After doing cardio tennis for 6 weeks, I’m noticing changes. First of all are the cardio changes. I am getting to the ball faster, no longer missing the first bounce. I can even play games like ‘find it,’ where after you make 1 point you race over to the other side of the net in time to catch a high ball to hit to the other side. If I’m the one to reach the ball first, I more often than not hit it into the net or out of bounds, resulting in my team having to run back over to the challenger side. (That’s good for cardio, right?) I thought it was my new shoes at first, but I recognize that I am the one making my body move; the shoes just keep me from falling down or hurting my feet.

On the tennis front, my progress is slower. I am learning how to control my arm. First I was always hitting the ball too hard and out of bounds. Then I learned to hit the ball lighter and shorter. Now I’m learning how to hit it hard enough to get it over the net from the baseline without going over the other team’s baseline. I’m also learning how to react quicker. I notice that all the better tennis players in class have a quicker reaction time than those of us who don’t play well, regardless of age or weight.

I know my endurance is up because I can handle three classes a week. But the teacher for the more intense class has been gone for a couple weeks–paternity leave. The real test of my endurance will be when he returns with all the push-ups, squats and shuffling drills. I’ve gotten used to the more tennis intensive coach, so we’ll see.

I still get very embarrassed when I mess up a volley, but I try to smile it off and do better the next time. I still love the challenge of the sport and the great workout. I think this class will be a good vehicle to get me to my weight goal.

What’s your current favorite workout?