Long Distance Running is NOT ideal for elite tennis. But is it best for us?

[HunterST]

So elite players may do a bit of long distance running, but mostly they're doing sprints, on court drills, etc.

For those of us with full time jobs, no full-time trainers, or ability to do hours of training per week (IE rec players), I'm wondering if running would be the best way to have on-court success.

For rec tennis players, I find stamina really becomes more like resistance to general fatigue. We don't hit hard enough that we have to move at the incredible speed that pros do. Sure, being fast helps, but, at this level, I find it's really more about being averagely fast (for an in-shape, healthy-weight person) and being able to maintain it.

Also, just being on your feet for an extended period of time and being used to exercising out in the heat is also quite important.

What do you think? Is running 15-20 miles per week good supplemental training for tennis?

 

[socallefty]

Just play tennis every day. Playing tennis is a great workout to keep the muscles you need for tennis in good shape. More than sprints and drills, pros and college players stay fit for tennis during the season by playing many hours every day. They do more off-season and between tournament workouts with sprints and other short running drills.

 

[LuckyR]

Sort of depends where you are and where you want to go. If you're an adult, you're likely trying to hold onto your level (against loss of level). If you're a junior you likely can improve your level, which may be important. Then the question becomes what are you improving? Footspeed or stamina? Long distance running can improve the latter, intervals or sprinting can improve the former.

 

[ddonk]

Tennis is (one of many) alactic-aerobic sports. Aerobic fitness is necessary to recover between points, and most points only need the alactic energy system.

I’d balance the two, or focus on a particularly weak one.

 

[PKorda]

not following the line of thinking, if it doesn't make sense for elite players why it would make sense for us? obv. we can't do the same level of training as pros but seems like the thinking of well can't do everything they do, i'll just run feels a little lazy (not that running 15-20 miles a week is lazy but that the approach is lazy).

 

[MyFearHand]

So elite players may do a bit of long distance running, but mostly they're doing sprints, on court drills, etc.

For those of us with full time jobs, no full-time trainers, or ability to do hours of training per week (IE rec players), I'm wondering if running would be the best way to have on-court success.

For rec tennis players, I find stamina really becomes more like resistance to general fatigue. We don't hit hard enough that we have to move at the incredible speed that pros do. Sure, being fast helps, but, at this level, I find it's really more about being averagely fast (for an in-shape, healthy-weight person) and being able to maintain it.

Also, just being on your feet for an extended period of time and being used to exercising out in the heat is also quite important.

What do you think? Is running 15-20 miles per week good supplemental training for tennis?

Sprints honestly take less time so I feel like they’re more ideal for a busier adult schedule.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

Sprints honestly take less time so I feel like they’re more ideal for a busier adult schedule.

Sprints are probably also better for building leg muscle, and more specific to tennis.

I can't think of any good reason why long distance running would be more beneficial for tennis than sprints, so unless you really enjoy it, what's the point?

 

[esgee48]

BITD, we did short 50 yard sprints, followed by walking 50 yards to recover. Then we did the cycle again up to 10 times. Now I do 100 yard sprints, walk 100 yards 2-3 times on a HS track near me. This works for me since body type is skinny. YMMV.

If I have the time, I may do 1 or 2 miles on the track. But the interval training ime is more valuable.

 

[HunterST]

not following the line of thinking, if it doesn't make sense for elite players why it would make sense for us? obv. we can't do the same level of training as pros but seems like the thinking of well can't do everything they do, i'll just run feels a little lazy (not that running 15-20 miles a week is lazy but that the approach is lazy).

I guess my thought was general fitness activities like steady state cardio might make more sense than elite, specialized training for the average person.

 

[mad dog1]

I guess my thought was general fitness activities like steady state cardio might make more sense than elite, specialized training for the average person.

Nope.

 

[HunterST]

BITD, we did short 50 yard sprints, followed by walking 50 yards to recover. Then we did the cycle again up to 10 times. Now I do 100 yard sprints, walk 100 yards 2-3 times on a HS track near me. This works for me since body type is skinny. YMMV.

If I have the time, I may do 1 or 2 miles on the track. But the interval training ime is more valuable.

That sounds like a great workout. However, it's pretty intense and probably requires going to a track. Whereas people can go on a 30 minute run before work and not be completely exhausted.
My thought is just that consistent running is easier and more accessible, and therefore more effective overall.

 

[mad dog1]

That sounds like a great workout. However, it's pretty intense and probably requires going to a track. Whereas people can go on a 30 minute run before work and not be completely exhausted.
My thought is just that consistent running is easier and more accessible, and therefore more effective overall.

Yes, it is more accessible but no, it is not the most effective.

 

[HunterST]

Yes, it is more accessible but no, it is not the most effective.

I meant most effective in the sense that you actually end up doing it. Again, I'm talking about coming up with a realistic approach for rec players.

