Body’s Pickleball Workouts are tailored to the sport’s unique physical demands, focusing on agility and speed, strength and power, core stability and balance, flexibility and mobility, injury prevention and recovery. A session begins with a thorough warm-up where Tom will test your reflexes and physical ability before diving in.
“Our workouts ensure that Pickleball players stay agile and strong while minimising common injuries such as knee strain, shoulder pain, and lower back tightness,” he said.
Once they’ve honed their skills at Activate Body, players are not only prepared for their introductory session with Noosa Pickleball Club coach Ron Gatliff but are also supported through the ongoing physiotherapy and remedial massage services offered by Activate Body to maintain peak performance and prevent injuries.
Activate Body’s personalised care plans target a player’s individual needs and may include injury prevention strategies such as addressing imbalances and weaknesses; and targeted recovery treatments like physiotherapy, massage and myotherapy to relieve sore muscles as well as improve flexibility and joint health to keep players light on their feet.
“By integrating physiotherapy and massage into their routine, our players can continue to enjoy their pickleball without the fear of injuries slowing them down,” shared Tom.
The program is a recipe for Pickleball success as demonstrated by 67-year-old Phil Hall’s experience. Phil was struggling with pain before joining Activate Body a year ago.
“I had been dealing with lower back pain for years, and I needed to do something about it,” he explained. “Through strength training and core work, I built up my fitness before diving into Pickleball to help prevent injuries.”
Phil started playing the sport in August last year and at the time of this writer’s interview with him, had been playing Pickleball for 11 days straight.
“Since starting, I’ve lost 12kgs, gained strength, and made lots of new friends. It’s done wonders for my physical and mental health,” he said.
After 11 straight days on the court, even Phil admitted it might be time for a well-earned break – but not for long. With the right training and recovery program, Phil is proof that Pickleball provides a way to stay strong, social and active at any age. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, social play or chasing your own Pickleball marathon, Activate Body’s Ultimate Pickleball Workouts and Recovery Program ensure you can play harder, recover faster, and keep going back for more. Because when the game is this fun, why would you ever want to stop?
Staying injury-free
To keep Pickleball players on the court and injury-free, Tom and Viktoria recommend:
- Have a quality warm-up before playing to prepare your muscles and joints for movement.
- Strengthen your muscles with functional resistance training to build strength and support for repetitive motions.
- Get on top of niggles and injuries early to address minor discomforts before they become major issues.
- Stay hydrated and take breaks to prevent fatigue and keep your body functioning optimally.
- Cool down after playing to aid recovery and prevent stiffness.
- Wear proper footwear.
