Is Mountain Biking Good for Tennis Players

Mcovie · 03-29-2008, 08:26 PM

Last year I bought a mountain bike, and I have been mountain biking for a about a year now. I am just wondering if it is to much of a strain for tennis players? Is it a good way to get in shape for tennis?

iplaybetter · 03-29-2008, 08:29 PM

i am a fairly serious road biker and yes biking helps, it builds you legs which is where a lot of you power comes from, i talso helps wit endurance

Max Winther · 03-29-2008, 09:30 PM

Yes, mountain biking is a great exersize for tennis. It builds legs and core very well, provides great cardio, and improves reaction time and decision making. Theres not a harder workout out there than a good 4 hour extreme cross country session.

superman1 · 03-30-2008, 02:09 AM

No, sitting on your *** is better for tennis.

chess9 · 03-30-2008, 04:07 AM

Well, he will be sitting on his *** for much of it.

Mountain biking rocks. Do it!

-Robert

iplaybetter · 03-30-2008, 08:56 AM

its fun, still i would rather do a nice 40mile ride doing like 17-20 average

watermantra · 03-30-2008, 09:32 AM

Just to reiterate other posts, mountain biking will improve your aerobics, your core, balance, and in my opinion, your sense of timing. It will also improve your quick decision making skills, which I think can translate into good match strategy. I also think that mountain biking even more so than other cycling events can also really increase your muscle power (as opposed to strength, which is a bit different) which can make you more explosive on the court. You might find yourself getting to balls you couldn't before mountain biking.

You should be aware of potential dangers, as with any sport. I did tear a rotator cuff in a race a couple of years ago. (Non-dominant, luckily!) I've also had some not so serious falls that injured me enough to keep me from playing for a week or two. Please, wear a helmet, no matter how dorky you think you look! In mountain biking it's not if you fall...not even when you fall...but how many times you fall! I would add good cycling specific gloves to that safety list, as well as good cycling glasses (interchangeable lenses are helpful, as you sometimes can't see in dark tinted glasses in the woods). If you're serious about tennis, you wouldn't want to jeopardize your future there. Don't attempt trails very far beyond your skill level, and make sure your equipment (bike) is well maintained.

Otherwise, ride and have fun! It is a blast!!

tennisplayer1981 · 03-30-2008, 01:54 PM

I own a mountain bike, but there aren't many trails around me. There is a concrete bike path that has hills and slopes near me. Is that just as good?

Mcovie · 03-30-2008, 03:12 PM

I am definitely going to try and get on my mtn bike more this summer. I didn't know if it was just much of a strain for someone playing tennis and going to the gym regularly

fuzz nation · 03-30-2008, 05:12 PM

Cycling is essential for my fitness and my legs are significantly more sound during the high season if I'm riding two or three times a week. I suggest it to my tennis pals routinely.

tbini87 · 03-30-2008, 06:27 PM

i love mountain bike riding, and agree that it is good for tennis. i think it would help in just about every sport. not to mention it is a blast and something you can enjoy doing with buddies without TOO much competition!

tenis · 03-31-2008, 07:56 PM

The best for your tennis is chatting on TW webside all day long. You'll save a lot energy for your game. Just kidding. Any activity is good for any sport!

FedererISBetter · 04-01-2008, 01:40 PM

I play 5.0 tennis and cannot bike, lol!! I need to learn asap!!! I'll give it a try this summer

03-29-2008, 08:26 PM	#1
Mcovie New User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5	Is Mountain Biking Good for Tennis Players Last year I bought a mountain bike, and I have been mountain biking for a about a year now. I am just wondering if it is to much of a strain for tennis players? Is it a good way to get in shape for tennis?

03-29-2008, 08:29 PM	#2
iplaybetter Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: behind you, but i have to be somewhere else by the time you look Posts: 3,441	i am a fairly serious road biker and yes biking helps, it builds you legs which is where a lot of you power comes from, i talso helps wit endurance __________________ saffin, man first, tennis player second I string 75% O3's, and i enjoy every one of them

03-29-2008, 09:30 PM	#3
Max Winther Semi-Pro Join Date: May 2007 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 556	Yes, mountain biking is a great exersize for tennis. It builds legs and core very well, provides great cardio, and improves reaction time and decision making. Theres not a harder workout out there than a good 4 hour extreme cross country session. __________________ 2x AG200 13.6 oz Blue Gear/Isospeed Baseline Spin 1x MW200g, 1x Mfil200g

03-30-2008, 04:07 AM	#5
chess9 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: 1.d4 Posts: 4,275	Well, he will be sitting on his *** for much of it. Mountain biking rocks. Do it! -Robert __________________ "Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."-Frost

03-30-2008, 08:56 AM	#6
iplaybetter Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: behind you, but i have to be somewhere else by the time you look Posts: 3,441	its fun, still i would rather do a nice 40mile ride doing like 17-20 average __________________ saffin, man first, tennis player second I string 75% O3's, and i enjoy every one of them