Okay, here’s my blog post about whether tennis is good cardio, written from my personal experience:
So, I’ve been trying to up my cardio game lately. I’m not getting any younger, you know? And sitting at a desk all day isn’t exactly helping my fitness levels. I’ve tried jogging, but honestly, I find it so boring. Just putting one foot in front of the other, staring at the same scenery… ugh. I needed something more engaging.
That’s when I thought, “Hey, what about tennis?” I used to play a bit in high school, nothing serious, just messing around with friends. I remembered it being pretty tiring, so maybe it could be a good workout?
Getting Started (Again)
First thing I did was dig out my old racket. It was gathering dust in the attic, looking pretty sad. The grip was all crumbly, so I had to get that replaced. That was a quick trip to the sports store, and while I was there, I grabbed a can of new balls too. Old tennis balls are basically useless.
Next, I needed someone to play with. I texted my buddy Mark, who I knew also played a little back in the day. He was surprisingly up for it! We booked a court at the local park – thankfully, it was free!
The First Session (aka The Humbling)
Let me tell you, the first session was rough. I was way more out of shape than I thought. We started with just some light rallying, trying to get a feel for the ball again. Even that was tiring! My forehand was all over the place, and my backhand? Let’s just say it needs some serious work.
After about 20 minutes of rallying, we decided to play a set. Big mistake. I was gasping for air after the first few games. Chasing down balls, running back and forth, serving… it’s a lot more demanding than it looks! Mark, bless his heart, was being pretty patient, but I could tell he was holding back a bit.
- Serving: Even just tossing the ball up and hitting it uses a surprising amount of energy. It’s a full-body motion, really.
- Running: This is the obvious one. You’re constantly sprinting short distances to reach the ball.
- Swinging: Every swing engages your core, your arms, your shoulders… you feel it everywhere.
We only managed to play one set, and I lost miserably (6-1, if you’re curious). I was completely drenched in sweat, and my legs were burning. But you know what? I also felt great. It was a good kind of tired, the kind that tells you you’ve actually done something.
Keeping it Up (and Seeing Results)
We’ve been playing once a week for about a month now, and I can already feel a difference. I’m not as winded after a set, my shots are getting a little more consistent, and I’m actually starting to win a few games (still haven’t beaten Mark in a set, though!).
I’ve also noticed I have more energy throughout the week, and I’m sleeping better. It’s amazing how much of a difference just one hour of intense physical activity can make.
So, to answer the question “Is tennis good cardio?” – absolutely, YES. It’s a fantastic workout, and it’s way more fun than just running on a treadmill. If you’re looking for a way to get your heart rate up and have some fun at the same time, I highly recommend giving it a try. Just be prepared to be humbled at first! And maybe stretch beforehand… I learned that the hard way.
