Anyone for Tennis?

Many elite tennis players such as Serena Williams and Andy Murray incorporate Pilates into their training regimes as a way to reduce their risk of injury and to improve their movements.

Tennis requires strength, power, endurance and speed but also mobility, flexibility, control and balance are equally important.

Tennis players need good core strength to control the spine whilst moving limbs.

Many injuries that occur in tennis are common to other sports; at Exe Valley Pilates we address imbalance within the body.Rotation and extension movements, common in tennis on a dominant side of the body can lead to tightness and injury; these can be addressed by regular pilates practice. We work on releasing tight areas, building muscle and rectifying balance as well as strengthening the deep stabilising muscles and improving flexibility within the body.

The joints take a battering with tennis especially with harder surfaces such as tarmac or all-weather courts – knees, ankles and hips are especially at risk. Pilates classes are low impact, ideal for minimal wear or tear on the joints while many Pilates exercises strengthen the deep stabilising muscles providing support around the joints.

Agility can be enhanced via greater mobility, balance and stability.

Pilates helps develop strong core muscles to assist in dynamic balance and increases flexibility through the hips and spine helping a player reach shots with ease.

Pilates incorporates breath control and concentration into all exercises enhancing mental skills.

Pilates exercises that are brilliant for tennis players include any back extension or spinal movement exercises such as Swan, spinal twist, and lunges and hip twists plus many more.

NEW Classes are starting in September at The VICTORIA PARK TENNIS AND BRIDGE CLUB, in St Leonard's area of Exeter - opposite Exeter School on Thursday mornings. Please do get in touch to find out more