Sun’s out. Drills, bags, and pros—out too.

Inside the life of a traveling pro, plus bags, drills, and gear worth obsessing over.

Author

Empower Pickleball
April 24, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

April’s winding down, National Pickleball Month is officially a wrap, and the US Open kicks off Saturday (aka the unofficial start of the season). Sunshine? Booked. Courts? Reserved. Empower crew? Headed to Naples.

And yes, Anna Leigh Waters and Andre Agassi are playing together. We all know that. But let’s take a beat: in what other sport does an 18-year-old phenom get to partner up with a retired legend nearly three times her age—in a major championship? This sport is wild. And we’re not mad about it.

Meanwhile, back on the home courts, it’s finally starting to feel like spring into summer. If you caught our not-so-subtle hint in yesterday’s special edition, we’re breaking down our favorite travel bags below. Consider this your sign to refresh your gear—and maybe book that spontaneous pickleball trip while you’re at it.

TIPS & TRICKS

Move Like You’ve Been There Before

It’s not about being the flashiest player on the court. It’s about being the one who knows what’s coming next. The one who shifts before the shot, covers the gap without thinking, and feels completely in sync with their partner. That kind of play doesn’t happen by accident—it’s trained. These situational drills are designed to build that awareness, one smart rep at a time.


💡 Why It Matters: The better your court awareness, the fewer surprises—and the more control—you’ll have in every rally.

GEAR

Pack It Up, We’re Playing Everywhere

You can’t control the tournament draw or your partner’s punctuality—but you can control how your gear shows up. These travel-tested pickleball bags check all the boxes: smart compartments, serious durability, and a little style flex to remind everyone you mean business before the first serve.


💡 Why It Matters: The right bag keeps your gear (and your sanity) together when everything else is chaos.

COMMUNITY

Grit, Gratitude, and the Pro Life on the Road

Life on the road isn’t all resort courts and post-match selfies. For pro player Gina Cilento, it’s long travel days, teaching clinics to offset costs, and learning to rest just as hard as she plays. After six years of juggling the APP Tour, NPL, and her own Wisconsin-based facility, Gina’s rewriting what success looks like—choosing balance, joy, and community over burnout and medals.


💡 Why It Matters: Even in a sport built on hustle, rest and joy deserve a permanent spot on the schedule.

  • Pickleball Helps Slow Parkinson’s Symptom 🧠 In Charleston, a program called Pick It Up for Parkinson’s is using modified pickleball play to improve balance, mobility, and well-being for people with Parkinson’s—proving again that this game is way more than just a pastime.

  • Big Lots Becomes Big Dinks 🏬 PickleRage is turning a former Big Lots in Ohio into a 32,000 sq. ft. pickleball center with indoor and outdoor courts opening later this year.

  • NC Cracks the Top 15 for Pickleball Obsession 📊 North Carolina ranked #11 in a new study tracking court access, search trends, and overall pickleball hype—proving the obsession is real.

For Players Who Can’t Get Enough Court Time

If you’re the type who plays ‘just one more game’ five times in a row, VKTRY insoles might be your new obsession. Designed with aerospace-grade carbon fiber (seriously), these shock-absorbing, energy-returning insoles help you stay on the court longer, with less strain on your joints.

Get 20% of your first pair by clicking here.

I Finally Found Court Shoes That Don’t Feel Like a Brick

I’ve tried a few pickleball shoes, and ASICS is the first brand that actually gets how we move. Lightweight, breathable, stable—and not bulky. Right now, some of their best styles are on sale starting at $60.

I’m eyeing the Game FFs, but their GEL-RENMAs are built specifically for pickleball with the support and grip tennis shoes just don’t have. Worth a look if your current pair is on its last leg.

Last week’s poll confirmed what we already knew: you’re not just playing — you’re living pickleball.

So now we want to know:

How are you getting ready for peak pickleball season?

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Vote and tell us how you’re showing up this summer!