Improve Your Tennis In The Freeezzzzing Cold

My tennis lesson just got cancelled - Thank God! - because it is just too dang cold to be outside this morning. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up on working on my game! So what can you do to sharpen your tennis when the weather turns frigid and you can't leave the house? Here are some great ideas:

1. Get your heart rate up with cardio work. This can be with workout videos you have on hand, your Wii system (I love My Fitness Coach for this but NOT My Fitness Coach 2), putting that treadmill or stationary bike to good use, or even running up and down stairs in your house (yuck, I know).

2. Build your muscles with weights. You don't need a workout bench, a full barbell set and a spotter for this. Hand weights in the 5 to 10 pound range are more than adequate to give your arms a nice tennis-specific workout.

3. Stretch out with yoga. There are great DVDs out there (I have several that I like from Gaiam) that can help you with muscle tone, balance, relaxation and breathing - all things we need to play great tennis.

4. Improve your game by watching something instructional. If you've got the Tennis Channel (like me! - Guess Who Has the Tennis Channel?), then you can be sure there's something worth watching, especially right now since we are in between big tournaments. You might also have some great tennis DVDs or videos that you can view to help your game (let me know of any you like as I need to do a post on those!). And if you've got neither of these on hand, go on-line! I've posted about some great on-line sources for tennis info here: Surfing For Tennis Tips.

5. Read about tennis! There are tons and tons of great tennis books out there. Right now I'm reading several that I'll post about soon. Here are some favs that I've already told you about (click on the title and you'll go right to my post on that book!):

• Extraordinary Tennis for the Ordinary Player
• Tennis Beyond Big Shots
• Vic Braden's Laugh and Win at Doubles
• Tennis and the Meaning of Life
• The Best Tennis of Your Life

This post originally appeared on Tennis Fixation's blog page on the Tennis Now website. Click here to read this and other great Tennis Fixation posts on Tennis Now!




© Kim Selzman 2011 All Rights Reserved

Quick Tennis Fix: Get Your Racquets Out Of The Car!

I almost learned my lesson this morning. The weather is frigid, the roads are icy, and my husband wanted to take my larger and heavier (than his) car to work. And I was supposed to play indoor tennis indoor later in the morning. Despite the fact that I know I should not keep my tennis racquets in my car (see Quick Tennis Fix: Take Care Of Your Racquet), I had a light bulb moment in the shower this morning when I realized that's exactly where my tennis bag was - in my car. With my racquets. And I wasn't sure if my husband had already left with my car and racquets. I hopped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around me, and ran to the garage. Fortunately, my car was still there. I hid my car keys (so he couldn't drive off) and got back in the shower. I retrieved my tennis bag later, as he was leaving. Those racquets are the key to my success in tennis (ha!) so why can't I remember:

Do not leave your tennis racquets in your car! Whatever the weather - freezing cold or sweltering heat - this is not a good place to store your most expensive piece of tennis equipment.




© Kim Selzman 2011 All Rights Reserved

Dress To Play Great Tennis In The Cold

Does your tennis ball look like this?

I want to play tennis outside but its just so cold!

Here in the U.S., we are all being absolutely hammered weather-wise with record-setting cold temperatures and mounds and mounds of snow across the country. In Houston, where I play, we don't have the snow but we've definitely got the cold. Its been down in the 30's recently and, while I know that doesn't sound too bad if you're reading this in Massachusetts or Ohio, I also know you're not trying to play outdoor tennis in December. But we're attempting it here in Houston.

So, for those of us who can get outside for tennis in this FREEEEEZING weather, what do you wear to play your best without getting frostbite? How do you stay "in-it-to-win-it" when you really just want to stay "in-the-house-and-drink-hot-chocolate"?

The secret to playing, and enjoying, any outdoor sport in this icy weather is to wear lots and lots of layers. I know - its uncomfortable to swing at balls in a bulky ensemble. But its even worse to stiffen up because you're numb with cold. Here's how I layer on the gear to achieve maximum warmth with minimum interference:

The top looks like this:

• tank top (a racer back tank with built-in bra cuts down on the bulk)
• long-sleeved wicking t-shirt
• fleece pullover or hoodie
• ski-type vest (the best option) or jacket (I have one that's quilted and not too heavy) (and pink!)

On the bottom?

• tights (of course)
• yoga pants (my preference, ball can be tucked in the back) or skort (ball gets tucked into the shorts)
• wind pants (just for getting out on the court and maybe for warm-up, I for one cannot play in these)

And the rest of the outfit:

• hat (while a ski-type hat may seem necessary, even a regular baseball-type cap will keep your head warm)
• gloves (maybe, I can warm-up in gloves but can't play in them, if I need gloves to play, its too cold to play)
• scarf (OK, this is totally worn just for looks, I have way too many cute winter scarves for living in Houston)

The great thing about layers is they can be removed or added to as needed. You warm up with the big coat, the wind pants and the gloves but then take those off once your blood is pumping and you're ready to move. You get down to your t-shirt after the first set but then add back the fleece pullover if the sky gets overcast or the wind picks up.

