‘Cardio Tennis' comes to Sparta

Sparta - The Tennis Industry Association (TIA) and United States Tennis Association (USTA) have joined forces to to launch Cardio Tennis, a new, fun, group tennis activity that combines tennis with a high-energy cardio-vascular workout. Cardio Tennis was developed by TIA president Jim Baugh in conjunction with the USTA, and is coming to the Sparta Athletic Club. Andy Ball. general manager of the club, calls Cardio Tennis a “breakthrough with synergy of tennis and fitness.” Cardio Tennis features a program that includes warm-up, cardio workout and cool down phases and is designed for anybody regardless of tennis skill level. “Tennis has always been considered a great activity that is fun if you know how to play,” says Marc Massaad, tennis pro at the Sparta Atheltic Club. “Now, Cardio Tennis is a new way for anyone to enjoy tennis and get an ultimate full body workout. Americans are constantly looking for new ways to lose weight and Cardio Tennis is a great way to get in shape, and have fun while doing it.” Massaad noted that Americans spend billions of dollars a year searching for the ultimate workout to help them shed unwanted pounds, but most lack Cardio Tennis’ ability to get participants to consistently elevate their heart rates into their aerobic training zone while having fun. Cardio Tennis’ curriculum allows the participant to burn more calories within short cycles of high intensity workout and periods of rest — similar to interval training. Each phase of the program has drills specifically designed to be fun, challenging and to get particpants moving and their heart rates pumping. The goal is to get a person’s heart rate in their aerobic training zone (65-85% of their maximum recommended heart rate) for the entire session and keep it there. And while Cardio Tennis is not designed to make you a great player, particpants improve from hitting so many forehands, backhands, and volleys while working out. Cardio Tennis workouts are also more of a social experience than many other fitness activities. “Cardio Tennis is a great idea,” said Gordon Blackburn, Ph.D. associate staff, department of cardiovascular medicine at The Cleveland Clinic, a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. “The curriculum is designed to give participants a great workout and has three segments of a healthy activity: warm up, cardiovascular conditioning, and then a cool down segment, while fostering a fun social interaction. We are excited about activities that get America energized, fit and healthy.” For information, call 973-960-7411, or visit online at cardiotennis.com.