Nike Training Center (NTC) - Mobile Fitness App

For fitness and tennis athletes, I found a very good smartphone app - FREE from Nike Training Center on both Android and iTunes. You can even download add-on free bonus videos from Nike Stars, such as Serena Williams!

Each workout has 10-12 different short workouts, with both video and step-by-step images to follow along.

The app even into your Nike+ account so you can track your Nike Fuel, and it also lets you play any songs or playlists you have on your phone while you workout *Not bad - worth checking out*

US Tennis Congress - Top Teaching Pros all in one place (Atlanta, Oct 11-14)

US Tennis Congress - Train with the Top Coaches in America

What: Learn from the Best Tennis Coaches in the USA in one place
When: Oct 11-14, 2013
Where: Atlanta, GA

* Check out their USA Today story published earlier this week!

* The founder P.J. Simmons, is the creator of the site The Road to 4.5 Tennis which I came across several months ago. I highly recommend it to any tennis player who wants to be the best they can be...

* I also believe that with the right training, nutrition and the proper routine *anyone* can play 4.5 level tennis. I have trained under several of these world-class coaches and can personally recommend the quality of their instruction and level of professionalism.

The coaches and speakers at this Tennis Congress have helped me tremendously towards reaching my personal goal of becoming #1 Mid-Atlantic Men's 4.0 Singles (2011-2012)


About USTC:

The idea behind the USTC is simple but new: to give passionate adult recreational players (NTRP level 2.0-5.0+) an inspiring, intensive, in-person opportunity to learn from a world-class faculty about all aspects of training necessary to advance to the next level (technique, movement, strategy, fitness, injury prevention, and mental conditioning)—using both on-court training and innovative and dynamic off-court techniques. What’s most unique is that each US Tennis Congress builds the curriculum around the individual needs of those who take part.

Exclusive Discount Code Discount: Use"JACKYUSTC" when registering

• $100 off the Aces program
• $100 off the Slam program
• $100 off the Grand Slam program

Some useful links if you're gearing up for Playing some USTA Tennis Tournaments soon:

• Tips for Finding the right USTA Tournament for you (Part 1)
• USTA Tournament Navigation Tips (Part 2)

How to Train in Off-Season like Tennis Pros: Free HD Videos

"Prepping Like a Pro" - A Tennis Athlete's Workout

"If you make me strong, I will win." - Andre Agassi

"Prepping Like a Pro" Video Series

Featuring: Yann Auzoux

Former ATP Pro / Legg Mason Doubles / Former ITF #7

Starring: ESPN Flex Appeal's Dan Riser

Former US Men's Fitness Champion /  ESPN Cast Member / Hollywood Body-Double

We were able to train with Yann and Dan at his Holton Arm's HS tennis courts. We appreciate his invitation to perform some of the exercises live. We were asked not to release the YouTube videos to the public.

Happy Thanksgiving: Our Turkey Warmup and Workout Tips

Gobble Gobble! Happy Thanksgiving! Hey Tennis Fans! Here's a quick Pre-Thanksgiving Tennis workout you can do in your own home or tennis court. Here are some easy 5-min warm up exercises - to stay in shape before the big meal this Thanksgiving Thursday Or preemptively burn off a couple pounds, get pumped up for all your holiday shopping on Black Friday* From our Tennis-Bargains Team: "Stay Fit. Shop Smart. Play Tennis" "Prepping Like a Pro" Instructors: Dan Riser - Former US Men's Fitness Champion; has appeared regularly on the show Flex Appeal on ESPN  Yann Auzoux - Former Davis Cup Player for Cameroon, ATP Doubles Champion, and Former ITF #7 in the world.  They have teamed up for this brand new video course together for this "Prepping Like a Pro" Training Course - we're launching it live to the general public very soon this December... Sign up for Full Course Here @ www.FifthSet.com What's Unique about these Training Courses? Tennis-specific Workout Course designed for *Winter Tennis Players*: Stay in tennis-shape off the court Be fit and ready at the top of your game, when you come back on the tennis courts! Strength, conditioning, speed, endurance drills Training Specifically for Tennis - not just a bunch of random P90X and Cross-Fit workouts mixed together... This is exactly what Yann Auzoux himself trains with every week; it's designed for serious tennis players in mind. Special Tennis-Bargains Bonus Offer Tennis-Bargains Facebook Fans: get an extra Free Bonus Session: Here's sneak-peak example, filmed during my workout last weekend with Dan and Yann in this video.  This One-Hour Live Training Session will allow Dan to give you personalized, individual feedback on doing these exercises. *Hurry - spaces are very limited*. Offer is only valid, if these remaining spots in these classes are still available.

Tennis Tools for Winter Training

Tennis Tools for Winter Training (updated)

Balance Trainer: Dynamic Balance

Balance is super important in tennis. If you can make small, minor adjustments to your body position - it is extremely hard for your opponent to wrong foot you. Moving laterally with your feet, while swinging forward with your arms is crucially important as it happens continually during a match.

How to Develop Better Balance
I just got this and love this little blue balance trainer! It's basically like an under-inflated cushion that you try to keep your balance on for as long as possible.  The wobbling nature of the tool forces you to keep your core balance stable in order to stand.  You actually use a lot of muscles to counter-act the forces that are tipping you over.

Creative exercises for tennis
It's actually kind of fun to see how long you can keep your body balanced and centered.  After 5-10 mins with the rubber band drill, your legs will be burning. When it's cold outside or you're limited in space, you have to be creative to stay "fit to hit"! Another drill to try is to side-step on a treadmill while simulating a swing motion with your arms (both forehand and backhand). Here are a few other tennis exercises you can do at home.

Agility Ladder: Foot Speed and Quickness

Great for doing indoor footwork drills with limited space. Just lay it out in the basement or living room and it folds away nicely! Just under $25, you can take anywhere with free shipping from Amazon!

Drills:
Check out some of these great tennis-specific drills on YouTube anyone can do.

SKLZ Ladder:
I highly recommend getting an Agility Ladder that will not snag easily and sturdy enough to last, plus this one even comes with a DVD and carrying bag.

PracticeHit: Master your swing indoors

This little device helps you simulate proper contact and timing on ground strokes, both forehand and backhand.

Easy to use, long term pay-off
Best of all it doesn't take much space and helps you with your balance and coordination tremendously.  In home or gym, all you need is a little corner to put it and just do a few mins a day with it.

You can also build core strength and stability with all these cool workouts you can do with it.

Bosu Ball - Jumping and Split-step exercises

Also featured at www.atpworldtour.com - here are some Tips for the Bosu ball too

As a professional tennis instructor, I can feel how much better my balance is now on one foot or when I get stretched out wide.

The Bosu Ball tool does a great job of isolating muscle groups and keeping you "light on your toes". These exercises can be combined with small dumbbells to add to the intensity of squats, etc.

Read more Tennis-Bargain Product Reviews