physical benefits

Tennis does a body good!

At its highest levels, tennis is a physically grueling and demanding sport requiring strength, flexibility, endurance and speed. However, the physical benefits reach far beyond world-ranked ATP or WTA professionals; beginners and intermediate levels also reap the benefits that tennis has on the body with increased physical fitness, heart benefits, and much more.

Tennis is one of the only sports you can play all your life, from the youngest ages to the oldest. It gives you all the benefits of working out in a gym, but it’s much more fun, exciting and social. Tennis can be the answer to virtually any type of issue. Want to lose weight? Want to get in better shape and tone muscles? Want to keep your mind sharp and reduce stress? Want to make more friends and expand your social network? Think tennis.

Tennis not only is the sport for a lifetime, but it’s the sport for a longer, healthier and more complete lifetime.

Play 3 hours of tennis a week and you’ll cut your risk of death in half from any cause, according to a Harvard University study of 10,000 people during a 20-year period.

GET FIT

Lose weight, burn calories. One hour of singles play can burn between 600 and 900 calories depending on your weight, says the Mayo Clinic. Play a few times a week and feel great about the impact on your fitness.

LIVE LONGER

Yep, it’s true. Playing tennis helps you live longer. Studies have shown that playing 3 hours of tennis per week can reduce your risk of heart-related diseases by 56%.

TENNIS KEEPS YOUR HEART HEALTHY

The Cleveland Clinic says tennis is “an ideal sport for a healthy heart”. And a Johns Hopkins study showed that middle-aged men who played tennis - more than any other activity - had a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease as they aged.

STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART, MUSCLES AND BONES

Constant movement works out both your upper and lower body. No matter what your age, weight-bearing activities like tennis are important for bone health, according to the National Institutes of Health.

TENNIS IMPROVES FLEXIBILITY

When you play tennis, you’re working all your limbs, joints and muscles. An expert panel at ESPN ranked tennis in the top 12 out of 60 sports in terms of flexibility.

COORDINATION and REFLEXES

Playing tennis involves several skills that all contribute to great eye-hand coordination. The sport also contributes to better reflexes, increased agility, and a better sense of balance.