Manufactured tennis racquet grip sizes range from less than 4″ for juniors to 4 7/8″ for the largest adult hands. This might not seem like much of a range, but the difference even 1/8″ makes is surprising

The most commonly used method for finding your grip size is by using the following steps:
• On your dominant hand, note that your palm has three main creases.
• Hold your hand flat, with the fingers alongside one another.
• Measure from the middle crease of your palm, up the line between your middle and ring fingers, to a point equal to the height of the tip of your ring finger.

if you’re between an eighth of an inch when you measure and you’re not growing, you’ll be better off going with the smaller grip, as a slightly small grip can be fattened up easily with an overwrap, One thing to keep in mind is that overwraps can’t fatten a grip effectively more than 1/8 of an inch without rounding off of the bevel edges on your handle.

Grip sizes between 4 1/8″ and 4 5/8″ are easy to find in adult racquets. Larger and smaller grips are made for some racquets, but not all. Players with unusually small or large hands often have their racquet handles custom-sized at a pro shop, you May also be able to get a do-it-yourself grip enlargement kit.

If you have a comment or idea for a future blog post please send me an email markb@bumblebeetennis.com

I may never make it to Wimbledon, but that doesn’t stop me and my playing partners from pursuing the sport as a way to keep fit.
Bumblebee Tennis offers a great workout program around the sport called Cardio Tennis, designed to do just that.
Cardio Tennis can be utilized as a fitness or cross-training activity and helps build endurance, strengthen muscles and improves agility.
Cardio Tennis alternates constant stroke patterns with cardiovascular training moves such as foot shuffles, court to midcourt runs, lateral, forward and backward sprints, and an exercise that requires players to hop over and back the court boundary lines.

Beginner players may need more instruction before jumping into Cardio Tennis. We offer an Intro to Tennis class that will provide an overview of the serve, volley, forehand and backhand. In general, Intro to Tennis lessons are great for those who first want to work on their technique before performing tennis drills as well as those who want a review of the basics.

We are offering adult indoor tennis classes this winter for Cardio and Intro to Tennis Programs. Classes in Brooklyn begin in January while Manhattan classes are still being created and soon to follow.

Thanks for reading
Mark

Have a question or an idea for a future blog post. I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email markb@bumblebeetennis.com

Looking for a great exercise that will more directly affect your tennis conditioning?
Try skipping Rope. Boxers have some of the quickest feet in the world and jumping rope is a major part of their training regime. It’s also a great workout that will help develop control, endurance, speed, coordination and strength.

Change things up depending on the season. In the winter try sledding, skiing or snowboarding, summer hiking, biking and swimming are a great way to have fun while getting exercise. Routine family walks are great any time.

The most important thing to remember when exercising with kids is to keep it FUN!

Adult winter classes!

We are we excited to announce that we are very close to finalizing a Manhattan and a Brooklyn location for Adult Winter Tennis.
Brooklyn lessons will be held in the Gym at J.Erricson Jr. High School located close to McCarren Park. We are just finalizing how the nets will be set up (if we will be able to string a full size net without sag or if we need to find another alternative) and should have this location ready for sign up by the end of the week. Classes will be held on Sundays between 12:00 and 2:00 until December 20th for holiday break and then resume January 8th with an extended schedule from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. We will be offering Beginner, Cardio, Intermediate and Private Lessons.

Our Manhattan Location will also be located in a school Gym. We are in the process now of finalizing the location dates and times and hope to have it completed by the end of the week. The facility is upper west side around 70’s Street.

Prices and class set up for both locations are being finalized.

If you know anyone else who may be interested in winter classes please refer them to the follow page or email me at info@bumblebeetennis.com.

Mark
I would love to hear your questions, comments and suggestions for future posts, send me an email info@bumblebeetennis.com

One of the questions I am often asked is “What size racquet should I buy for my child? “

The age of the child should be the first consideration when choosing a racquet. Racquets are available that are made specifically for junior players under the age of 12. Other than construction, the main difference between a kid’s racquet and adult racquet is length. A standard adult racquet is 27 to 28 inches long while junior racquets range from 19 inches to 26 inches in length. The younger the child is the shorter the racquet should be, though it is always better to go with the longest racquet that the child can comfortably handle.

The U.S. Tennis Association recommends racquets 19 inches to 21 inches long for kids ages five and six. Kids age seven and eight should use racquets up to 23 inches long. Nine- and 10-year-olds can use rackets up to 25 inches long. Your child’s height might be better criteria for selecting a racket, with taller children using longer rackets.

Determine the weight of the racquet that is best for your child. The heavier the racquet, the more difficult it will be to swing and hold for an entire lesson.

Ask your child what type of racquet design or color they want can tell you from experience of buying a racquet for my 5 year old recently that this was the most important feature for him.
Hope this helps

Mark

I would love to hear you questions comments or suggestions for future blog posts, send me an email at info@bumblebeetennis.com