Let’s hear it for Cardio, the latest podcasts and fitness wins for all ages
by Ruth Jarvis
SELT Team
Our Cardio Tennis classes are a hugely popular part of our programme, attracting a devoted crowd of regulars. For the uninitiated, cardio is a high-intensity fitness class based around tennis that combines short sprints and agility exercises with hitting drills and fun and fast games based on real play.
Cardio doesn’t require prior tennis experience, and we use slower balls to keep the action going. As well as burning calories, it improves cardiovascular health, boosts metabolism and enhances your agility. It’s fast paced, social and a great fun alternative to a traditional gym workout – but don’t just take our word for it, listen to what our Cardio regulars have to say…
‘Cardio is the most fun I’ve ever had exercising. I never clock-watch, and being outdoors is a massive bonus! It has a completely different energy to the gym. I look forward to cardio every week, as much for the camaraderie as the exercise. We are always running and laughing at the same time! There’s a real support network there as well.’
–Emily
‘I was a bit nervous about competitive tennis, so doing cardio was perfect as I got to play tennis but not worry about my serve and so on. It’s fun fitness, and it makes me feel awesome. I love being outside; I couldn’t go to a sweaty gym, especially in the summer. Being out in the sun playing tennis is magical. It’s the best start to the weekend.’
–Katie
‘Cardio is a really fun and energising way to stay fit. It’s also good for my overall wellbeing not just because it improves my fitness, my agility and response times but because of the social aspect – I can honestly say I have made real friends through cardio tennis.’
–Claire
‘Cardio makes my body feel worked without working out. It’s super fun and great energy! I often run and running is hard work, but with cardio it’s all enjoyment, and yet at the end of a session I’ve often run nearly 5km without putting in a huge amount of effort!’
–Tamasen
‘I love cardio because I love feeling connected: to something I did when I was young, enjoyed then and still enjoy now; and to my community.’
–Maggie
‘Cardio doesn’t feel like exercise, because it’s fun! Great music, great people, very supportive; and I have massively improved my tennis in the five years I’ve been playing. It’s great to catch up with the regulars. We definitely don’t take it too seriously and it’s not super competitive. Everyone understands if you’re rusty or a newbie and no one judges.’
–Nicola
‘Cardio sorts me out completely! It just resets my nervous system and gets all my endorphins bubbling. It’s a special part of my week, an hour for myself and the best fun.’
– Lisa
‘I first took up cardio tennis on a bit of a whim. I’d enjoyed tennis at school (a long time ago!) and thought it might be a fun way to get some exercise. And it absolutely has been. Two years and many sessions later, I’ve finally found a way to keep fit that I genuinely look forward to. I always finish in a great mood, feeling like I’ve had a proper workout, and the time flies by. An unexpected bonus has been the lovely people I’ve met. I enjoy catching up with the regulars, meeting new players and spending time with the fantastic coaches who are always motivating and supportive. I’d encourage anyone who fancies picking up a tennis racket and having some fun to give it a go – you won’t regret it!’
–Victoria
🎾 SELT runs frequent cardio classes at Ladywell Fields, Manor House Gardens and Telegraph Hill. Book here.
🏆 A recent study of nearly 10,000 children aged 9-10 found that those who play ‘open-skill’ sports – specifically tennis – exhibit notably better working memory and inhibitory control, calling it a ‘full-brain workout’ for youth because of the constant, rapid adaptation. This mental demand works the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for academic focus, planning, and emotional regulation.
🏆 It’s well established that regular exercise helps reduce the risk of developing dementia, including in Alzheimer’s, in later life, by as much as 45%. Now a new study shows that this effect kicks in during midlife, from the age of 45.
🏆 And it’s never too late to start. A new analysis by the British Medical Journal has found that even if you only start to raise your exercise levels in older age, you can reduce your risk of mortality by up to 25%. And tennis and pickleball are widely recognised as some of the best ways for older people to stay active.
We’re still in the winter virus season, and few people escape unscathed. But how do you know when to put that cold to bed and when to take it out onto the tennis court and boost your mood and immune defences with some exercise?
The general advice for treating colds and other respiratory infections is to rest, which allows your body’s systems to direct their resources towards healing and prevent the stress of high-energy activities from adding to their load. This applies particularly if you are experiencing symptoms below your neck (such as a chesty cough), have a fever or are suffering from nausea, in which case you should resist the urge to continue your exercise routine and retire gracefully to the sofa until a few days after your symptoms have resolved. There is no such thing as ‘pushing through’ a cold.
However, if you are just suffering from a head cold and perhaps a sore throat, and are feeling up to it, some gentle tennis can improve your symptoms and clear your head both literally and metaphorically. It will help unblock your nasal passages, boost your metabolism and appetite and improve your sleep, which is where much of your healing needs to happen.
The first time back, don’t overdo things. Rally rather than playing competitively, go for doubles rather than singles and listen to your body if it wants to knock off early. And take a full water bottle: hydration is even more important than usual.
Tennis podcasts are having a moment, with a flurry of new offerings and some big names giving entertaining insights into the pro game. Our favourities:
The Tennis Podcast Long-time UK favourite with experienced and engaging commentators covering the pro game with heart, humour and deep expertise. Billie Jean King doesn’t miss an episode.
Served with Andy Roddick The US’s leading tennis podcast goes out weekly and attracts big-name interviews, but candid Roddick isn’t afraid to call ‘foul’.
The Players’ Box New last year and racking up the plays, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jenny Brady, and Desirae Krawczyk bring weekly tennis chat and girl-talk as they raise curtain on life behind the scenes.
Love All Kim Clijsters – four-time Grand Slam winner – with detailed coverage of the women’s game, its back-stories and the fight for recognition of women’s needs.
Nothing Major Sam Querrey, John Isner, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock bring the bants to the pro game (pickleball, too, from former pro Querrey) with the irreverence that only comes from guys who’ve seen it all (except that elusive major win).
Head Coach Chris Howard demonstrates three key techniques to unlock your single-handed backhand – which offers greater reach and slice potential than the double-hander.
You can book a private class with Chris here.
Well, we’re off to get a game in now that spring is finally in the air. But first, a note as International Women’s Week draws to a close that we will be sharing some exciting programme news in a special blog on tennis for girls and women next month.
See you on court!
Website by Dan Stevens