Former basketball star Charles Barkley talked about what staying fit looks like as you get older.
We all know that it’s important to stay active as we age, but not everyone can agree on what that means. Barkley weighed in on the debate by revealing that his doctor told him, “pickleball is the gift that keeps on giving,” and the reason why is surprising.
Watch:
Charles Barkley says pickleball is destroying retirees’ bodies while everyone thinks it’s the safe alternative to real sports
Barkley: “There’s not a lot you can do when you get old. That’s something you two gonna be able to do when he gets older, you can’t go play basketball.”… pic.twitter.com/tANl3pMalO
— katsu (@katsuxbt) August 7, 2026
“There’s not a lot you can do when you get old. That’s something you two gonna be able to do when he gets older, you can’t go play basketball,” he told San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. “And let me tell you something. They got this stupid thing going around called pickleball, which is the way old people out here are getting hurt all the time.”
“My doctor friends said pickleball is the gift that keeps giving. Because all these old people are killing themselves and hurt all the time. My doctor friends are in heaven right now. Pickleball is the gift that keeps giving,” Barkley added.
“It’s so dangerous. I know multiple people who’ve fallen, torn their UCL, fractured their wrist, ACL, Achilles. I am never stepping on that damn court,” Kittle chimed in. “I’ll be golfing and I’ll be in the swimming pool. That’s all I need.”
“I tell people, there’s a reason people quit playing sports, because their body gives out. What makes you think when you get older you’re going to be out there, I guess it’s kinda like pseudo-tennis?” Barkley wondered. “My doctor friends call it the gold mine that keeps giving.”
X users reacted:
People who have not been active for a while feel that pickleball is not a big deal to jump right into without any training since it seems “easy” and “low impact” to an outsider. In fact, there is a lot of agility and explosiveness that can impact joints and soft tissues.
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) August 8, 2026
If you’re over 65 you likely have aches and pains all the time. Vigorously exercising makes your muscles and joints sore. Sitting on your ass, eating Cheetos and drinking soft drinks, makes your heart, liver, lungs, glucose levels, brain function,etc…hurt. Choose.
— Mark Lemm (@MarkL66914) August 8, 2026
Bocce. Play Bocce. In your yard in the park, with wine without wine, with grandkids without grandkids, even from a wheelchair. It’s great at any age
— RAM (@RAM31415926) August 8, 2026
For older people, it’s very important to have resistance or weight-bearing exercise. It’s safest to do that using machines. The main thing older people lose is power, as opposed to endurance. An excellent light-resistance exercise that also gives you endurance is swimming.
— David J Glass MD (@davidjglassMD) August 8, 2026
If you got good insurance and that sport makes you happy I say go for it. There’s risks and everything we do if we don’t do anything life would be so boring.
— Home Run Godz (@HomeRunGodz99) August 8, 2026
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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