I know you're like me - you want to play tennis all the time, even when it feels like you're whacking at snowballs. Wearing layers is a good way to make sure that, even in the winter, you're out on the court working on your game.


For more great tips on playing in the cold, check out this Tennis Fixation post: Cold Weather Tennis.



© Kim Selzman 2011 All Rights Reserved

It's Snowing On My Tennis Courts!

It's snowing here in Houston! Here are a few pics I took when I was at my club playing indoors this morning. I know its hard to tell but the blurry white stuff in the photos is the snow.

So while we previously talked about how to get out and play Cold Weather Tennis, honestly, you can't play in this stuff. So what is everyone doing to keep in tennis shape when the weather's this bad? Comment below and let me know!





© Kim Selzman 2009
All Rights Reserved

Cold Weather Tennis

Last week I played tennis where temperatures started out in the (get ready for this) 40's! Here in Houston that is FREEEEEZZZZING!  OK, I know. That's not really very cold at all.  In fact, on both mornings, it went from being a little chilly at the beginning of each match to being pretty darn warm by the end. But I live in Texas because I like hot weather and the thought of wearing tights under a tennis skirt - Yuck!  Not the tennis fashion statement I'm looking to make.

But, the reality is, its time to think about cold weather tennis.  If you're a true die-hard tennis player, you want to play even when it gets pretty darn chilly.  So the issue becomes what to wear and how to play on these frosty days (or nights).  Here are some tips that might make your next cold weather match more enjoyable:

• Wear layers. Lots and lots of layers. If I think I'm going to be playing in the cold, I wear a whole lot of layers.  On top:  racer-back tank, long-sleeved sports t-shirt made of some type of dry-wick fabric, sweat shirt or long-sleeved cotton t-shirt, hoodie, sleeveless ski vest.  On bottom:  tights under skirt with built-in shorts (meaning those tights are staying on) or long yoga pants that will securely hold the ball in the back at the waist (see below).  On my head:  a baseball-type hat.  I don't ever wear a visor because it makes my hair look weird.  I don't wear a ski hat for the same reason (unless I'm skiing and then I don't really care because everyone's hair looks weird then).  So with all of these layers on, you can see its easy to start peeling the clothes off as I get warmer and, in fact, I would rather be a little bit chilly than play with all of this bulk so I never actually play a match with this much stuff on.
• Make sure what you wear on the bottom allows you to hold onto a tennis ball.  Deciding what to wear on the bottom is the big cold-weather issue for me because it has to be something that allows me to hold onto a second ball without any possibility of it falling out since I know from previous posts that I can't call a let for something I cause myself like a ball falling out of my pants and rolling around on the court (click on these posts for more info:  Tennis Lets-Get It Right! and Update on the Loose Balls Issue).  And I don't like those little ball holder thingys that some people wear.  If you're OK wearing one of those thingys, this won't be as big of an issue for you.  So if I wear tights, I have to have a skirt with shorts on top so I can tuck a ball into the shorts.  And if I wear pants, they have to be yoga pants that fit well enough that I can tuck a ball into the waistband in back without any possibility of it falling out or down into my pants.  Nice visual there.
• Wear gloves.  I have cotton running gloves in my bag that i like and at least get me started during warm-up.  They provide a little more traction and "feel" than some of the cheap double-knit gloves.  A lot of people use Isotoner style driving gloves.  I just never remember to buy those so I stick with my running gloves.  I usually take them off by the time the match actually starts as I know I'll play better if my hands are a little cold but I can actually feel my racquet.
• Wear sunscreen.  Even though its cold, it can still be pretty sunny and that means sunscreen is a must.  And, if you start taking off layers on top, be sure you protect your shoulders and any other exposed skin from the sun.  This is why spray-on sunscreen is great - its quick and easy to apply and can be done during a changeover.
  
• Wear lip balm.  Cold weather usually means dry weather and often means wind.  I never notice having chapped lips when its hot outside.  But when its cold - sandpaper!  So avoid chapped lips by keeping a good lip balm (hopefully with sunscreen) in your bag.
  
• Keep hydrated.  When the weather's hot, its easy to remember to drink and keep hydrated.  When its cold, its not so easy.  But you can get dehydrated and suffer the effects of that just as easily in the cold.  So keep drinking during your match.  
• Be prepared for the cold weather game.  You'll find that, when its cold outside, the tennis balls are just not as bouncy.  So be ready to hit harder and deeper than you're used to and come into the net a lot (which you should be doing in doubles anyway).  This will help compensate for the ball being a little "dead" feeling.

© Kim Selzman 2009
All Rights Reserved