This workout's
for you if...

  • You want to combine many workouts into one.
  • You need someone to help push you.
  • You like to engage your mind while exercising.

Tennis

The Basics

Those who need a little competition to get the juices flowing may want to give tennis a try. With five-year-olds and 80-year-olds alike taking up the racket, anyone with access to a court and a partner (or a wall) can make this worldwide sport part of their fitness routine.

Swedish-born tennis legend Bjorn Borg famously called a tennis match “a thousand little sprints.” The quick intervals of intensity and rest improve the efficiency of your muscles’ use of oxygen, while the energy and cardiovascular boost helps burn fat and stave off heart attacks, strokes and heart disease.

Tennis also has the unique appeal of rolling the perks of strength training, agility and tactical thinking into one package. Players can expect to develop enhanced speed, balance and agility, in addition to sharpened reflexes and cognitive ability.

BONUS

Forget the crossword puzzles. Studies show that playing tennis is tactical learning at its finest, meaning it’s a major workout for your brain, too.

The Lingo

Love
Zero points

Deuce
When the score is tied 40 to 40

Fault
When the ball doesn’t land inside the court

Foot fault
When a server’s foot crosses the line while serving

Resources

TENNIS COURTS

Arkansas Tennis Association
Little Rock
Courts: Indoor and outdoor courts
Classes: Private and group lessons

The Center of Bryant at Bishop Park
Bryant
Courts: Outdoor courts

Jim Dailey Fitness & Aquatic Center
Little Rock
Courts: Outdoor courts

Little Rock Athletic Club
Little Rock
Courts: Indoor and outdoor courts
Classes: Private and group lessons

Little Rock Parks & Recreation
Little Rock
Parks with Tennis Courts: Allsopp, Benny Craig, Butler, Centennial, Dunbar, East Little Rock, Granite Heights, Hanger Hill, Hindman, Kanis, Meriwether, Morehart, Ottenheimer, Reservoir, Wakefield

Little Rock Racquet Club
Little Rock
Courts: Indoor and outdoor courts
Classes: Private and group lessons

North Little Rock Parks & Recreation
North Little Rock
Classes: Private and group lessons
Parks with Tennis Courts: Burns Park (six indoor, 17 lighted outdoor, seven unlighted outdoor), North Heights Community Center and Park (two outdoor), Sherman Park Community Center and Park (two outdoor), Rose City Park (two outdoor)

Rebsamen Tennis Center
(501) 664-0736, Little Rock
Courts: Outdoor courts
Classes: Private and group lessons

TENNIS RETAILERS

Little Rock Athletic Club
Little Rock
Products offered: Tennis and fitness clothing, shoes and gear

The Tennis Shoppe
Little Rock
Products offered: Tennis clothing and gear

The Time

1-2

hours per match

The Burn

420-620

calories per hour match
*Average sourced from Harvard Medical School