 

[mad dog1]

I meant most effective in the sense that you actually end up doing it. Again, I'm talking about coming up with a realistic approach for rec players.

15 mins of fast feet drills with cones in the backyard are far more effective for tennis than steady state running for 30 mins.

 

[Funbun]

I meant most effective in the sense that you actually end up doing it. Again, I'm talking about coming up with a realistic approach for rec players.

Intuitive Tennis has some videos on wall drills; very accessible and very excellent when you truly don't have a partner.

The wall overheads are especially killer but really help on a stroke that very few people practice.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

I meant most effective in the sense that you actually end up doing it. Again, I'm talking about coming up with a realistic approach for rec players.

You're right that something you can do consistently is way better than something you don't stick to.

But that's subjective, some people probably prefer sprinting and would stick to that due to preference, others would be more likely to stick to distance running.

I don't see one as more realistic than the other.

 

[6-Love]

I do cycling to keep my endurance up. It's easier on the joints than running.

 

[WildVolley]

I do cycling to keep my endurance up. It's easier on the joints than running.

I agree. Riding an e-bike around has given me a noticeable boost in endurance without getting the increased impact from distance running. I'm already playing tennis and a little basketball, and doing jump and sprint training, so I don't need the extra impact from distance running.

I think distance running can be a great method for getting more fit, but it certainly isn't ideal for everyone.

 

[movdqa]

Run if you enjoy running. I'm a runner and I spend more time running than playing tennis because running is just a ton more convenient. I enjoy tennis as well but logistics are somewhat harder.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

What do you consider LONG distan running? 10 kms?

 

[LuckyR]

Jogging won't help your footspeed.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

So elite players may do a bit of long distance running, but mostly they're doing sprints, on court drills, etc.

For those of us with full time jobs, no full-time trainers, or ability to do hours of training per week (IE rec players), I'm wondering if running would be the best way to have on-court success.

For rec tennis players, I find stamina really becomes more like resistance to general fatigue. We don't hit hard enough that we have to move at the incredible speed that pros do. Sure, being fast helps, but, at this level, I find it's really more about being averagely fast (for an in-shape, healthy-weight person) and being able to maintain it.

Also, just being on your feet for an extended period of time and being used to exercising out in the heat is also quite important.

What do you think? Is running 15-20 miles per week good supplemental training for tennis?

For tennis stamina you need both aerobic fitness as well as anaerobic fitness. Some ppl can derive both from wind sprints / interval training (like HIIT) but many will not develop an adequate aerobic fitness w/I some sort of extended cardio training. Long distance running can be an effective way to develop an adequate aerobic base for tennis -- if you enjoy it and your feet / knees / hips can take the impact. Cycling, swimming or some other aerobic exercise can often achieve the results with less stress on the feet & joints.

 

[HunterST]

I do cycling to keep my endurance up. It's easier on the joints than running.

I agree it's great. My worry with cycling is getting hit by a car haha.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I agree it's great. My worry with cycling is getting hit by a car haha.

Ppl on exercise bikes rarely get hit by cars

 

[socallefty]

If you play tennis on hard courts, you don’t want to bang up your knees further by running long-distance on hard asphalt. So, if you run, make sure you run on an unpaved soft trail.

 

[Rosstour]

That sounds like a great workout. However, it's pretty intense and probably requires going to a track. Whereas people can go on a 30 minute run before work and not be completely exhausted.
My thought is just that consistent running is easier and more accessible, and therefore more effective overall.

Everyone is telling you no and I'm gonna also tell you no lol

Distance running isn't great for you, it breaks down the very muscles we need to accelerate and brake around the court

Literally anything is better. Do a couple sprints, or jumping jacks, or pushups if you want to maximize your time...but distance running is so counterproductive to what we are trying to do out there

 

[Daniel Andrade]

BITD, we did short 50 yard sprints, followed by walking 50 yards to recover. Then we did the cycle again up to 10 times. Now I do 100 yard sprints, walk 100 yards 2-3 times on a HS track near me. This works for me since body type is skinny. YMMV.

If I have the time, I may do 1 or 2 miles on the track. But the interval training ime is more valuable.

"Yards"

 

[Roforot]

Limited time. Id favor yoga, core strength, and jump roping.
you can geta yoga book or follow one of many online practitioners.
Core strength depends what you’re weak on but in general things like wall angels, planks, and monster walks.

Now if you enjoy running or have a group you want to run with go ahead And have fun.

 

[socallefty]

Do Pilates. That is what my wife does when she is not playing tennis. Me, I just play a lot of tennis.

Pilates: What It Is, How It Works, and More

Learn more about Pilates, a strength-building mind-body exercise style developed by Joseph Pilates.

www.webmd.com

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

"Yards"

Just think of a yard as a meter that shrunk a few INCHES after it was washed & dried