Benefits of Pilates for Tennis Players
Get a Balanced Body and Avoid Repetitive Strain Injuries
Jul 16, 2009
Anyone who plays tennis, or even just watches Wimbledon once a year, knows the importance of agility, stamina and physical power. A game of tennis not only requires speed but also endurance and concentration. This is where Pilates comes in. Adding Pilates to your training programme will give you the edge when it comes down to those final last deciding match points.
Pilates for Athletes
Many high performance athletes now understand Pilates as a method that helps them focus on developing balanced muscles for better breathing techniques, posture, power and spinal alignment. Lower spinal injuries that often plague serious tennis players can be helped by the spinal alignment and strength training that Pilates gives to the lower back muscles.
Concentration and Agility
Pilates also promotes higher levels of concentration and strength which in turn provide the agility and alertness that a game of tennis requires. Another benefit is that Pilates helps with strength and rotation of the shoulders which in turn adds more power to your serve.
Strengthen Your Shoulders
Pilates workouts are generally tailor made for the individual and take into account each person’s own strengths and weaknesses. Building a balanced body with strength and flexibility in the shoulder muscles as well as strengthening the arches of your feet and your ankles for proper knee support, is important for anyone who regularly takes to the tennis court.
Well Balanced Body
As your new Pilates body builds up strength, your workout can include more cardio combining mental strength and focus. The better your overall physical fitness, the lower the chances are of sustaining any unnecessary injuries during your game. This works for all sports that require a certain level of intensity. Tennis is such a highly competitive sport that it demands a physically aligned and well balanced body.
Repetitive Strain
Any racquet sports, including tennis, require players to use the same hand to hit the ball. This can produce repetitive strain injuries which can often be hard to correct. Repetitive strain can also affect muscles in the head, neck, back, hips, arms and wrist which tend to adopt the same position while playing. Pilates will train the body to strengthen and use these muscles correctly and help avoid injuries
By learning to use your ‘core’, or ‘powerhouse’, you will discover inner body strength you never knew you had. Pilates also helps to create a connection between body and mind, making it easier to balance overall strength and at the same time correct any weaknesses in the body.
