Would Working out make a difference?

[the hack]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

You want flexibility for power on your strokes. You want speed to cover the court (speed takes strong legs and core). The more you work out with these in mind, the better.
The pros have learned that the most strength with least body weight is best - a tough balance.

good for tennis, good for health

[MarinaHighTennis]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

What might be best is to play more 5.5 guys so it doesn't seem like the ball is hit super hard.
Get used to the speed.

I can play against them but I want to dictate the points more

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by MarinaHighTennis

I can play against them but I want to dictate the points more

You should try to hit a heavier ball then!

-Fuji

[LeeD]

I don't think you have to hit harder OR more spin.
What you gotta do is place the ball better into the sideline corners, deep.
Most 4.0's can hit hard enough when they have time to set.
All 4.0's cannot set early enough on every ball, and often miss the shots by going wide a foot or two, instead of getting it IN by a foot or two.
Work on placement.
McEnroe and Connors never hit hard, they just placed it really well near the sidelines, over and over again.
Lacking good placement, then you need to hit harder.

[Vertiz]

To compete with the best at your level and keep moving up you have to workout to play tennis, not play tennis as a workout. Ofc not saying that you are playing as a workout but just a little saying . Working out helps a lot and gives you more confidence on the court, but don't gain too much muscle or you'll lose touch,feel, form.

[NLBwell]

Originally Posted by MarinaHighTennis

I can play against them but I want to dictate the points more

Then take the ball earlier closer into the court.

[MarinaHighTennis]

status update: Well I've been working out the past 5 days and I have gotten a lot stronger. However, I played a match today (didnt play tennis the past 8 days) I felt very out of sync and couldn't hit a shot past 2 strokes as my arms felt very very weird. Anyways I lost the match but after more times practicing I started to feel my strokes and I was beating everyone on the team including the guy I lost to earlier. btw im playing comm college tennis

[UCSF2012]

If you're gonna lift, do low resistance training. You don't want bulk. You want muscle tone.

Actually, do low resistance quickly. Fast pull/push, slow release. Then maybe bike/jog an hour for cardio.

[NLBwell]

If you didn't play tennis for 8 days, your timing will be off.
Also, if you lifted prior to playing that same day, it will throw you off.

[MarinaHighTennis]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

If you didn't play tennis for 8 days, your timing will be off.
Also, if you lifted prior to playing that same day, it will throw you off.

I'm usually fine with first statement but as for the 2nd, its good to know that. So i guess the moral is, don't work out before tennis?

[TheCheese]

I find it hard to believe that you could make much noticeable difference working out for only 5 days.

[BaboFan]

Originally Posted by TheCheese

I find it hard to believe that you could make much noticeable difference working out for only 5 days.

i believe it. Hes using isometric bands. I've coached soccer and I have my players train with them and there is noticable improvement in their mile times within a few days (3 days) and they improve more and more as more days pass. Have you ever tried to bounce a volleyball with a tennis racket? Just bounce it against the ground. Then play tennis, huge huge difference as now you can slam the heck out of the tennis ball.

@marina: do not work out before playing tennis MATCHES. I wouldn't even recomend the volleyball bouncing technique because you will be messing up your muscle memory slightly. However, practice is fine

[nyc]

Originally Posted by MarinaHighTennis

status update: Well I've been working out the past 5 days and I have gotten a lot stronger.

That are some quick results!

What's your secret?

[MarinaHighTennis]

Originally Posted by nyc

That are some quick results!

What's your secret?

well stronger but not a lot haha. Man, you guys
strong enough to see the results

[luvforty]

Originally Posted by MarinaHighTennis

well stronger but not a lot haha. Man, you guys
strong enough to see the results

did you pull a Rafa? or Lance, or Serena

[MarinaHighTennis]

Originally Posted by luvforty

did you pull a Rafa? or Lance, or Serena

Chinese miracle medicine

[LeeD]

"WORKING OUT" pays it's dividends 6 months down the line, not now, or until then.
You mind has to adjust to your new body, and if you're body is changing, the mind lags behind a few months.
Workout now, reap the benefits by the middle of summer.

[mad dog1]

Originally Posted by MarinaHighTennis

status update: Well I've been working out the past 5 days and I have gotten a lot stronger. However, I played a match today (didnt play tennis the past 8 days) I felt very out of sync and couldn't hit a shot past 2 strokes as my arms felt very very weird. Anyways I lost the match but after more times practicing I started to feel my strokes and I was beating everyone on the team including the guy I lost to earlier. btw im playing comm college tennis

Originally Posted by TheCheese

I find it hard to believe that you could make much noticeable difference working out for only 5 days.

Originally Posted by nyc

That are some quick results!

What's your secret?

Originally Posted by LeeD

"WORKING OUT" pays it's dividends 6 months down the line, not now, or until then.
You mind has to adjust to your new body, and if you're body is changing, the mind lags behind a few months.
Workout now, reap the benefits by the middle of summer.

sorry, like some of the others have already said, 5 days isn't enough to build enough muscle to see a noticeable increase in strength. increasing strength like endurance happens over time. to build muscle and strength, the existing muscle has to be overworked to the point of fatigue to trigger the body to rebuild the muscle stronger to deal with the increased workload. only after you have a solid base will you see big gains in strength and muscle mass before you plateau. once you reach that plateau, you have to change up your routine to shock your muscles/body into dealing with a new increased workload.

and like LeeD mentions, it takes time to adjust to the additional muscle mass and strength. once you have greater strength, your racquet will feel like a feather which will alter your timing so you'll need time to adjust to that.

[Wilander Fan]

I found that being able to swing a heavier racket results in a more consistent game and you hit a better ball in general. However, you lose power and spin since your racket speed drops and this really hurts your serve and attacking game. I think ideally, you want to be able to play with the heaviest racket you can manage which means a little extra power can only help.

[GuyClinch]

It's true the pros workout. But the problem is the pros have spent significant on court time honing their strokes - lots more then average players are before they are even 15.

Once you have achieved excellent strokes and have great footwork there are gains to be made with fitness and athleticism. That's because the pros are evenly matched skill wise and fitness can seperate them.

I think young amateur players should concentrate on injury prevention with their workouts and just play alot of tennis.

Older players are going to have different priorities - with many athletes working out to maintain strength levels (and vanity) - and hoping to help their tennis some..

But the fastest way to get great at tennis is play alot of tennis under the watchful eye of other pros, IMHO. In short the higher your NTRP the more fitness is going to be a factor - unless you are grossly out of shape.