Get out your racquet and burn those calories – if you’re over 45
Last updated 11:46, Wednesday, 03 September 2008
YOUR knees may be getting creaky and your hair a little greyer, but that’s no reason to stop enjoying sport.
And Carlisle City Council is hoping to encourage people to hunt out their tennis racquets and trainers and get on court with a new programme for people in the prime of their life.
If Madonna can dance around in a leotard at 50, then there’s no reason why you can’t don the whites and serve up an ace or two of your own – whether you are getting back to hitting backhands or have never donned the Bjorn Bjorg sweatbands before.
“The City Tennis Programme has been running since January this year and is held at Bitts Park in Carlisle.
“In September a programme for the over 45s will be launched and will hopefully encourage those who would like to get back into tennis or those who would like to try tennis for the first time,” says Garry Schubert, Sport & Physical Activity Officer at the Council.
“It is being developed and funded through Carlisle City Council and the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) through their Junior Tennis Programme. As part of the programme, four new tennis courts have been laid and a Tennis Airdome will be erected over two courts to accommodate tennis provision over the winter period.”
The £280,000 City Tennis project was made possible after £125,000 funding was secured from the Lawn Tennis Association and partner funding agreements were secured by the local authority and it covers all ages and standards.
“The programme has numerous coaching courses running and are available for ages from four years and above through Tots Tennis, Mini Junior Tennis and full court tennis which includes a women’s session on a Friday morning. The programme accommodates all ability levels and since the start has attracted at least 100 participants each week. All the programmes have a qualified coach on hand,” continued Garry.
Tennis ranks in the top five activities for most calories burned per workout.
Just half an hour of singles tennis will burn more calories than someone who uses a rowing machine, rides a stationary bike, does yoga or plays golf.
The game is also good for your heart. A study at Johns Hopkins University in the USA showed that middle-aged men who stayed active in tennis, more than any other activity, had a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular disease as they aged.
And before you can say: “You cannot be serious!” it’s worth remembering that the legendary John McEnroe won the SAP Doubles title in San Jose in 2006 – at the grand age of 47.
The City Tennis Programme is co-ordinated through the Sport & Recreation Section at Carlisle City Council and any enquiries should be directed through Paul Frampton Tel: 01228 817581.
