Tennis Time
Losing the winter weight the fun way
What better way to lose the winter weight than tennis? “It uses all the body’s major muscles, and it calms your mind because you get some of your stress out hitting the ball,” says Nancy Goss, a United States Professional Tennis Association teaching professional and manager of Colts Neck Racquet Club (732.431.9500, coltsneckraquetclub.com). “Plus, it’s fun.”
On the court, you’ll burn as many as 400–800 calories per hour (depending on your weight), lower your blood pressure and also give your brain a workout—strategy helps you win and keeps you sharp. And the game isn’t just for grownups. “Tennis is wonderful for kids because it gets them moving rather than sitting in front of a computer, and teaches them to work together as a team,” says Goss.
To avoid straining muscles, Goss suggests warming up for 10 minutes before playing, whether by doing simple stretches or by running around the court a few times. But keep in mind that rest is as important as exercise for getting—and staying—in shape. Don’t overextend yourself or go all-out all the time. Goss says one hour of play for singles and two hours for doubles is generally enough for one day.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tennis history enthusiasts should check out two New Jersey clubs that feature grass courts—a rare find these days. Orange Lawn Tennis Club in South Orange (orangelawn.com), founded in 1880 as one of the first tennis clubs in the United States, features 12 grass courts. It’s a private club but regularly hosts United States Tennis Association (USTA) grass events. The Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club in Rumson (sltcc.org) was also one of the nation’s first tennis clubs and has been named a National Historic Landmark. Membership is by invitation only, but this club is also the site of USTA tournaments.
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