Preparing for Saddlebrook-Adult in July

[pinetree47]

After much research and input from others in this Forum, I decided on Saddlebrook for an Adult Camp. I will stay for 5 days

Can anyone provide me feedback on the best way to prepare for a camp in July based on their experiences? I am a 3.5 player (at the lower end) and late 40's.

Currently, I am putting most of my emphasis on cardio, including interval training in the heat of the day. Also, this time of the year I am working in the heat anyway, so I do not think heat and humidity will be the issue. Second flexibility, and third strength. However, I do not want to over-do and risk injury or burn-out before I get there!!

Thanks!

 

[Geezer Guy]

Congrats PT47 - that sounds like a lot of fun. I've not been to Saddlebrook myself, but have a friend whose gone there a couple of times and I've heard good things about it.

What you've BEEN doing sounds good to me. If you have a history of cramping in the past, you might consider taking some magnesium and potassium suppliments with you when you go - and taking them every day whether you think you'll need them or not.

You'll be playing 5 - 6 hours a day, and more if you do some after hours hitting. Most of that will be in the heat of the day. You'll be sweating a lot, and you'll need to replace all those electrolytes.

Good luck - have fun - start out easy the first day or two.

 

[todd03blown]

wow that sounds like a fun time!! What does something like this cost? Just curious.

 

[pinetree47]

Saddlebrook Cost Reply to Todd

If you go during the low season (summer months) I think the daily rate for a full day of tennis (Adult Camp) is $125 for a min. of 5 days. This is compared to about $150 per day the rest of the year. Also, the room rates are highly discounted during the summer. With the tennis package, breakfast is included, as well as juice / fruit / gatorade breaks during the day. Also, the airfare to Tampa this time of year is dirt cheap.

It is not something I would do every year, but from comments from others, it sounds like a good deal. Also, I considered staying at my club this summer, but that is $55.00/hour for lessons, plus about $100/month for adult clinics. So, it is pretty much a wash, plus you get a new perspective.

 

[jayg]

saddlebrook experience.

i went there 2 years ago, and like you i am 3.5 m in late 40 's for a 5 day trip in may. the humidity and heat is really tough, and I'm from texas and in good shape ! where are you from? are you used to the humidity ? anyway i reccommend bringing lots of tennis clothes and a light colored hat/shirts as you will be using 2/3 changes a day !. the training ratio of pros to guests was really low when i was there. like 2-4 per pro per day. they were very helpful and i found most folks there about the same as me. I wish they did more video work and match play, thats my only complaint . otherwise it was good, the rooms were excellent, the food in the restauran's was great. go for the lunch buffet between the morning and afternoon session, and be sure to go to the pa and get a massage... you'll need it. if i go again i will go for three days.. i liked a guy named John the best.. if you need a workut you can go to the academy gym like i did as well.. good luck and let me know outcome...

 

[pinetree47]

Jayg - Saddlebrook

Jayg-Thanks for your feedback!

I have no problem with the heat and humidity, from N. Carolina near the coast. I work quite a bit outside in the summer, so I hope that will not be a problem.

I was more concerned with building up my endurance. Workout Clinics that I go to here are constant feeding of groundstrokes out wide, with overheads, approches thrown in at random for a non-stop hour, etc. Is this what I should expect at Saddlebrook, or are there breaks in the drills with some instruction, etc?

When reading some posts on Saddlebrook, it sounds more like a marathon than some drills mixed in with instruction. Others say that approach is no longer the case, and it is not as hard-core as several years ago. I am just trying to separate the fact from the fiction.

 

[aldekeuk]

Workout Clinics that I go to here are constant feeding of groundstrokes out wide, with overheads, approches thrown in at random for a non-stop hour, etc. Is this what I should expect at Saddlebrook, or are there breaks in the drills with some instruction, etc?

When reading some posts on Saddlebrook, it sounds more like a marathon than some drills mixed in with instruction. Others say that approach is no longer the case, and it is not as hard-core as several years ago. I am just trying to separate the fact from the fiction.

Pinetree47

I went to Saddlebrook in Feb-07 and would say that it really depends a lot on the instructor you get in any given session. Some are just feeding you balls non-stop, others do more situational / point-type drills, and others mix instruction into the drills. it all just depends - some sessions i would come off exhausted while others i felt ok and would go hit with some of the guys afterwards. I would just say that if you wind up with an instructor in one of your sessions that you do not like, just let the staff know - they are pretty concerned about the participants being happy and enjoying their experience

 

[tennisally]

Pinetree47 when are you going to be there?

 

[Aeropro master]

How bad is the humidity comparde to somewhere like cincinnati?

 

[pinetree47]

Saddlebrook Experience

Just returned from 5 days and wanted to share my thoughts. I have been to three other resorts / camps, etc, and feel like I can make some valid comparisons.

First, the overall experience at Saddlebrook exceeded my expectations. Why? Not only quality instruction, but a high level of customer service demonstrated by everyone including the Director, Howard Moore as well as the Pros I worked with. Also, the level of enthusiasm from the tennis staff added to an enjoyable time. Any concerns I had on instruction, court assignments, etc. were addressed within minutes, not hours! If needed, I was given one-on-one lessons for up to 4 hours with excellent Pros to address certain strokes, issues.

Other: Unlike other resorts / camps I have attended, all those in the program at Saddlebrook when I was there, regardless of level / ability, etc, were very compatiable. I believe the staff added to this positive atmosphere.

Also, although I had prepared myself physically for the heat and 5 hours of tennis a day through interval training and other workouts, it was still a struggle the first two days. If you go in summer months, a min. of two to three pairs of shoes for 5 days is needed. Also, two to three changes of clothes a day, esp. shirts / socks. There are washers / dryers in available, which I used each night.

 

[pinetree47]

Humidity Compared to Cincy

I have lived in the ******* and the Deep South. The humidity in the area of Saddlebrook is extreme during the summer months. As an example, I placed my shoes on the balcony to dry late each afternoon. By the next morning, they had adsorbed additional moisture from the humidity, rather than dry out.

Also, I had forgotten how intense the sun is in Florida in the summer. I normally do not wear a hat when playing tennis, but I went thru two caps a day while there.

So, comapred to Cincy, it is no comparison. Although in good shape and spending most of my time working outdoors in the summer, I went through about 10 to 15 liters of water and sports drinks from morning to night to stay adequately hydrated. I have experienced complete dehydration years ago, I did not want to go thru that again!

That said, going in the summer months and spending 5+ days is a great way to get in shape.

 

[Geezer Guy]

Thanks for the review. I want to go to Saddlebrooke the next time I'm in that area - although it'll probably just be for a morning or afternoon. Were there very many that just attended a single session or day, or was everyone there the entire 5 days?

 

[chair ump]

Don't forget LOTS of sunscreen...I went there for 3 days a couple years ago, and on the first day by the end of the morning session, I was a lobster...live and learn. No wonder lots of instructors there wear white shirts and white long pants.

 

[pinetree47]

Reply to Geezer Guy

Each day there were folks that came for just one day. A few said they came only for the am, but decided to stay for the pm as well. The program is set so you can come any day of the week. The am session is 3 hrs., the pm is 2 hrs.

But, it took me at least two days to really get a feel of what the program had to offer. If there are only a few people as it is in the summer, the morning is mainly drills, and the afternoon 1 hr drills, 1 hr playing points, mainly doubles.

If you go for just a day, first thing in the am before starting, talk to the Pros if you have any specific things you want to work on. If they know you are just there for a short time, they will do their best to satisfy your needs.