By Bill Mecca / US Professional Tennis Association/P2

External Relations Pro / Garden City Casino

Allstartennis@optonline.net

Don't be surprised if you walk by a tennis court this summer and hear loud voices and the foot stomping beat of rock and roll music. How unlike the genteel, hushed sport we knew, those days may be gone forever, as the commercial said, it's not your Father's Oldsmobile.

Welcome to the new world of CardioTennis, a fun, group tennis activity that combines tennis with a healthy high-energy cardiovascular workout.

CardioTennis was developed by the Tennis Industry Association in conjunction with the US Tennis Association to help America fight the battle of the bulge. It was introduced to the general public at last year's US Open by spokesperson and fitness expert Denise Austin, a true believer in the benefits of CardioTennis.

Tennis has always been considered a great physical activity if you knew how to play, but with CardioTennis anyone can enjoy tennis and get a full body workout. Now, everybody regardless of tennis skill can lose weight and have fun getting into shape.

CardioTennis activities include a short dynamic warm-up, a cardio workout and a cool-down phase. Each phase is accompanied by music and has drills specifically designed to be fun, challenging and to get you moving and your heart rate pumping. CardioTennis' curriculum allows the participants to burn more calories within short cycles of high intensity workouts and periods of rest.

CardioTennis is not designed to make you a great tennis player, but your game will invariably improve because you will be hitting a lot of forehands, backhands and volleys while you are getting a fun, healthy workout. Since CardioTennis is also a social experience you and your group will laugh, giggle, hit balls, have fun and most importantly improve your health. In fact, in studies done by the industry association, 63% of participants said CardioTennis was a better workout and a huge 79% said that it was more fun than their normal fitness routine.

Wow, tennis, fun, a cardiovascular workout, music, energy, weight loss, socializing - somebody pinch me I must be dreaming. How about you? It's time to get in the game.