How To Choose Racket Weight: I Used The Wrong Weight For 2 Years

Bought a 3U racket (88g) because the shop guy said "heavier is better for power." Used it for 2 years. Developed tennis elbow in my hitting arm.

Physio told me the racket was too heavy for my swing speed and playing frequency. Switched to 4U (83g). Arm pain disappeared within a month.

Turns out racket weight matters way more than I thought. Here's what you actually need to know.

Understanding The Weight System

Badminton rackets use a letter system: 2U, 3U, 4U, 5U. Confusingly, higher numbers = lighter weight.

The weight difference between classes is only 5 grams—but you'll absolutely feel it during a 60-minute match.

My Experience With Different Weights

3U (88g): Felt powerful on smashes for the first 20 minutes. After 40 minutes my arm was tired and my swing slowed down. By the end of a 2-hour session, my forearm was aching.

4U (83g): Noticeably lighter. Maintained swing speed throughout entire matches. Could play back-to-back games without arm fatigue. This is what I use now.

5U (77g): Tried my clubmate's racket. Felt almost toy-like at first. Insanely fast to swing, but less stable when blocking hard smashes. Good for speed-focused players but too whippy for my style.

Which Weight Should You Actually Use?

If you're a beginner (0-1 year): Get 5U. Lighter weight lets you focus on technique without fighting the racket. You'll develop better swing mechanics with less arm strain.

If you're intermediate (1-3 years): 4U is perfect. Enough weight for stability and power, light enough to avoid fatigue. This is what 70% of club players use.

If you're advanced with good technique: 3U if you want maximum power and can handle the weight. 4U if you play multiple times per week. 5U if you prioritize speed over power.

If you play 3+ times per week: Go lighter than you think. Accumulated fatigue from heavy rackets leads to injury. I learned this the hard way with tennis elbow.

The Power vs Speed Trade-off

Heavier rackets (3U) generate more momentum = harder smashes. But they're slower to swing and tire you out faster.

Lighter rackets (5U) are faster to maneuver = better defense and quick reactions. But they feel less stable and require better technique to generate power.

4U is the goldilocks zone. Not too heavy, not too light. Balanced power and speed.

Real example: I switched from 3U to 4U and lost maybe 5% smash power. But I gained way more in defense speed and could maintain performance for entire tournaments instead of dying after 2 matches.

Women and Junior Players

Women and juniors should default to 5U unless you're exceptionally strong. There's no shame in using lighter rackets—many professional women players use 4U or 5U.

I've watched junior players struggle with 4U rackets their parents bought them, developing bad technique to compensate for the weight. A 5U racket would let them learn proper mechanics.

General rule: If you're under 5'6" or weigh under 130 lbs, start with 5U.

Grip Size Affects Feel

Adding an overgrip adds 5-7 grams. So a 4U racket (83g) with two overgrips becomes essentially 3U weight (95g) in your hand.

I stack 2-3 overgrips because I like thick handles. This makes my 4U racket feel like mid-3U. If you prefer thin handles and use just the base grip, you'll feel the full lightness of your racket weight.

Factor this in when choosing weight. More overgrips = heavier feel.

Does Playing Style Matter?

Aggressive singles player (smash-heavy): 3U or 4U for power. You're not moving as much, so weight is manageable.

Defensive/counter-attack player: 4U or 5U. You need speed to react and retrieve. Power is less critical.

Doubles front court: 5U. Fast reflexes at net are everything. You're not generating power from front court anyway.

Doubles back court: 4U. Balance of power for smashes and speed for defense.

All-around recreational: 4U. Works for everything, doesn't excel at anything. Perfect for club play.

When To Move Up In Weight

If you've been playing 2+ years with 5U and it feels too light or unstable, try 4U. If 4U feels effortless after a year and you want more power, try 3U.

But honestly? Most players never need to move heavier than 4U. I know advanced players who've used 4U for 10+ years and have zero reason to change.

Don't upgrade weight just because:

• Someone told you heavier is "better"

• Pros use 3U (they also train 6 hours daily)

• You think it'll magically improve your smash

Upgrade weight when your current racket genuinely feels too light during play. Not before.

The Bottom Line

Start with 4U unless you have a specific reason not to. It's the most versatile, forgiving weight that works for 90% of players.

Too light? Move to 3U gradually. Too heavy or arm hurts? Drop to 5U.

I wasted 2 years and developed an injury using the wrong weight. Don't make my mistake—match the weight to your current fitness and technique level, not your ego or aspirations.