Tennis is a great sport to learn. It is a good cardio activity and fun to play with a buddy. It is pretty easy to get equipped for playing tennis. Other than a court to play on, all you really need is a racket and balls.
Tennis Gear
If you are new to tennis you are probably wondering how to get your gear. One place to find gear such as rackets and balls is from a second-hand sports shop. If you want to buy new, you can look into sport stores like Big 5, Sports Authority, etc. You can even find good quality sporting goods at Target and Walmart. One thing I like to buy new is tennis balls, used ones tend to lose their bounce. For clothing you can just wear your regular workout clothes and shoes. You don’t need to get all fancy with tennis shorts or tops. Just be sure to wear comfortable clothes that you would wear for other workouts. Most workout shoes should work find on a tennis court. Comfortable sneakers that are called cross-trainers work great.
Playing Tennis
A great way to learn tennis is by taking a group class at a tennis club or community center. There you can learn the basics of the game and practice drills. These are the kind of classes that I like taking with a workout buddy. Going with a buddy is beneficial even when the class is over because you can continue to practice together and become tennis partners.
If you don’t have time or funds to take a class right now, find a friend who has some tennis experience. Playing someone who more experience might sound intimidating but it is actually very smart. They can show you the different strokes (forehand, backhand, serve etc), do drills with you and help you learn the basics of the game. Many parks and schools have courts open to the public for play when scheduled classes are not there.
Other Tips
Use caution when playing tennis. It is not worth spraining your ankle over a missed ball.
Bring a water bottle. It is always important to remember to hydrate.
Warm-up before you play so your muscles aren’t cold. Stretch after you play, especially your arms and legs.
Remember to wear a hat and sunscreen for protection from the sun. Most tennis courts I have been on don’t provide much shade. Keep your tennis play to around an hour so you don’t overdo it.
If your tennis buddy isn’t available to play, you can also practice against a ball wall. Ball walls are often found at grade schools and can be used by the public on the weekends.
Have fun! Enjoy learning tennis and remember that it might take awhile to get the swing of things.
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