Is Tennis Training Equipment Effective?

Training is an important part of a tennis player’s life, and as such, Do IT Tennis promotes active tennis training for all players.  However, depending on the level of competition the player is involved in, as well as the type of conditioning the player expects, is critical in determining the type of training to focus on.  Training can range from basic stretching and running, to a full, well-rounded program that mixes endurance, with strength and power training, with speed and agility training.  In general, the greater the amount of training a player undertakes, the higher the standard of their play.

What Type of Tennis Training is Best for Me?

Before beginning any type of training routine, it is best to determine your style of play, as well as what type of conditioning is realistic for your athletic ability.  If you are a casual player, more than likely, simple endurance training would be best to help you last through the full game.  If you play more competitively, a mixed training session would likely be the most effective, as this would improve not only your endurance, but your speed and agility as well.

Agility Training

Agility training is used to improve your co-ordination, and as such, tends to incorporate a lot of lateral movement.  These exercises generally occur during the beginning of any workout, as they require precision to be done correctly.  They are rarely physically exhausting, and rather, are used as a precursor to endurance training.

Power Training

Power training teaches an athlete to use their maximum strength in the shortest period of time.  This training doesn’t necessarily simply increase your strength, but rather teaches you how to use that strength explosively, creating a much more powerful hit.  Power training generally has four stages, with the first being some strength training.  However, as strength is not as important to power training, if an athlete already has had some training, this step can be skipped.  Explosive strength training follows, which is never exhausting, but rather focuses on lifting weights as quickly as possible.  Next is ballistics, which includes throwing a medicine ball as far as possible and a jump squat.  This is an important area of power training. Finally, there is plyometrics, which includes various types of jump training, as well as upper body drills that use a medicine ball.