Want to get fit playing tennis in Shrewsbury?

If you’re looking for a new sport to try, why not give tennis a go? Here at The Shrewsbury Club, we offer a number of high quality tennis programmes, giving members the perfect chance to embrace their inner Andy Murray or Heather Watson! Tennis with us is an all-year round sport: you can enjoy the sunshine on one of our outdoor courts or come inside and use our Aegon-level indoor courts. With a number of world-renowned scientists advocating tennis as ‘one of the best sports for you to play’ in terms of health benefits, it’s not only enjoyable but also very good for you (1).

Health Benefits

If you fancy complementing your Shrewsbury Club gym or class workouts, tennis is a fun, full body workout. On average, an hour of play burns a massive 600 calories for men, and up to 420 calories for women (2). Great for both your aerobic and anaerobic fitness, the short, intense bursts of energy between serves are fantastic for increasing your heart rate and getting blood pumping around your body. When smashing that volley back, you’re building arm strength, and sprinting around the court strengthens your leg muscles. The fast nature of the game increases your reaction times, as well as improving flexibility as you leap up for those high balls.

In our Adult Tennis Programme, our Cardio Tennis classes are a vital part of the coaching, as well as being very popular with members. To view the range of our adult tennis classes, or to have a free trial if you’re a club member, click here.

Helps you live longer

Tennis players don’t just benefit from a healthier life, but also a longer one. Physician Ralph Paffenbarger’s research shows that ‘people who participate in tennis three hours per week cut their risk of death in half, from any cause’ (1). How? Playing the sport boosts your immune system to help you fight off bugs, which massively supports your overall health. In addition, tennis can reduce stress, which in turn reduces the pressure on your heart and lowers your chance of suffering a heart attack. Lung health in tennis players is also improved, as well as a lower risk of developing diabetes. There’s no doubt about it, taking up tennis can dramatically improve your life expectancy (3).

Impact on mental wellbeing

So we know tennis is superb for our physical health, but it’s also hugely beneficial for psychological wellbeing. Studies carried out at Southern Connecticut State University show that tennis players score high in optimism and self-esteem assessments, and lower in depression and anxiety levels, in comparison to other athletes (1). Focusing on a tennis match allows you to forget the stresses of modern life, while at the same time driving your brain to concentrate on strategy and tactical thinking in order to win.

Ideal for children

The beauty of tennis is that everyone can play – no matter what your age. It is extremely popular with children at The Shrewsbury Club, combining fun with valuable learning opportunities. Wimbledon champion Andy Murray began playing at the tender age of two and clearly never looked back (4). Tennis can encourage young players to solve problems, plan ahead and implement strategies when playing competitively, as well as promoting good sportsmanship. Although an individual sport, our popular tennis coaching sessions give children the chance to make new friends and develop their social skills.

You can click here to find out more about children’s tennis at The Shrewsbury Club.

Endless opportunities

The rewards of tennis are incomparable: in terms of physical and mental health, as well as the social side of the sport. So why not sign up for a tennis taster session today? Or if you’re already a fan, we have options for experienced players to further improve their skills: our coaching sessions and competitions are tailored to suit a wide range of ages and abilities. Ranging from our ‘Tots and Parents’ lessons (where we have children as young as three) up to opportunities for the most advanced players to take part in regional tournaments, there truly is something for everybody. And again even if we don’t lots of summer sunshine, our all-weather outdoor courts are ready and waiting. So there are no excuses!

If you’d like a tour of our tennis facilities and perhaps meet one of two of the coaches, arrange your visit here.

 

1. Groppel, J.  (2015) Health Benefits of Tennis – Why Play Tennis? Sport Science – USTA. Available from: http://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Sport-Science/114688_Health_Benefits_of_Tennis_Why_Play_Tennis/ [Accessed:30^th July 2015]
2. Better Health Channel (2015) Tennis – Health Benefits. Available from: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Tennis [Accessed:30th July 2015]
3. Beck, C. (2014) Top 10 Health Benefits if Playing Tennis – Health & Wellbeing, Tesco Living. Available from: http://www.tescoliving.com/health-and-wellbeing/fitness/2014/may/top-10-health-benefits-of-playing-tennis [Accessed: 30^th July 2015]
4. Conn, D. (2008) Why the making of a home grown Wimbledon champion will be anything but child’s play – Wimbledon – Tennis, The Guardian. Available from: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jul/02/wimbledon.tennis8 [Accessed: 30^th July 2015]