Tennis Fitness Class

Fun was had by all at Desert Fitness Group's first Tennis Fitness Class. There was a warm up followed by footwork drills, and speed work, using ladders and cones. Once we had everyone breathing hard we tapered down to core strengthening. I made a lot of use of the plank exercise and included work on intercostal muscles (muscles inbetween the ribs), shoulders, knees and hips. The weather wasn't actually too hot as we found a shady court to have our fun. Look for some video and pictures from class next week!

Just get MOVING!!!!

You know those moments. Moments when you FEEL like working out, but you don't. You think I'll do it later and it never happens. Don't feel badly, it happens to all of us. But, remember this - you'll most likely NEVER get to it - so instead, do what I do, drop and give yourself 10. Do 10 reps of anything: push ups, squats, dips, etc. This small act will change your mood and mindset, as well as build the momentum to continue. While you may not have time for a full workout, allow yourself to lace in more exercises throughout the day.



Motivate: Commit to a simple goal and you're more likely to follow through. Give yourself something concrete to follow, like say, "By the end of the day, I'll have completed 10 different exercises, x15 reps."



Tip 2 - Go slow to go fast!

Admit it: Warm-ups can be a bit tedious. But, here's the thing, skip your warm up and your workout WILL be harder to get into and harder to DO. Why? A warm up prepares your body and mind for the exercise to come. It gives your mind, muscles, joints, heart and lungs, the opportunity to rehearse for the activity ahead. And we all know, practice make everything easier.



Motivate: A warm up will enhance circulation, initiate carbohydrate and fat enzymes for consumption, as well as increase levels of epinephrine, the hormone that helps you burn fat. Skip your 8-to-10 minute warm-up and you'll skip the process.

Great tennis workout! Followed by a great tournament finish.

Last Monday evening I, along with a friend (client, Jen) and my husband, had an invigorating heart pounding, leg wobbling work out with our local tennis coach, Sasha. Running around various formations of cones, duck walks leading into explosive approach shots nearly finished off my legs. It had been 12 years since I had done duck walks seriously. I was on an endorphin high for hours ..maybe even the next day. This weekend I had the final match of the SCTA tournament in the 4.5 division and won easily 6-2, 6-3. I felt fresh even at the end. I look forward to another great workout tomorrow evening.

The latest hapenings

My tennis team won our match today which clinched a trip to the play offs for us and we were short 3 of our better players and I was hobbled with my ankle. I now have to take 3 weeks off to get rid of the inflamation, but that's OK. We won today and I'm happy about it! http://youtu.be/1fouvwilGWc This is my tennis team's latest workout routine. watch it and weep! GOOOOO TEAM!

The Champion Within

"The (person) intoxicated with his admiration of a hero, fails to see that it is only a projection of his own soul, which he admires."

I love this quote because so many of us look to other people to emmulate and achieve for us, when in actuality we would feel so much more fulfilled if we recognized and moved toward the champion/hero within ourselves. How is it we are not taught how to find ourselves? We are taught how to get by, to tow the line, pay the bills, hold a job, have a family...all so mainstream... for what? The sake of an "orderly" society? Perhaps if there were more effort in teaching people how to find themselves, where to look, what it means... from the beginning of school... perhaps there wouldn't be so much depression, depravity, and misfortune? I hope I can give my son a strong sense of self and the ability to pass this along to others!