Get ready to get your tennis game on

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Get ready to get your tennis game on

Get ready to get your tennis game on

With the coming of spring, many people will hit the courts to participate in their favorite racket sports. Regardless of your preference, you can improve your game by getting your body ready for the quick moves, balance and agility needed. Jessica Loncar (left), a licensed physical therapist and Pilates instructor, and Laura Hicks, a certified STOTT Pilates instructor, demonstrate exercises to help you get ready.

Diagonal pulls with band (part II): Rotate body from the waist away from your partner, bend elbow, then extend arm with your eyes following your arm and hand.

Diagonal Pulls with Band: Improves your backhand and serve; strengthens rotator cuff, muscles around the scapulae and obliques that rotate the body. Face your partner, legs apart, lining up your left feet. Grasp the band, fists together, allowing 1 to 2 feet of slack in the band.

Hamstring: Lying on your back, have partner gently stretch leg back until a comfortable stretch is felt in the back of the thigh. It is normal to feel the stretch in the back of the knee as well.

Diagonal pulls with band (part III): Control your body back to start. Repeat 10 times on both sides. On your own, stand on the band.

Calf: Keeping both heels/feet flat on the ground, lunge forward with back knee straight until a comfortable stretch is felt in the calf area.

Hip flexor: Standing beside your partner, lunge forward with one knee on the ground (place pad under knee if needed) until comfortable stretch is felt in front of hip and thigh. Keep your abdominals tight to create a better stretch. Reach up to meet partner's hand for an increased stretch.

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With the coming of spring, many people will hit the courts to participate in their favorite racket sports. Regardless of your preference, you can improve your game by getting your body ready for the quick moves, balance and agility needed. Jessica Loncar (left), a licensed physical therapist and Pilates instructor, and Laura Hicks, a certified STOTT Pilates instructor, demonstrate exercises to help you get ready.

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