Babson Tennis


Playing tennis regularly can improve balance, agility, and cardiovascular strength, according to Jim Berrigan, who has more wins than any other Babson tennis coach in program history. “Tennis is a sport where you’re always learning,” he says. “You can hit balls until you’re blue in the face, but you’ll see better results if you get into better shape.”

Off the Court

Berrigan recommends working from the thighs to the chest: planks, medicine-ball throws, step-ups, and single-leg squats. “Dynamic balance is crucial,” he says. “So many of our activities recruit smaller muscles, like those in the ankle, that you don’t really think about, but are so important for stability and coordination.”

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“Tennis requires you to be moving in balance to catch the ball as cleanly as possible, so training emphasizes going from core to extremity.”

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Take a Spin

Forehands and backhands require twisting the core into the ball. Try three sets of 15 partner trunk rotations to maximize your serve’s power and speed.

 

START HERE

Boston Athletic Club

$45 for a skills-and-drills class (nonmembers), bostonathleticclub.com/tennis.

Structured lessons for beginners and intermediates.

The Tennis Academy at Harvard

$110–$135 for a four-week clinic, thetennisacademy.com.

Skills-and-drills and drill-and-play programs are offered.

 

Check out “Home Team Workouts” to find out how other college teams in Boston get fit.