SmashPadel has introduced the Sofa 2 Smash programme, adapting the NHS's Couch to 5k initiative for padel to tackle inactivity and related health issues. The eight-week pilot in Bicester involved six participants and showed positive results in mental and physical wellbeing. Participants highlighted the social benefits and fun learning environment.
SmashPadel, a padel club in Bicester, has adapted the NHS’s popular ‘Couch to 5k’ fitness programme into ‘Sofa 2 Smash’ specifically for the padel court. The initiative aims to address non-communicable diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, which are linked to risk factors including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption, and inactivity.
The programme was led by Annabelle Denly, a Level 2-qualified LTA coach with experience in the NHS mental health service. An eight-week pilot ran before Christmas with six participants, recruited through partnerships with Cherwell District Council and local charities like Active Oxfordshire.
Results from the pilot indicated improvements in participants’ mental wellbeing, self-reported health, physical activity levels, and reduced sedentary behaviour. Participants particularly valued the structured, fun sessions and the social connections formed, with some arranging to meet outside the programme.
Gemma Bridges, one participant, shared: “I suffer with mental health issues and find it very difficult meeting new people. But from the very beginning, we were all at the same sort of level. It was a very fun, structured way of learning the game of padel, getting fitter and finding a new hobby. A few of us have now signed up to do the beginner/improver social sessions, and we get a discount on court bookings. For me it’s had a massive impact on mental and physical health and socially too. I’ve now got back into fitness. It’s just built up a bit more confidence to do more regular exercise.”
Another participant noted: “I loved the whole idea of the programme; bringing a group of ladies together to learn padel with a coach. Having just moved to Bicester and often working from home, this programme got me out the house to meet people from the area. I loved the sociable aspect of it, and since the programme us ladies have been meeting to play padel, meaning we’ve found a group of like-minded women who want to continue playing together.”
The sessions were described as creating a “stress-free”, “non-judgemental” and “rewarding” environment. Offered for free, the programme fostered community and connections while enhancing mental and physical wellbeing. Post-pilot, participants received discounts on group coaching, social sessions, and free racket rentals. All six expressed interest in serving as ‘S2S Alumni’ to support future groups.
SmashPadel intends to expand Sofa 2 Smash across its UK sites, including coach training and follow-up activities. Annabelle Denly stated: “We plan to collect longitudinal data on the original S2S pilot programme participants to see whether S2S will have any long-term impacts. We hope this exciting, new initiative will inspire other padel operators to invest in providing accessible padel to a harder-to-reach target group, as this is the group who will benefit the most.”
